One thing I try to keep in mind when evaluating potential threats from Al Qaeda is that they would never jeopardize a real mission like this, as they are not stupid, and also, they have no problem killing a few Muslims in the process, as they have shown many times before. I doubt, therefore, that they would jeopardize their mission simply to save a few Muslims.

That said, we should always be watching for any clue we can find..

Any attack is, of course, a tragedy.. But this snippet from your above linked article encourages me that we are doing a b etter job at making it difficult to hit the US mainland.

The statement said that al-Qaida does not plan to attack Persian Gulf state: "Our targets are known and American. We will strike U.S. trade in the Gulf."

It is frightening to think what plans al-Qaeda still have for us, and even more frightening to think what our government hasn't done yet to protect us. The cost of freedom may be expensive, but come on...protect us!!

As with everything, we have to let our legislators know loud and clear what we want. That includes protection from Islamic extremists. I know it seems so obvious to us that our government should be mobilizing against this threat, but I really believe we have to spell it out for them. One of the best things the public can do to defend itself right now is to raise the consiousness of all its government officials, from township board to mayor to police chief to congressperson, about the goals and methods of jihad. Educate yourself and then reach out to your elected officials and educate them.