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mraynrand
10-18-2006, 10:14 PM
Website Warns Of Attacks At NFL Games This Weekend
Government Skeptical Of Threat Against NFL Stadiums

(CBS 13 / AP) WASHINGTON A website is claiming that seven NFL football stadiums will be hit with radiological dirty bombs this weekend, but the government on Wednesday expressed doubts about the threat.

The warningt, posted Oct. 12, was part of an ongoing Internet conversation titled "New Attack on America Be Afraid." It mentioned NFL stadiums in New York, Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, Houston, Oakland and Cleveland, where games are scheduled to be held this weekend.

The Homeland Security Department alerted authorities and stadium owners in those cities, as well as the NFL, of the Web message but said the threat was being viewed "with strong skepticism." Officials at the NCAA, which oversees college athletics, said they too had been notified.

Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke said there was no intelligence that indicated such an attack was imminent, and he said the alert was "out of an abundance of caution."

"The department strongly encourages the public to continue to go about their plans, including attending events that involve large public gatherings such as football games," Knocke said.

The FBI also expressed doubt about the threat.

"While the credibility of the threat is questionable, we have passed the information on because it has been carried in some open source reporting," said FBI spokesman Richard Kolko. He said the FBI was discussing the threat with the NFL as "part of our routine discussions this week."

The nation's alert level remains at yellow, signaling an elevated risk of an attack. The threat level for airline flights is at orange, a higher level, where it has been since a foiled plot to bomb U.S.-bound commercial jets was revealed on Aug. 10.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said stadiums around the country "are very well protected through the comprehensive security procedures we have in place, including secure facility perimeters, pat-downs and bag searches."

Officials were made aware of the Web posting on Oct. 16. The threat was timed to be carried out on Sunday, Oct. 22, marking the final day in Mecca of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month.

"The death toll will approach 100,000 from the initial blasts and countless other fatalities will later occur as result from radioactive fallout," according to a copy of the posting that was obtained by The Associated Press.

The bombs, according to the posting, would be delivered to the stadiums in trucks. All but one of the stadiums -- Atlanta -- are open-air arenas, the posting noted, adding: "Due to the open air, the radiological fallout will destroy those not killed in the initial explosion."

Explosions would be nearly simultaneous, the posting said, with the cities specifically chosen in different time zones.

The posting said that al-Qaida would automatically be blamed for the attacks and predicted, "Later, through al-Jazeera, Osama bin Laden will issue a video message claiming responsibility for what he dubbed 'America's Hiroshima."'

Tony Wyllie, the vice president of communications for the Houston Texans, said the team had been in contact with the NFL regarding what security precautions should be taken for Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In Indianapolis, where the Colts were preparing for a home game this weekend, head coach Tony Dungy said, "I've been waiting for this to happen for a couple of years now and you try and handle the security and put it out of your mind."

"We'll let the security people do their job, and we'll do our job," Dungy said. "We've got a lot of confidence in NFL security and our own security here."

Amy Trask, CEO of the Oakland Raiders, said, "We work closely with a number of governmental agencies, including the FBI, and with the NFL on an ongoing basis."

Stacey Osburn, associate director of public relations for the NCAA, said the organization passed the warning to members "so that they may take the appropriate precautions."

The postings were made on a Web site dubbing itself "The Friend Society," which links to various online conversations and off-color cartoons.

Authorities traced the site's Internet provider back to Voxel Dot Net Inc., which has support and engineering staff based in Troy, N.Y. A man who answered the phone at Voxel, who declined to give his name, said he was unaware of the posted threat on the Web site and refused further comment.

The author of the threats, posted at 9:31 p.m. EDT on Oct. 12, identified himself online as "javness."

"In the aftermath civil wars will erupt across the world, both in the Middle East and within the United States," javness wrote. "Global economies will screech to a halt. General chaos will rule."

Fellow online posters sounded skeptical about the claims.

"This isn't something you should joke about," a poster identified as "Kim Possible" wrote in response almost two hours later. "If you are (serious) about this may I see your sources. Unless you're a psychic."

