Abdulmutallab Says More Attacks On The Way

Yemen’s Foreign Minister, Abu Bakr al-Qirbi said today that he expects hundreds of militant al-Qaeda extremists are planning terror attacks. Al-Quibri is pleading for help from the international community for training against terrorist forces. The Foreign Minister acknowledges numerous al-Qaeda operatives in Yemen, including some of their leaders. In response to the Christmas Day bombing attempt, al-Qibri said, “They may actually plan attacks like the one we have just had in Detroit. There are maybe hundreds of them — 200, 300.”

The perpetrator of the Christmas Day bombing attempt on Northwest Airlines flight 253, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, is said to have told FBI agents that there are more people just like him who are ready to carry out attacks. Abdulmutallab said there are extremists in Yemen and they plan to strike very soon. This statement is backed by the taped message from the Yemen al-Qaeda leader that was released four days before Christmas. In the statement, the al-Qaeda leader boasted of what was planned for Americans, saying, “We are carrying a bomb to hit the enemies of God.”

Abdulmutallab claims to have trained in Yemen under al-Qaeda, for more than a month. With his training complete, he strapped himself with 80 grams of a high explosive (PETN) that was sewn into his underwear and went undetected by standard airport security screenings. The amount of PETN Abdulmutallab had on his person was more than one-and-a-half times the amount carried by Richard Reid, the “shoe bomber”, in 2001. The “underwear bomb” was powerful enough to blow a hole in the side of an aircraft. The tragedy was averted due only to the fact that the bomb’s detonator did not work.

Based on the actions of Abdulmutallab, the claim of responsibility by al-Qaeda and the presence of the terrorist group in Yemen, Foreign Minister al-Oirbi said he believes it is the responsibility of countries with strong intelligence capabilities to warn Yemen and other countries of movement by terrorist suspects. Foreign Minister al-Qirbi called on the United States, Britain and the European Union to “work in a very joint fashion in partnership to combat terrorism.”

Drunk with Power? Senator Max Baucus Slurs on Senate Floor

The video shows Finance Committe Chairman, Senator Max Baucus giving a speech on the floor of the Senate. Senator Baucus’ speach is slurred and he appears to be intoxicated.

Al Qaeda Claims Responsibility for Christmas Day Bombing of Northwest Airlines Flight 253

The Al Qaeda extremist group based in Yemen is claiming responsibility for the Christmas Day attempted bombing of a Northwest Airlines passenger jet bound for Detroit. Umar Farouk Abdulmuttalab acting as a suicide bomber was provided with a “technically advanced device” that he was supposed to detonate while on board the aircraft. A statement from the Al Qaeda group claims an unspecified technical fault for the botched bombing.

In their statement, the extremist Al Qaeda group, also known as AQAP, let it be known the bomber had their blessing in his response to the recent U.S. attacks in Yemen. The group’s statement also included new warnings of attacks in the Arabian Peninsula specifically against foreign embassies. “We call on all Muslims … to throw out all unbelievers from the Arabian Peninsula by killing the crusaders who work in embassies or elsewhere,” the statement read. The Al Qaeda statement went on to praise Abdulmutallab and thumb their noses at American intelligence and security. “[Abdulmutallab] managed to penetrate all devices and modern advanced technology and security checkpoints in international airports … defying the large myth of American and international intelligence, and exposing how fragile they are, bringing their nose to the ground.”

With Al Qaeda’s claim of responsibility for the attempted attack, both the U.S. and Yemen officials find themselves under even greater pressure to bring the network under control. Both governments acknowledge cooperation in the fight against Islamist extremists. A senior security aide to Yemen’s president recently said his government was working with the U.S. government to rid his country of Al Qaeda.

Over the summer Al Qaeda members appeared to be retreating from Afghanistan and Pakistan and seeking safe haven in Yemen. A Saudi Al Qaeda member who had taken refuge in Yemen was unsuccessful in his August assassination attempt against the Saudi Arabia’s leader of the war on terror, Prince Mohammed bin Nayyeff al Saud. The Al Qaeda group is seeking revenge against Yemen and the U.S. for the deaths caused by the December 17 attack against Al Qaeda cells based in Yemen.

While the government works to protect the people of Yemen, Al Qaeda supporters along with government opposition, have staged protests against the government’s operations to stop Al Qaeda. The opposition claims many women and children have lost their lives in the attacks against the extremists.

While analysts who specialize in Yemen and Al Qaeda are saying the group has limited support within the unstable country, the government is not overly confident. The analysts warn that Al Qaeda could try to capitalize on the anger over the civilian casualties and gain a stronger hold on the country.

UK Scientist Steps Down During Climategate Investigation

The United Nations Climate Change Conference 2009 in Copenhagen that is scheduled for next week will take place under the cloud of Climategate. First the hacked file-dump that took place more than a week ago exposed emails and falsified data that has been the source for global warming hysteria. Now, Universities on both sides of the pond are investigating the emails and data that have been exposed.

The Associated Press is reporting today that the director of the Climate Research Unit at England’s University of East Anglia, is stepping down from his post. Phil Jones’ resignation comes after the emails revealing the theory that man-made global warming is a hoax were released on the internet. Included in the emails were directives from Jones for others to delete specific messages and to falsify data.

An independent investigation into allegations that Jones altered the way global temperature data was presented is expected to take place. The allegations against the director and the data that was leaked include over a decade’s worth of correspondence that point to the fabrication of the entire global warming movement.

Penn State Meteorology Professor Michael Mann, is also being accused of exaggerating or fabricating global warming data. The Daily Collegian is reporting that Penn State officials are investigating whether Mann and his colleagues distorted data on global warming. According to the report, a committee assigned by PSU will read all 300 email messages to determine if further inspection is necessary.

In light of these developments, President Barack Obama is expected to attend the Conference in Copenhagen and the U.S. Congress continues to push for Cap & Trade legislation.