NYPD busts new terror plot against a synagogue
posted at 10:58 am on May 12, 2011 by Ed Morrissey
Not too much is known yet about this story, except that the bust appears to come from city and state officials, and not the feds. Two Americans of North African descent have been arrested, apparently on charges that they plotted a terrorist attack on at least one New York City synagogue:
Two Americans have been arrested by New York City police for allegedly plotting to attack a synagogue in the New York area, Fox News has learned.
One source described the case as the latest example of “homegrown” radicalization. The two men were identified as Mohammad Mamdouh, of Moroccan descent, and Ahmed Serhani, of Algerian descent.
Serhani allegedly made a general statement about wanting to attack a synagogue –- though no specific synagogue was mentioned, according to initial information obtained by Fox News. With a history of drug dealing, Serhani was hoping to make enough money to purchase weapons and possibly explosives for the attack, one source said.
This is the curious part:
Serhani and Mamdouh are now being charged under a New York State terrorism law. Federal authorities usually prosecute terrorism-related offenses, but they declined to do so in this case.
Andy McCarthy also found this odd, but not necessarily unprecedented:
Oddly, it is said that the feds were not interested in the case, which was apparently pursued by the Manhattan district attorney’s office after the FBI declined to get involved. I say this is odd because the FBI and the NYPD work together in the Joint Terrorism Task Force, and most cases are taken federal. But the NYPD also has an intel/anti-terrorism capacity that is very robust, and the City acts independently of the feds from time-to-time, much to the dismay of the feds.
Some people don’t know that the NYPD actually has its own intelligence agency that works globally (and in conjunction with federal authorities). In fact. this appears to have caused some friction between and within those levels, as the New York Post reports today on an unrelated issue:
A top NYPD terror expert has been booted from his post after refusing an order to take federal files on Osama bin Laden from the FBI’s New York headquarters, The Post has learned. … Last week, after bin Laden was killed, [Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence] Cohen told Nicholson to bring him the FBI’s latest dossier on him. But Nicholson refused his superior’s order, citing the federal agency’s policy of not allowing such documents to leave its office.
Nicholson has extensive experience in naval intelligence, which will now be wasted as Nicholson gets shifted to normal police investigations.
The Manhattan District Attorney will release more information on these charges later today. We’ll keep an eye out for updates.
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Wonder what McCain and Graham are going to call their new political party of two.
Rational Thought on March 7, 2013 at 3:52 PM
McCain and Graham now occupy the place on my TV where Alan Colmes and Obama are at. When their mug shows up, I change the channel.
birdwatcher on March 7, 2013 at 3:54 PM
Yes that’s true because the “Republicans” are the party of the country club and the Wall Street double-talker (Romney). There’s got to be a more robust political strand that appeals to the common or working man. Let’s just make sure that the Tea Party stands for what it was founded to stand for: against out of control govt. Not religious extremism (as Akin / Murdoch / Buck [CO] etc). The Tea Party or its refinement is where it’s at. But the TP nominated for senate some real obvious losers. We don’t want the establishment like Rove advocates. We want something new. But we MUST figure out how to ensure quality, and keep the kooks like Akin out, or we lose bigtime.
anotherJoe on March 7, 2013 at 3:55 PM
You two clowns aren’t fooling anyone. McCaiño is going to be your amnesty hero.
Wigglesworth on March 7, 2013 at 3:57 PM
McCain! Have you forgotten everything you learned at USNA and Vietnam? Not to mention your parents and the decorum in the Senate. What possesed you to chastise a fellow Republican in the well of the Senate? You come out as the immature one in your rant!
I thought Sen. Paul showed more courage and lucidity than anyone in the Republican leadership. Especially you and Graham. Even McConnell showed up last night to express his support. Since Carney has finally answered Sen. Paul’s question today, you look like an even bigger fool. Shame on you.
tomshup on March 7, 2013 at 3:59 PM
How’s that fence coming along John…?
Seven Percent Solution on March 7, 2013 at 3:59 PM
Who is the Maverick now, McMaverick?
We’re only talking about the AZ relic b/c the Kentucky Super Hobbit threw McYesterday’s ring of power into the fires of Mt. Filibuster. So what we’re seeing today is a slow-motion combustion to be followed by an explosion, without lava, of course, because that’s outlawed by the EPA.
He’s been around longer than Sauron so it’s going to take a little more time and few more upstages by other Hobbits. But it will happen.
LetsBfrank on March 7, 2013 at 4:01 PM
McCain (and Graham) are beyond pathetic. They have forgotten the point of representative government.
Envious much about being upstaged via reasoned arguments about Constitutional principles, lads?
onlineanalyst on March 7, 2013 at 4:03 PM
I sent him a caustic email with the box checked that I would be expecting a reply. I wonder how long I will have to wait?
Tater Salad on March 7, 2013 at 4:06 PM
The Lemon Party
Sammy316 on March 7, 2013 at 4:10 PM
Ain’t no fool like an old fool.
“My friendsth, we have nothing to fear from an Obama Presidenthy…”
wytshus on March 7, 2013 at 4:22 PM
Lindsey Graham says Rand Paul’s stance has now caused him to vote to confirm Brennan. Like he needed an excuse, RINO backstabber.