The Oakland Raiders are scheduled to play the St. Louis Rams at McAfee Stadium in Oakland at 1:15 p.m.

mraynrand
10-18-2006, 10:15 PM
I realize this is not a laughing matter, but if a dirty bomb goes off in Cleveland, will anyone really be able to tell the difference?

b bulldog
10-18-2006, 10:16 PM
Raider fans may finally have something to get excited about.

gbpackfan
10-18-2006, 10:22 PM
If you cant laugh at death threats, what can you laugh at? :shock:

b bulldog
10-18-2006, 10:25 PM
In all seriousness, this would be an awful thing to take place but hopefully this never pans out and is just a hoax.

Fosco33
10-18-2006, 10:26 PM
Sorry, I posted this at the exact same time as you did... Here's my take....

If something like that ever happened - especially with GB in Miami on Sunday - I'd quit my job Monday and either be a strategic military consultant or work for US intelligence - for free.

Why do we keep hitting the snooze button? Sure, it was probably just some dumbass kid somewhere but that shit isn't funny.

It makes you wonder what we, as average US citizens, really know what our gov't doesn't want us to know. Heck, maybe there was a credible threat and we found/disabled these people and as a back story they release this in order to not freak out citizens/fans while taking increased focus on already high security at stadiums.

Man, this shit really pisses me off. :mad:

potsdam_11
10-18-2006, 10:54 PM
It's Phony, just as I suspected,..

I ran a search the topic at Urban Legends, and here's what I found. It seems as though this whole "dirty-bomb" threat started out as an internet based ploy during the last MLB strike; and was promoted as a urological bomb strike by upset fans across the nation. The original plan called for an organized attack at several major stadiums around the country, including New York, Atlanta, Houston, and Oakland. The attack was timed to occur during the Playoffs, which explains why the story would resurface at this time. On Oct 22, at precisely 12 Noon, EST, participants would sneak into the designated "target" parks and urinate on home plate.

The plan collapsed when it was discovered that most of the target stadiums never actually installed home plate, due to the players strike.

superfan
10-18-2006, 11:32 PM
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said stadiums around the country "are very well protected through the comprehensive security procedures we have in place, including secure facility perimeters, pat-downs and bag searches."

I'm not buying this quote. 70,000+ fans enter a stadium over a two hour period. There's no way each and every fan has been thoroughly screened before entering. I rarely get more than a cursory glance.

I've always thought stadiums would be relatively easy targets. Definitely a scary thought.

Partial
10-18-2006, 11:35 PM
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said stadiums around the country "are very well protected through the comprehensive security procedures we have in place, including secure facility perimeters, pat-downs and bag searches."

I'm not buying this quote. 70,000+ fans enter a stadium over a two hour period. There's no way each and every fan has been thoroughly screened before entering. I rarely get more than a cursory glance.

I've always thought stadiums would be relatively easy targets. Definitely a scary thought.

That's surprising. While I am a relatively shiesty looking fellow, I tend to get rubbed down front and back pretty well at Badger games.

Bretsky
10-18-2006, 11:36 PM
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said stadiums around the country "are very well protected through the comprehensive security procedures we have in place, including secure facility perimeters, pat-downs and bag searches."

I'm not buying this quote. 70,000+ fans enter a stadium over a two hour period. There's no way each and every fan has been thoroughly screened before entering. I rarely get more than a cursory glance.

I've always thought stadiums would be relatively easy targets. Definitely a scary thought.

That's surprising. While I am a relatively shiesty looking fellow, I tend to get rubbed down front and back pretty well at Badger games.

Key is to pick a cute usher for the rubdown

FritzDontBlitz
10-18-2006, 11:46 PM
have you noticed that we never hear about any of this stuff unless its an election year?

cpk1994
10-19-2006, 10:08 AM
It appears our threat maker is a Milwaukeeite. From JSO:

City resident questioned in NFL threats
Washington - The FBI was interviewing a Milwaukee resident today believed to be responsible for posting what officials think are phony threats on a Web site about radiological dirty bomb attacks on NFL stadiums this weekend.

The person, described only as a young adult, did not appear to have any ties to terrorist groups, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing.

