Napolitano: Terror Threat Highest Since 9/11 (translation: pick it up a notch, Walmart shoppers!)

By Doug Powers  •  February 9, 2011 04:18 PM

**Written by Doug Powers

Time for a strongly worded letter to customers at Walmart, because it doesn’t sound as if they’re being nearly vigilant enough:

Radicalized U.S. residents willing to carry out attacks with “little or no warning” have helped create one of the biggest terrorist threats in years, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said today.

“The terrorist threat to the homeland is in many ways at its most heightened state since 9/11,” she said in prepared testimony for a hearing of the House Homeland Security Committee in Washington.

Al-Qaeda affiliates and allies increasingly are trying to recruit Westerners or those with ties to the U.S. and Europe, Napolitano said. The recruits include Pakistani immigrant Faisal Shahzad, who tried to set off a bomb in New York’s Times Square in May, she said.

Wasn’t everybody supposed to love America by now? And no, I’m not going to make a cheap crack about James Clapper being unaware of the Times Square bomb attempt last year — he was briefed about it over a week ago.

On the lighter side of this subject, when it comes to satire that’s often too close to the mark for comfort, you can always count on The Onion:

WASHINGTON—Following Monday’s deadly terrorist attack on a Carnival Cruise Line ship, U.S. officials have had difficulty issuing a stern condemnation of the incident, saying that while any act of terrorism is inexcusable, they couldn’t completely blame al-Qaeda for wanting to blow up what is essentially a giant, floating symbol of everything that is truly god-awful about America.

The ship, a 15-deck, $740 million vessel that slowly traveled up and down the Atlantic Ocean while its passengers continuously ate and drank—referred to by Carnival as a “fun ship”—was destroyed in an act U.S. authorities have said is “not completely senseless” and “actually makes a pretty solid point about American excess run amuck.”

**Written by Doug Powers

Twitter @ThePowersThatBe

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Comments


  1. #1
    On February 9th, 2011 at 4:19 pm, Teddy Kennedy said:

    Perhaps the would be terrorist don’t shop at Wal-Mart, then what’s Nappy going to do??!!

  2. #2
    On February 9th, 2011 at 4:30 pm, hawkeye54 said:

    Perhaps the would be terrorist don’t shop at Wal-Mart

    Maybe not in your neighborhood, but judging from the typical shoppers I’ve seen in my neighborhood Walmart…mmm, could be.

  3. #3
    On February 9th, 2011 at 4:36 pm, letget said:

    Dear sis, are we about to have a ‘real crisis’ coming here? The type of crisis bho has to get control of the internet and all news outlets(Fox is the only one in your sights), all radio shows(Rush, Hannity, and many other conservative thinkers), and get the fbi to investigate any and all who do not think bho is all that wonderful(Tea Party members)? Does this mean dear sis, guns are a no no for American’s to defend their families? Dear sis, how about you deal with the southern borders to keep the bad guys coming in here? I see something daily and bho and team are not doing anything to make America safer, SUGAR pie!
    L

  4. #4
    On February 9th, 2011 at 4:43 pm, TooMuchTime said:

    Perhaps the would be terrorist don’t shop at Wal-Mart…

    Most terrorists in this country shop at stores that sell organic vegetables grown no more than 100 miles distant. (Except the 100 milers keep giving themselves “waivers.”)

  5. #5
    On February 9th, 2011 at 4:44 pm, NJ-Aviator said:

    Yup. Impossible to have an elevated threat level.

    With Obama in office, no one hates us anymore. It was all Bush’s fault.

    Obama and his crew said so during the election. It’s a fact.

  6. #6
    On February 9th, 2011 at 4:49 pm, Hangfire said:

    The home-grown terrorist threat from the Tea Party will undoubtedly decrease significantly when President Obama quits beginning his speeches with:

    “Hello, MORTALS.”

  7. #7
    On February 9th, 2011 at 4:52 pm, babiesgrandma said:

    I always get a chuckle when I see the picture of Big SISsy with her eyes closed (next to this column). I know she’s not praying, so yes, yes, it must show that she has x-ray vision and can see all is very vigilant.

  8. #8
    On February 9th, 2011 at 4:57 pm, Virginia Patriot said:

    We will continue to be threatened as long as an illegitimate usurper occupies the Oval Office.

  9. #9
    On February 9th, 2011 at 5:01 pm, RedDog said:

    I’m all for “If you see something, say something.” Hearkens back to the WWII days when government was serious about kicking enemy ass. But Big Sis would inspire more confidence if her actions did not contantly smack of being in a hyperventilating CYA mode.