I’d like to see #SitDownMcCain start to trend like #StandWithRand did yesterday.
RationalIcthus on March 7, 2013 at 4:24 PM
Sadly that’s all he knows. Victimhood. Withstanding an onslaught. McCain’s still trying to be that martyr.
Sorry, but it’s all he’s good at.
happytobehere on March 7, 2013 at 4:29 PM
I guess that John has forgotten Reagan’s Eleventh-Commandment!
What a petulant loser.
Another Drew on March 7, 2013 at 4:32 PM
Dear Senator McCain,
Thank you for your service during the Viet Nam Conflict….you and Senator Graham should now resign in disgrace.
Criticism of Senator Paul shows how much your brain has degraded over the years.
I also took that oath in 1969, but I remember what it means.
It is because of you and your ilk that the Republic is in the condition it currently finds itself.
You and your Senate pals are no better than thieves that steal in the dark.
You have allowed the Constitution to be used as toilet paper…the rules of our society are now blatently ignored, by the Federal Government.
Well, we are now aware…awake to your shenanigans.
We, the Oathkeepers, are coming…to restore the Republic.
Since the rules don’t apply to you, they certainly don’t apply to us.
Senator, We’re coming…you and your pals, look over your shoulders every time you hear a sound in the dark….we’re coming.
Big Sis and her tanks and drones can’t save you….we’re coming.
You promote and permit an invasion with impunity from a neighboring country…we’re coming.
Keep these words in mind…Bill of Rights
We’re coming
III/0317
dirtengineer on March 7, 2013 at 4:33 PM
You can be sure that neither McCain (nor Graham) listened to one iota of the nearly 13-hour filibuster, but McCain thinks that he can get into the Senate well and pontificate. There is no fool like an old fool.
onlineanalyst on March 7, 2013 at 4:36 PM
Graham’s stupidity is that Brennan’s confirmation had next to nothing to do with his filibuster. What a fool.
You should start the #SitDownMcCain trend, it’s a winner.
LetsBfrank on March 7, 2013 at 4:40 PM
My anxiety that the GOP had gotten smart is rapidly receding….
libfreeordie on March 7, 2013 at 4:42 PM
McCain, why don’t you do all of us a great big favor and make this current term you are serving in the Senate your last?
You are now officially a Renaissance Dinosaur, one that should have been put out to pasture years ago!
And when you do leave, take Graham and the rest of your Old Guard pack with you!
pilamaye on March 7, 2013 at 4:46 PM
I wish Arizona would retire that old man. HE is the problem, not the young guys in the senate. HE was the person voting for the crap that got us here in the first place.
Trey
TMink on March 7, 2013 at 4:57 PM
The unfortunate part of this whole thing is that these two RINO’s represent the entire GOP now in the beltway cover our lazy fat asses and pensions and screw the electorate. We might as well have Dems in the entire Senate. Apparently Rand Paul and Ted Cruz are the only real Republican left. Killing our own citizens on US soil and it’s calm down? What kind of moron thinks that way? He would have been a great President huh! And people were concerned about Palin’s mental capacity?
flytier on March 7, 2013 at 5:00 PM
McGrahamnasty are a disgrace.
jawkneemusic on March 7, 2013 at 5:03 PM
I’m glad that you brought that doozy up. I was wondering the same. Not that many years before, McCain was buddying up with Qaddafi.
onlineanalyst on March 7, 2013 at 5:03 PM
I know you mean well, but I need to keep correcting this everytime I read it: Rand Paul is Tea Party, Akin was not. Akin defeated the Tea Party backed candidate in addition to the GOP backed candidate.
Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, Mike Lee were out in force during this filibuster and all three are Tea Party candidates who drove out establishment picks.
Daemonocracy on March 7, 2013 at 5:06 PM
McCain learned nothing at the USNA. He was in the bottom ten in his class and graduated because his father and grandfather were admirals.
He probably wouldn’t have been a POW had ed not been a crappy pilot.
bw222 on March 7, 2013 at 5:14 PM
Paul, Cruz and Lee voted against confirming Brennan. Rubio voted to confirm him. Every time “Senator Combover” takes a step forward, he follows up with two steps back.
bw222 on March 7, 2013 at 5:16 PM
His lords and masters. http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/481
S. D. on March 7, 2013 at 5:16 PM
McCain?
Oh yes, the brain damaged human puke who willingly handed the Presidency over to Obama and the Socialists
TexasJew on March 7, 2013 at 5:44 PM
These GOPe attacks are worthless in the greater scheme of things. All these liberal lovin RINO’s are doing is providing comfort for the ENEMY! I certainly am getting quite a track record of being right here in Hot Air as I KNEW the GOPe would start in with their Palinization of Paul today.
Drones in America, urban assault vehicles, hollow tip ammo for Social Security employees, 0bamaScare … what more do you need to see in order to understand the democrats, along with their supporters [McShame, Graham, Palin haters] are the EXTREMISTS working to TERRORIZE us into submission?