The threats, which were posted on the Internet site a week ago, were not seen as credible and were not backed up by intelligence indicating an attack might be imminent, according to the FBI and the Homeland Security Department.

Homeland Security on Wednesday alerted the NFL and authorities in New York, Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, Houston, Oakland and Cleveland, saying they were acting "out of an abundance of caution."

Alright, which one of you did it? :mrgreen:

GBRulz
10-19-2006, 10:22 AM
figures, they have to be from WI :roll:

Maybe they were a visiting Bear fan?

mraynrand
10-19-2006, 10:24 AM
Alright, which one of you did it? :mrgreen:

Lawyer Joe?

mraynrand
10-19-2006, 10:32 AM
Key is to pick a cute usher for the rubdown
I got rubbed down for what seemed like an extra long time by some lady at the Detroit game. It was disturbing and exciting all at the same time. I feel unclean.

GBRulz
10-19-2006, 10:48 AM
I got rubbed down for what seemed like an extra long time by some lady at the Detroit game. It was disturbing and exciting all at the same time. I feel unclean.

So, are you trying to tell us that you decided to go through the security line again? :wink:

the_idle_threat
10-19-2006, 11:07 AM
It appears our threat maker is a Milwaukeeite. From JSO:

City resident questioned in NFL threats
Washington - The FBI was interviewing a Milwaukee resident today believed to be responsible for posting what officials think are phony threats on a Web site about radiological dirty bomb attacks on NFL stadiums this weekend.

The person, described only as a young adult, did not appear to have any ties to terrorist groups, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing.

The threats, which were posted on the Internet site a week ago, were not seen as credible and were not backed up by intelligence indicating an attack might be imminent, according to the FBI and the Homeland Security Department.

Homeland Security on Wednesday alerted the NFL and authorities in New York, Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, Houston, Oakland and Cleveland, saying they were acting "out of an abundance of caution."

Alright, which one of you did it? :mrgreen:

:oops:

It was screen-name profiling!

KYPack
10-19-2006, 11:31 AM
Alright, which one of you did it? :mrgreen:

Lawyer Joe?

That's an idea!

GrnBay007
10-20-2006, 06:10 PM
Grocery store clerk charged in stadium hoax

Associated Press



NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - A 20-year-old grocery store clerk who authorities say amused himself by posting prank Internet warnings of terrorist attacks against NFL stadiums was arrested Friday on federal charges that could bring five years behind bars.

Jake J. Brahm was accused of writing that radioactive "dirty bombs" would be detonated this weekend at seven football stadiums. He admitted posting the same threat about 40 times on various Web sites between September and Wednesday, authorities said.
The Wauwatosa man surrendered to federal authorities and appeared in court in Milwaukee later in the day.

"These types of hoaxes scare innocent people, cost business resources and waste valuable homeland security resources. We cannot tolerate this Internet version of yelling fire in a crowded theater in the post-9/11 era," said U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie in Newark, N.J., where Brahm was charged in a sealed complaint filed Thursday. One of the stadiums mentioned was Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

Brahm was charged with making a terrorist threat over the Internet, which carries a maximum five-year prison sentence and $250,000 fine. When the potential sentence was read in court Friday afternoon, his mother, Valerie Brahm, with whom he lives, closed her eyes and put her hand over her mouth.

U.S. Magistrate Patricia Gorence released Jake Brahm without bail, citing his spotless record and strong community ties. She prohibited him from using the Internet or traveling outside Wisconsin and New Jersey, where his lawyer said he plans to make a court appearance.

When reporters asked him for comment after the hearing, Brahm smiled and laughed but said nothing.

Brahm's attorney, Patrick Knight, said after the hearing that his client was shocked by the way the threats were received. He described Brahm as quiet and gentle and said he had not seen anything to indicate Brahm meant any real harm.

"When you're a 20-year-old, and you roll a snowball, and the next thing you know, it's as big as a house rolling down a hill, it surprises you a bit," Knight said.

Richard Ruminski, the FBI agent in charge of the Milwaukee office, said Brahm thought posting the threats would be funny.