    When the dirty bomb hits will she have a contingency plan to blame it on George Bush and Dick Cheney?

  10. #10
    On February 9th, 2011 at 5:05 pm, RedDog said:

    On February 9th, 2011 at 4:57 pm, Virginia Patriot said:
    We will continue to be threatened as long as an illegitimate usurper occupies the Oval Office.

    Virginia, do I have to fly to Hawaii myself and get his birth certificate? Get a life. He is as American as Harry Belefonte, or Idi Amin.

  11. #11
    On February 9th, 2011 at 5:08 pm, Virginia Patriot said:

    RedDog,
    Unless his real birth certificate shows a different father than the one he claims, he was born a British subject, dual citizen, not natural born citizen.

    The birth certificate is only needed if it shows he’s a complete fraud.
    He’s already admitted he’s ineligible.

  12. #12
    On February 9th, 2011 at 5:09 pm, Virginia Patriot said:

    Let’s run Bobby Jindal and see if the Democrats are so accomodating…..

  13. #13
    On February 9th, 2011 at 5:11 pm, TooMuchTime said:

    When the dirty bomb hits will she have a contingency plan to blame it on George Bush and Dick Cheney?

    Well, we know the liberal media will. They already have the story written; they’re just waiting for the event to happen so they can sell more papers or get more viewers. Kind of like how they blamed 9/11 on Clinton’s mistakes.

    Oh, wait. Nevermind!

  14. #14
    On February 9th, 2011 at 5:15 pm, TooMuchTime said:

    Unless his real birth certificate shows a different father than the one he claims…

    There’s the rub. No one really knows just who his parents are. He may not even know. Personally, I believe that Ann Dunham is his half-sister and Stanley is his father. Unfortunately, we don’t have Ann’s DNA to check. I’ll bet it would show a sibling relationship rather than a parent/child one.

  15. #15
    On February 9th, 2011 at 5:28 pm, Virginia Patriot said:

    He may still be an Indonesian citizen by the name of Barry Sotoero. What if Grandma didn’t bother doing any paperwork when he was sent back from Indonesia, where he was an Indonesian citizen after his adoption by Lolo?

  16. #16
    On February 9th, 2011 at 5:30 pm, One_American said:

    Oh really, Mz. Jan-Nap?

    What color would you rate this current threat? Fluorescent Red?

    Oh wait. She recently scrapped that system. Maybe we’ve switched from colors to scents…

  17. #17
    On February 9th, 2011 at 5:31 pm, glockomatic said:

    Radicalized U.S. residents

    A little vague here. Maybe J-Nap can help us narrow it down some. What kind of radicals are we talking about here, hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?

  18. #18
    On February 9th, 2011 at 5:50 pm, Hannibal said:

    #1 On February 9th, 2011 at 4:19 pm, Teddy Kennedy said:

    Perhaps the would be terrorist don’t shop at Wal-Mart,…..

    Does anyone here know? Do muslims shop at Piggly Wiggly?

  19. #19
    On February 9th, 2011 at 5:55 pm, babiesgrandma said:

    Hannibal said: muslims shop at Piggly Wiggly?

    I get it! That was funny, Hannibal!

  20. #20
    On February 9th, 2011 at 5:57 pm, Pasadena Phil said:

    It means they are relaxing border control again to create a situation justifying Egyptian-style crackdown.

  21. #21
    On February 9th, 2011 at 6:11 pm, floridaobserver said:

    Uh, don’t they sell guns and ammo at Walmart? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

  22. #22
    On February 9th, 2011 at 6:20 pm, spaceycakes said:

    a giant, floating symbol of everything that is truly god-awful about America.

    if America is so ‘god-awful’ why the rest of the world be hatin’ us playahs?

  23. #23
    On February 9th, 2011 at 7:15 pm, John Deaux said:

    Personally, I think the problem is in the messaging. We need to explain it a little better why they should love us. Perhaps a graphic novel or pop-up book?

