Ghastly Gridiron Atomic Assault Main Dish at Tailgate Parties; Concerned Officials Say, "Whatevs"

Brian Doherty | October 19, 2006

In what may (or may not) prove to be a good little summation of terror threats to America writ large since 9/11--lots of fear, or at least lots of attempts to instill it from the powers-that-want-to-be-more-powerful, little to be a-feared about--the Internet is abuzz with threats to blow up seven "dirty bombs" at NFL games this Sunday.

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.".....
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.

The original threat is reprinted and its long life and dubious provenance discussed here.

However, reputed dirty bomber Adnan G. El Shukrijumah is still at large.

As a public service, the seven cities allegedly targeted: Oakland, Atlanta, New York, Miami, Seattle, Houston, Cleveland.

Comments

|10.19.06 @ 2:21PM|#

I don't have to worry about it. For starters, my city isn't listed, presumably because the Cardinals are on the road this week (I think in Oakland). However, the Cardinals also suck, so I won't be going to see them anyway, and their new stadium is on the other side of town from me, rather than a half mile away, like it was when they still played at Sun Devil Stadium.

Regardless, I wouldn't be too worried about it.

|10.19.06 @ 2:21PM|#

Since the NY teams play in Rutherford, New Jersey, I doubt anyone would notice even if a dirty bomb goes off.

Would radiation smell better than swamp gas, a huge airport, and several chemical companies?

|10.19.06 @ 2:30PM|#

The only "dirty bomb" in Cleveland will be thrown by Charlie Frye.

|10.19.06 @ 2:36PM|#

So someone might blow up some football players, football fans, and a football stadium...

What the problem is?

|10.19.06 @ 2:40PM|#

This thread needs a sound track. How 'bout the Stones: Dir-ty white bomb, dirty white bomb.

|10.19.06 @ 2:40PM|#

You can blow up the Cleveland Browns' Stadium, but you'll never kill...Big Dawg !

|10.19.06 @ 2:51PM|#

The only "dirty bomb" in Cleveland will be thrown by Charlie Frye.

And we know that anyone who would play QB for the Browns these days must have a suicide wish. Hmmm.

Dan T.|10.19.06 @ 2:54PM|#

In what may (or may not) prove to be a good little summation of terror threats to America writ large since 9/11--lots of fear, or at least lots of attempts to instill it from the powers-that-want-to-be-more-powerful,

Sorry Brian, but if they powers you refer to want to instill more fear, why (as you point out) are they downplaying the threats?

Do you read your own blog posts?

|10.19.06 @ 2:57PM|#

I think this whole thing was a ploy by a Raider fan to cancel this week's game so as to avoid them going 0-16. If the Silver and Black manage to lose this game, there isn't a winnable one on the schedule until DECEMBER.

"Just winless, baby"

|10.19.06 @ 2:58PM|#

First it was the Drive, then the Fumble, and now the Dirty Bomb. I hate the fuckin' Broncos.

|10.19.06 @ 3:03PM|#

Legate,

Even the Raiders can beat the Cards. I can smell their stench from Tempe.

Nick

|10.19.06 @ 3:04PM|#

As long as they don't bomb Detroit, St. Louis or Shea Stadium.

|10.19.06 @ 3:04PM|#

This is:
A: A plot by the NFL to drum up ratings.
B: A mafia attempt to derail games that they know they'll lose money on.
C: A plot by a consortium of potential expansion teams.
D: A pitch for a 24-meets-Black Sunday mid season replacement show.

How islamic terrorists will get through a parking lot full of fans tailgating and grilling pork ribs and sausages is beyond me...

|10.19.06 @ 3:09PM|#

Anyone seen Showtime's 'Sleeper Cell'? Good miniseries. That was basically the terrorists' plot...attack various stadiums, not necessarily with a dirty bomb, but with some kind of chemical weapon rigged on fire trucks. Life, she imitates the art...

|10.19.06 @ 3:12PM|#

"Sorry Brian, but if they powers you refer to want to instill more fear, why (as you point out) are they downplaying the threats?"

Keep people scared, but not too scared to go about their daily lives. This has been the policy since 9/11. Keep the terra alert level in yellow, sometimes orange, but always make it look like the government has things under control. Scared enough to trust the government, but not too scared to disrupt the economy. Make sense yet, contrarian dan? Do you even think about your comments before you post them?

|10.19.06 @ 3:18PM|#

Russ "no" Knocke

That is a damn good Homeland Security name and great name for a football conspirator.

How 'bout the Stones: Dir-ty white bomb, dirty white bomb.

Foreigner?

|10.19.06 @ 3:37PM|#

Even if the Cards were in town, no one would dirty bomb the stadium. Who is going to go to a game after last week?

Lowdog: are you a Tempe resident?

Thomas Paine's Goiter|10.19.06 @ 3:39PM|#

Um....

Do the terrorists think that people are going to show up at the 4:00 PM games (Seattle, Oakland, Cleveland) after they bomb the 1 PM games?

|10.19.06 @ 3:39PM|#

Ha! The Bears have a bye week. 16-0, by any means necessary.

|10.19.06 @ 3:44PM|#

AC - I am, indeed, a resident of the fine city of Tempe.

The cardinals suck so bad that I, as a huge sports fan (mostly hockey and football), have a hard time watching any football at all.

|10.19.06 @ 3:47PM|#

Do the terrorists think that people are going to show up at the 4:00 PM games (Seattle, Oakland, Cleveland) after they bomb the 1 PM games?

Chances are the Dawg Pound in Cleveland will be so drunk by 1pm that they either won't notice the national alerts or otherwise wouldn't be able to stumble out of the stadium parking lot before 4pm. And the ones that could probably wouldn't do so, as they are too devoted to the crummy team to abandon them under bad circumstances, anyway...let alone a bomb threat.

|10.19.06 @ 4:18PM|#

Lowdog,

That's why I pretty much only watch Saturday football. I'm just happy to see that ESPN is finally going to put on some B10 football so I can see it instead of this PAC-10 crap.

Nick

|10.19.06 @ 4:22PM|#

Nick,

I don't like watching amateurs. Most college players suck. I like watching the best of the best play.

I know not everyone feels that way, and that's totally cool with me, but I prefer the pros. Heck, if I wasn't such a huge hockey fan, I'd have trouble watching the Roadrunners (ECHL team in Phoenix which is basically a AA league [in baseball terms]) because those guys aren't very good, either.

Matty|10.19.06 @ 4:22PM|#

Nuclear explosion at a football game...where have I heard that one before?

|10.19.06 @ 4:24PM|#

Lowdog,

I can see where you're coming from and can appreciate that. That still pretty much leaves out the Cardinals.

Nick

Gary|10.19.06 @ 5:56PM|#

An attack in Oakland would certainly be more offense than the Raiders have shown this year.

And Nick, glad you B10 fans don't have to watch so much PAC-10 football. That way all you have to do is watch the Rose Bowl stomping the PAC-10 teams are so good at delivering.