"As I understand it, Mr. Brahm had put out this threat thinking it was so preposterous that no one would take it seriously," Ruminski said. "Unfortunately, he was wrong."

The warnings briefly set off a scare this week, before federal authorities announced the warnings were a hoax.

Wauwatosa police Chief Barry Weber said Brahm had bragged to friends about his actions.

An FBI official in Washington, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the case is still under investigation, told The Associated Press that Brahm acknowledged doing it as part of a "writing duel" with a man from Texas to see who could post the scariest threat.

One of the threats, dated Oct. 12, appeared on the Web site "The Friend Society," which links to various online forums and off-color cartoons. Its author, identified in the message as "javness," said that trucks would deliver radiological bombs Sunday to stadiums in Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, Houston, Cleveland, Oakland, Calif., and the New York City area, and that Osama bin Laden would claim responsibility.

On a separate blog under Brahm's name, the writer posted a photo of a football stadium next to a list of goals for 2006, which included committing a felony and "trying to leave the house at least twice a week."

Brahm worked at Outpost Natural Foods, a co-op near his house. "He was a normal guy. That's all we're going to say at this time," said Jeremy Layman, assistant manager.

Mallory McKenney, who graduated a year before Brahm from Wauwatosa East High School, said: "He was quiet but always seemed friendly whenever we were in a group of people together."

Erik Vasys, an FBI spokesman in San Antonio, said there would be no charges against the Texas man because he did not take part in the writing of the threats.


Anyone here a grocery store clerk????? :wink:

GoPackGo
10-20-2006, 06:13 PM
so he was from milwaukee or new jersey?

the_idle_threat
10-20-2006, 07:17 PM
Wauwatosa = suburb of Milwaukee.

Fosco33
10-20-2006, 10:13 PM
Since I'm from GTown and have cousins that went to East, I bet I'm one person removed from knowing him (friend of a friend or family member of a friend of an acquaintance).

Crazy stuff - and like I said first - it was probably just some dumb kid.

What makes him even dumber was going to the cops and admitting it before getting a lawyer. :crazy:

Should he get 5 years? Maybe - will he serve any time at all - probably not given the nature of it and his background.

Fosco33
10-20-2006, 10:46 PM
Google this kid. I'm not gonna access some of these sites b/c they are a bit off color. Put it this way - he's an odd duck.

Ok, so the paper grabbed some of the highlights from his blog. They didn't report a lot of it (probably the 'off color' joke comments). Let's just say this kid would think the Garbage Can looks like Pee Wee's playhouse. From his statements, his Dad lost his business, his Mom is a jailbird, his twin sister and him have verbal fantasy exchanges (if you know what I mean), the kid loves himself (if you know what I mean), he fantasizes about aliens and terrorism constantly. He's one of those antisocial kids who knows he's not popular so he lives in his fantasy computer world but also is a musician (very, very creative writer - very disturbing topics - likes to get a rise out of people probably). If he's done half the things he's stated, he could probably be charged with lots of other crimes (rape, childporn (17 year olds), etc, etc.). His PC will be filled with it. In the blog, he posted about losing his harddrive and documented the weird illegal stuff that was on it - if he hasn't ditched it yet, the Feds will fix it for him.

I take back that he shouldn't go to jail. Jail would be the best thing for him. He needs a very serious reality check.

And, he does like Brett Favre and the Packers BTW.

GrnBay007
10-21-2006, 12:15 AM
Generally the Feds hand out much harsher punishments than the State systems. I think it said he had no priors but even so, because of the magnitude and media attention of this I think he'll do some time at Club Fed. Might not be much, but some time and some supervised release afterward.

Fosco33
10-22-2006, 10:14 AM
This kid is pretty much (in)famous now with this stunt - anyone else as interested in how messed up this kid and the story has become...

The gov't pays people (think tanks) to develop these scenarios. Maybe they need to hire this kid while he's in Club Fed (like they do with hackers).

Badgerinmaine
10-23-2006, 07:34 AM
so he was from milwaukee or new jersey?
Charges were filed against him in federal court in NJ because that's the site (Giants Stadium) of one of the threats.

I just hope there aren't a bunch of idiot copycatters wasting the police's time after this.