  24. #24
    On February 9th, 2011 at 7:21 pm, rocketman said:

    ***
    Our clueless “head” of the Department of (not much) Homeland Security was in my city of El Paso, Tx. last week at UTEP. She reassured us that all is O.K on the U.S. side of the frontera with Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico–the second most dangerous city in the world.
    ***
    This is the same clown who stated that “the system worked” when the BVD bomber failed to properly light off his shorts on an airliner over Detroit over a year ago. He got through all the checks, inspections, counter terrorism B.S, etc.
    ***
    Ten or more people are murdered in Juarez every day. Thousands died in 2010. Most of my ex Mexican (now U.S. Citizen) wife’s large family has had someone murdered, kidnapped, robbed, etc. Or has seen them abandon their businesses and move in with family members in El Paso.
    ***
    Today’s local news is filled with the story of the two U.S. Citizen Cathedral High School boys who were murdered in Juarez when they went to a family party there. They made the mistake of going there–and then going to a car dealer to look for a good used car to buy.
    ***
    JNO may not think that this drug fueled violence affects our side of the border. There are a hell of a lot of U.S. Citizens burying their dead here–two more tomorrow.
    ***
    And at some point the drug gangs and their ilk on both sides of the border may start robberies, kidnappings, and shootings in El Paso.
    ***
    John Bibb
    ***

  25. #25
    On February 9th, 2011 at 7:42 pm, plymouthacclaim said:

    Hey, all that violence in Mexico is the fault of law-abiding US gun owners and the Second Amendment. The reason that the drug gangs have rocket launchers is the revolver in your drawer. /LiberalLogic

    Liberalism IS a mental disorder.

  26. #26
    On February 9th, 2011 at 9:06 pm, rightisright said:

    “If you see something, say something.”

    It’s been said by Americans who have been seeing these criminals sneak into our country for years, now get off lazy, fat, a$$ and close the damn boarders you incompetent hag.

    Can I say that, guess so I just did.

  27. #27
    On February 9th, 2011 at 9:19 pm, Flyoverman said:

    This warning was prompted by a DHS analysis of the last election’s results.

    The results indicates the country is overrun with domestic terrorists.

  28. #28
    On February 10th, 2011 at 6:10 am, tbear44 said:

    On February 9th, 2011 at 7:42 pm, plymouthacclaim said:
    Hey, all that violence in Mexico is the fault of law-abiding US gun owners and the Second Amendment. The reason that the drug gangs have rocket launchers is the revolver in your drawer. /LiberalLogic

    Liberalism IS a mental disorder.

    Just a “heads up” for you Nappytano. There is a frikkin’ war on our southern border! Don’t you think we should send some troops there?

  29. #29
    On February 10th, 2011 at 9:05 am, Teddy Kennedy said:

    Errah, I would think a terrorist would find more useful stuff for his trade at the local Home Depot rather that cheap sneakers, junk electronics and jumbo bags of Dorritos from his local Wal-Mart. Maybe Nappy has advanced intelligence on the dreaded Cheetos/Mentos/Diet Coke bomb.

  30. #30
    On February 10th, 2011 at 9:46 am, shimauma2 said:

    Sounds like Barry Young at KFYI 550 stole this article too as I was driving in this morning. Maybe if they weren’t kissing mccain’s backside so much they’d have the brain power to come up with their own news stories.

  31. #31
    On February 10th, 2011 at 11:01 am, corkie said:

    I question the timing.

    She’s simply trying to create fear in America in order to keep Bush in power.

  32. #32
    On February 10th, 2011 at 5:15 pm, floridaobserver said:

    On February 10th, 2011 at 11:01 am, corkie said:
    I question the timing.

    She’s simply trying to create fear in America in order to keep Bush in power.

    Bush?

  33. #33
    On April 11th, 2011 at 9:28 am, Teddy Kennedy said:

    Errah, Since most Wal-Marts are in the vast Middle America flyover section of the country, Nappy probably only gets the one off Merle or Billy Bob “buying to much ammo with his copy of a bible” reports. Remember Dem socialist don’t want Wal-Marts in their civilized communities. Just ask Rosie “ate a” Mcodonnell’s

  34. #34
    On April 11th, 2011 at 5:41 pm, Whirled Peas said:

    The sky is falling! The sky is falling! The southern border is NOT as safe as I thought it was!

    Stay away from Wal-Mart! It’s a terrorist hangout (80 yr old greeter). You think that might tank their stock price?

  35. #35
    On April 11th, 2011 at 5:45 pm, Whirled Peas said:

    On February 9th, 2011 at 4:52 pm, babiesgrandma said:

    I always get a chuckle when I see the picture of Big SISsy with her eyes closed (next to this column). I know she’s not praying, so yes, yes, it must show that she has x-ray vision and can see all is very vigilant.

    I used to crack up when she first started reading her speeches. Every time she looked up from the prepared text, it was like she couldn’t control her eyes and they always ended up looking at the ceiling. I knew at that time she was an escapee from the mental ward!

