Attack Averted

During the recent debates and discussions about enhanced interrogations, we heard that the government’s actions saved lives and stopped terrorist attacks. When I heard people say this, I wanted them to go on and give an example. Obviously, much of this is classified. But can’t we come up with at least one example of how these interrogations averted an attack?

Fortunately there is an example that has surfaced. Apparently the interrogation of Khalid Sheik Mohammed prevented the destruction of the Brooklyn Bridge and the loss of perhaps ten thousand lives. Here is how it happened.

The National Security Administration picked up chatter about the “Brooklyn Bridge” in its warrantless wiretaps. It alerted New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly to the possibility of an attack against the bridge. Kelly sent police to the bridge for surveillance and also commissioned a study to determine how terrorists could bring down the bridge. If this was done during rush hour, ten thousand people would plunge into the East River.

The study concluded that it would be impossible to blow up the bridge without being discovered. But it did suggest that it might be possible for a terrorist to sever the cables holding up the bridge. Using a torch, a terrorist could slice through cables in a vacant building under the bridge. Traffic noises could mask his work, and the building was not patrolled or even visited by anyone.

By this time, the terrorist noticed the police on the bridge and sent another message that was intercepted by the NSA. It said “too hot on the Brooklyn Bridge.” The government had these messages, but they did not have the terrorist. That is where the interrogation of Khalid Sheik Mohammed comes in. He finally revealed the name of the terrorist: Lyman Farris.

The New York police raided his apartment and found the equipment needed to bring down the bridge. They even found an engineering diagram identifying where to cut the cables.

Are there other success stories? Mostly likely there are. This one at least can be told and demonstrates what one terrorist could do. I’m Kerby Anderson, and that’s my point of view.