I’ve got vision while the rest are wearing 0bama stained bifocals…
Maybe not ALL of the rest, but quite a few.
DannoJyd on March 7, 2013 at 5:46 PM
America would have been demonstrably better off if McCain had never returned from Viet Nam. He is a very sick individual.
tom daschle concerned on March 7, 2013 at 5:50 PM
end thread/
rndmusrnm on March 7, 2013 at 5:51 PM
I can remember the day I decided I would not vote for McCain in the 2008 election. It was the day he came out after being introduced by Bill Cunningham and like a whimpering coward, scolded him for using Barak Hussain Obama’s middle name. A friend of mine told me he was better than Obama, but really, he wasn’t, and isn’t to this day.
McCain should just go away. Him and that vacuous daughter of his.
Aodhan on March 7, 2013 at 5:58 PM
I went to McCain’s facebook page and left a message; from the other ones I read, he’s getting roasted pretty good. Hopefully his constituents are paying attention. Gonna go check out Graham’s next.
vamp57mw on March 7, 2013 at 6:03 PM
It’s time for senators Graham and McCain to join Hugo Chavez.
My government is turning me into an anarchist!
Wallythedog on March 7, 2013 at 6:12 PM
Senator McCain,
Climb down off that cross of yours, use the wood to build a bridge and GET OVER IT!
Thank you, that is all.
TB
TBinSTL on March 7, 2013 at 6:14 PM
Paul got a definitive answer from Holder and that’s more than McCain has done. And who is McCain to criticize . . . he and Graham have a continuing dog and pony show that interests practically no one. McCain needs to get off the Sunday talk shows, retire and ride off into the sunset.
rplat on March 7, 2013 at 6:17 PM
Stay with this McCain kid, Rand.
He’s a loser…
/georgecscott
JohnGalt23 on March 7, 2013 at 6:23 PM
Hello, Senator–(cough cough SOB! cough cough) McCain!
I mean the man wasn’t that great of a pilot really either, was he?
Sherman1864 on March 7, 2013 at 6:32 PM
Always feel grateful for the wise voters in AZ and SC for their gift.
ultracon on March 7, 2013 at 6:34 PM
“Men are like wine some turn to vinegar, but the best improve with age.”
Guess who is the former.
Sherman1864 on March 7, 2013 at 6:37 PM
Nobody takes you seriously any more, Jaun! Or your little loverboy!
redware on March 7, 2013 at 7:23 PM
It is amusing to watch John McCain and Lindsey Graham beclown themselves for all the world to see. Two out of touch dinosaurs pretending to be relevant.
paulus1 on March 7, 2013 at 8:26 PM
F*ck you, McCain. Go straight to hell you rat f*ck bastard.
Midas on March 7, 2013 at 8:48 PM
.
That’s a thread winner, but I struck the word “Hanoi” from it because Sen McCain should NOT be compared to Jane Fonda, after what he went through.
listens2glenn on March 7, 2013 at 9:05 PM
Losers (McCain)hate winners(Paul).
William Eaton on March 7, 2013 at 9:09 PM
Goober, Otis and Pyle.
Bwwaaaaah
SparkPlug on March 7, 2013 at 9:39 PM
We tried to warn you that Rinos will kill us.
SparkPlug on March 7, 2013 at 9:40 PM
I kinda like The Pity Party.
BacaDog on March 7, 2013 at 10:01 PM
I can’t stomach John McCain. What a piece of shit he is.
Freeloader on March 7, 2013 at 10:02 PM
I like that.
Brutal, to the point, easy to understand, concise.
Everything McCain is not.
BacaDog on March 7, 2013 at 10:06 PM
What an arrogant ass.
And there are still people out there who don’t see a need for term limits.
fight like a girl on March 7, 2013 at 10:47 PM
“SNEER” is the right word!
williamg on March 7, 2013 at 11:32 PM
…and this is why you lost the election, McLame.
You spoke nothing on liberty, federalism, or the Constitution, nor understand anything about these principles.
It’s time you retire. You’ve sunk the party. It’s time to start fresh.
Bye!
Saltysam on March 7, 2013 at 11:39 PM
What a hanyack. The only reason that he was the better of the two main choices for President in the General Election in 2008 was because Obama was the other one. Sigh.
Theophile on March 8, 2013 at 2:30 AM
McLame and Lyndsay Graham both need to go back to Arizona and live out their lives together there.
(Yes I know Lyndsay is from South Carolina, but he seems to represent Arizona instead lol)
OhioBuckeye7 on March 8, 2013 at 4:23 AM
John, SHUT THE HELL UP! At this pointou ae nothing but a neutron bomb on the Republican party and a useful idiot to the gleeful LSM and the Democrats.
philoise65 on March 8, 2013 at 1:10 PM
John McWho?
Dannyp8262 on March 8, 2013 at 2:22 PM
DannoJyd on March 9, 2013 at 2:05 AM
The more I see of this guy the dumber he gets. What a moron. Go home old man and stop talking. You were a disgraceful coward when you ran against that socialist demon and he beat your sorry a$$, while you kissed his.
UnEasyRider on March 9, 2013 at 1:03 PM
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