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General discussion

National Guard soldier charged with trying to aid al Qaeda

Feb 12, 2004 10:34PM PST
Soldier held on suspicion of aiding al Qaeda

(CNN) -- A National Guard soldier at Fort Lewis, Washington, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of trying to pass information about military capabilities to al Qaeda through an Internet chat room, U.S. military officials said.

Discussion is locked

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Uh oh
Feb 12, 2004 10:38PM PST

National Guard

Bush

There's gotta be a way to blame it on him!

Evie Wink

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Say, Evie...
Feb 13, 2004 3:55AM PST

Say, Evie, do you think he might try to say that it was O.K. because it is an "unjust war"? (grin- couldn't resist that one)

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Re:National Guard soldier charged with trying to aid al Qaeda
Feb 12, 2004 10:57PM PST

If true, at least was caught first.

And at least was publically arrested, not hauled off in secret. I still am troubled by some of the secretacy allowed by the security laws passed since 9/11. I think many across the political spectrum share that unease.

Wonder if they were watching him and his activities or the chat room? I suspect that they'll keep most of it out of the news if possible.

A serious charge, and if proven, the act will have to be taken seriously. I really can't understand why anyone would take such a risk in a chat room though. Thoughtless move.

roger

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Re: National Guard soldier charged with trying to aid al Qaeda
Feb 13, 2004 3:36AM PST

Hi, Roger.

>> Law enforcement personnel were monitoring the chat room looking for people who might try to give up information, and Anderson allegedly tried to offer some to al Qaeda, according to sources. <<

I wonder why he converted to Islam -- he certainly doesn't look like a typical American convert!

-- Dave K.
Speakeasy Moderator
click here to email semods4@yahoo.com

The opinions expressed above are my own,
and do not necessarily reflect those of CNET!

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Re:'...typical American convert!' ? what is typical American convert to Islam?
Feb 13, 2004 2:38PM PST

Quess my first post question was were they watching the chat room and caught him?

Or were they following him (virtually in this case) and so were in the chat room?

Did their susipcions of the chat room come from elsewhere or becuase they were already suspicious of him?

Probably never know. I expect attempt to get moved off front page by authorities. Make it low key, not news worthy, while they deal with it.

roger

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Ok, after some sleep, it does sound like they were watching the room
Feb 13, 2004 10:10PM PST

not following him into chat room.

And I forgot to include in post any more explanation about my question in the subject line.

"I wonder why he converted to Islam -- he certainly doesn't look like a typical American convert!"

What does a typical American convert look like Dave? And noted in couple post down are several possible reasons for anyone to convert to any religion. And it may have not been any of them.

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I don't know, but I'll bet there a few mainframes somewhere that monitor
Feb 17, 2004 4:49AM PST

everything on the internet for items of interest. Ditto with cell phones and, maybe, regular phones.

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Re:National Guard soldier charged with trying to aid al Qaeda
Feb 13, 2004 2:25AM PST

RE..Sources said Anderson converted to Islam several years ago.

Sure makes it hard to keep an open mind regarding Islam and Muslims.

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Well, it makes it hard at least when is someone who grew up here converts
Feb 13, 2004 2:43PM PST

Some may be honest personal revelation.

Some may be for marriage reasons.

But wonder now if some will be the disgruntled citizen type?

Hmmm, ironic that Cassius Clay became a Mulsim and a conscientious objecter to killing and applied for a military deferment in light of today's events isn't it.

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Ali didn't want to kill people, just beat them up. ;-) nt
Feb 16, 2004 10:26PM PST

.

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Re:Ali didn't want to kill people, just beat them up. ;-) nt
Feb 16, 2004 10:30PM PST

"Of course Ali had a rather unusual job -- beating people up -- but the government wanted him to change jobs. The government wanted him to kill people. And Ali said, 'Naaa, that's where I have to draw the line. I'll beat 'em up but I don't want to kill 'em.' And the government said, 'well if you won't kill 'em, we won't let you beat 'em up!'"

-- George Carlin

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Points for Josh! ;-)
Feb 17, 2004 12:00AM PST

I was wondering of anyone else would remember that.

Dan

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(NT) so we should have made him an interrogator? (j/k folks)
Feb 17, 2004 12:52AM PST
Wink
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Re:Re:Ali didn't want to kill people, just beat them up. ;-) nt
Feb 17, 2004 1:28AM PST

Boy, thats one Boxer {Ali whats his name) I cound not stand. Everytime I saw him on TV I wanted to put my fist through the TV. Him and his big mouth "I am the Greatest" "Sting like Bee"

Good Fighter, but almost ruined the Sport.

George

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Re:Re:Re:Ali didn't want to kill people, just beat them up. ;-) nt
Feb 17, 2004 2:58AM PST

He was a great boxer, perhaps the greatest of all time. Certainly the best in the last 40 years.

Dan

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Re:Re:Re:Re:Ali didn't want to kill people, just beat them up. ;-) nt
Feb 17, 2004 3:08AM PST

Yes, he was Dan. But also a Real {Bleep bleep}. He did'nt do anything good for the sport or the Country for that matter.

George

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He did great things for the sport.
Feb 17, 2004 4:23AM PST

He brought a personality and excitement that had been missing. It got people talking and raised the profile of boxing beyond the Thursday night fights at the armory.

Did he do anything good for the country? He stood by his moral and religious beliefs even though it cost him his treasure and freedom. Certainly a good example in that.

Dan

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Yaa, that's pretty much how it works. Break the law and you go to jail.
Feb 17, 2004 4:53AM PST

Some, including Cassius, thought it was worth it.

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I'm sure you admire his standing up for his moral/religious principles. nt
Feb 17, 2004 5:35AM PST

.

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Re:National Guard soldier charged with trying to aid al Qaeda
Feb 13, 2004 4:12AM PST

Very Odd. The article said " They were preparing to deploy for final training in CA before it departs for a tour of duty in Iraq"

Why would he want to give this info to the al Qaeda if getting ready to ship out to that same area. Sounds like he wanted out, and knew he would get caught. They have'nt said whether he actually transmitted the info.

I've seen some pretty wild stunts to get out of an overseas shipment, but this takes the cake.

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Save us from religious zealots!
Feb 16, 2004 10:27PM PST

.

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Sirhan Sirhan
Feb 17, 2004 12:18AM PST

I wonder how well at the time America understood the connection between his crime and the world of radical Islam? I don't remember it being mentioned as a motivating force for him. Was it?

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Re:Sirhan Sirhan
Feb 17, 2004 12:55AM PST

Sirhan was anti-Israel, but mostly he was just nuts. If you look at the background stuff, you'll find an obsession with RFK that gradually escalated until it reached murderous rage.

I don't think his religion played an inordinate role.