[saif]

Interestingly, Williams claims that despite Homeland Security Advisor, Frances Townsends July 17th assertion that we have captured or killed two-thirds of Al-Qaida's leadership from 9/11, "only one member of bin Laden's shura - or high command - has been killed." So again I ask, can Americans trust the intelligence gathered by the various agencies of the federal government? Is there credible evidence that al-Qaida currently possess nuclear weapons within the United States?

Recently, a Virginia company was able to acquire a nuclear license granting them the permission to purchase machines containing Americium 241 and Cesium 137. Both are radioactive elements that could too easily create a non-fissible bomb that spreads radiation over an extensive area. Although this company was set up by the U.S. government to test the ability of individuals to purchase enough nuclear material to build a bomb, it demonstrates that there still remains serious safety concerns post 9/11. "Although we (Investigators from the Government Accountability Office) had no legitimate use for the machines, our investigators received, within days of obtaining a license from NRC, price quotes and terms of payment that would have allowed us to purchase numerous machines containing sealed radioactive source materials."

This disturbing news comes after a June 2007 report in which the FBI revealed the name of Adnan Gulshair el-Shukrijumah being al-Qaida's operational leader on a nuclear plot targeting the United States. Authorities believe that El-Shrukrijumah is "reportedly the man Usama bin Laden tapped to lead a previous plot to detonate nuclear bombs simultaneously in several U.S. cities." However Intelligence officials claim that "although al-Qaida created a team to develop nuclear terror plots targeting American cities, the organization has to date been unable to acquire the key materials necessary to carry out such attacks." Adnan Gulshair el-Shukrijumah is a Saudi Born al-Qaida operative who currently remains at large and quite possibly residing within the United States. The State Department is offering up to $5 million dollars for information about current location through the Rewards for Justice Program however, they have yet to receive any pertinent information. El-Shrukijumah has reportedly spent fifteen years in the United States and has a mother who currently resides in Florida. Although the FBI is not sure whether el-Shrukrijumah is working alone or if he is acting in concert with others as part of a terrorist cell, they believe that "he may play a large and leading role in the next set of terrorist attacks inside the United States."

With all of these revelations, as well as the recently foiled terrorist attacks here and abroad; how is it that the majority of Americans remain confident that our National Security is sufficient enough to prevent another atrocity from occurring on U.S. soil? Can we currently afford to allow politicians on both sides of the isle to use the Intelligence agencies as a tool to cast blame and create fear? Has the Iraq War Issue completely taken our focus off of protecting the United States from an even larger, more horrific terrorist attack then that of 9/11? How can we continue to support our elected officials when they hold our very lives with contempt?

As a Nation we must not fail to recognize the serious and explicit threats to our homeland. We must not allow the media and politicians to hijack and streamline their rhetoric on the back of what is believed as credible intelligence. These strategic assessments should be used as they were purposely designed, which is to help policy makers develop and prioritize government actions. Furthermore, we as a Nation must quickly come to grips with regard to the overall safety of our daily lives. We must not forget that there are still many issues such as Immigration Reform and Border Patrol that are vitally important to the direct safety of our cities and villages. We must do this with constant regard to maintaining the delicate balance between civil liberties and the ability of the government to protect American Lives.