  36. #36
    On April 11th, 2011 at 5:57 pm, Whirled Peas said:

    Virginia, do I have to fly to Hawaii myself and get his birth certificate? Get a life. He is as American as Harry Belefonte, or Idi Amin.

    ROTFLMFAO!! You guys crack me up!!! Dayyyo! DAAAAAaaaayooo! Daylite come an me wan go home!

    BTW and WTF!… Who IS Barry Soetoro? (aka Our Dear Son, Excellency, Baraka Hussein Abu Oumama, Mohamar Quadaffi)

    Hell everyone else spells it differently, why can’t I??
    )

  37. #37
    On April 11th, 2011 at 6:05 pm, Whirled Peas said:

    On February 9th, 2011 at 5:08 pm, Virginia Patriot said:

    RedDog,
    Unless his real birth certificate shows a different father than the one he claims, he was born a British subject, dual citizen, not natural born citizen.

    Frank Marshall Davis, perhaps? In the halcyon days of ‘free love’, threesomes (or moresomes) weren’t totally out of the question.

    Just sayin’.

    **********************
    Who IS Barry Soetoro? (aka “Our Dear Son, Excellency, Baraka Hussein Abu Oumama”, Mohamar Quadaffi)

  38. #38
    On April 11th, 2011 at 6:16 pm, Whirled Peas said:

    On February 9th, 2011 at 5:15 pm, TooMuchTime said:

    Unless his real birth certificate shows a different father than the one he claims…

    There’s the rub. No one really knows just who his parents are. He may not even know. Personally, I believe that Ann Dunham is his half-sister and Stanley is his father. Unfortunately, we don’t have Ann’s DNA to check. I’ll bet it would show a sibling relationship rather than a parent/child one.

    On February 9th, 2011 at 5:28 pm, Virginia Patriot said:

    He may still be an Indonesian citizen by the name of Barry Sotoero. What if Grandma didn’t bother doing any paperwork when he was sent back from Indonesia, where he was an Indonesian citizen after his adoption by Lolo?

    Very interesting hypotheses (hypothosi?)

    Even Quadaffi claims him!

    Who IS Barry Soetoro? (aka “Our Dear Son, Excellency, Baraka Hussein Abu Oumama”, Mohamar Quadaffi) ♫♪

  39. #39
    On April 11th, 2011 at 6:22 pm, Whirled Peas said:

    On February 9th, 2011 at 5:50 pm, Hannibal said:

    #1 On February 9th, 2011 at 4:19 pm, Teddy Kennedy said:

    Perhaps the would be terrorist don’t shop at Wal-Mart,…..

    Does anyone here know? Do muslims shop at Piggly Wiggly?

    Stop please! I’m in tears here!! Stomach is cramping! Have mercy, please!

    ********

    Who IS Barry Soetoro? (aka “Our Dear Son, Excellency, Baraka Hussein Abu Oumama”, Mohamar Quadaffi)

  40. #40
    On April 11th, 2011 at 6:43 pm, Whirled Peas said:

    On February 9th, 2011 at 7:21 pm, rocketman said: #41

    You have my sympathy concerning your plight but there comes a time when the good citizens of El Paso del Norte should/will stand up and defend themselves.

    I’m sure the law enforcement people are overwhelmed and the place looks like a war zone but there is a tipping point and I’m not sure if the pinnacle has been reached yet.

    I was stationed in Del Rio from ’78 to ’81 and the worst I saw was pregnant women going immediately to the local hospital, non-citizens involved in hit and runs to the border, airmen getting drunk in mexican clubs, arrested on trumped up charges and bailed out (cash only bail) by in-country co-workers that could be called on short notice.

    Obviously there were the illegals and the local ranchers were making money off them. Cattle don’t feed too well on desert scrub or mesquite trees.

    PS. never did find any peyote cactus either.

    When Texas starts issuing passports, I’ll be back!

    ********
    Who IS Barry Soetoro? (aka “Our Dear Son, Excellency, Baraka Hussein Abu Oumama”, Mohamar Quadaffi)

  41. #41
    On April 11th, 2011 at 7:00 pm, Whirled Peas said:

    On February 9th, 2011 at 7:42 pm, plymouthacclaim said:

    Hey, all that violence in Mexico is the fault of law-abiding US gun owners and the Second Amendment. The reason that the drug gangs have rocket launchers is the revolver in your drawer. /LiberalLogic

    Liberalism IS a mental disorder.

    It looks as though rocketman is correct in his assumption that Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms should be a convenience store.

  42. #42
    On April 11th, 2011 at 7:06 pm, Whirled Peas said:

    hummm is this a dead thred or summit??

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