Janet Napolitano Says She's Most Surprised By "Al-Qaeda's Determination" (Video)
Posted by Jim Hoft on Thursday, January 7, 2010, 7:42 PM
Janet Napolitano told reporters today that she was most surprised by Al-Qaeda’s determination.
Where has she been for the last 9 years?
They’re terrorists, Janet. It’s what they do.
The Chicago Sun-Times has the transcript, via Free Republic:
Question: What was the most shocking, stunning thing that you found out of the review? And, Secretary, to you, as well.
MR. BRENNAN: Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula is an extension of al Qaeda core coming out of Pakistan. And, in my view, it is one of the most lethal and one of the most concerning of it. The fact that they had moved forward to try to execute this attack against the homeland I think demonstrated to us — and this is what the review sort of uncovered — that we had a strategic sense of sort of where they were going, but we didn’t know they had progressed to the point of actually launching individuals here. And we have taken that lesson, and so now we’re full on top of it.
SECRETARY NAPOLITANO: I think, following up on that, not just the determination of al Qaeda and al Qaeda Arabian Peninsula, but the tactic of using an individual to foment an attack, as opposed to a large conspiracy or a multi-person conspiracy such as we saw in 9/11, that is something that affects intelligence. It really emphasizes now the renewed importance on how different intelligence is integrated and analyzed, and threat streams are followed through. And, again, it will impact how we continue to review the need to improve airport security around the world.
And how about her surprised reaction that this Al-Qaeda suicide bomber acted alone.
Since when did suicide bombers run in packs?
Unreal.
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Published February 8, 2012 at 8:42 pm - 103 Comments
Ladue Pundit commented:
Where has this woman been for the last decade?
Oh right, ignoring the AZ border breaches.
This article highlights one of the most unqualified, incompetent appointments ever.
Daniel commented:
Jammit Incompitento is just finding this out?
Imagine that. And, she STILL has a job.
Blacque Jacques Shellacque commented:
Janet Napalitano told reporters today that she was most surprised by Al-Qaeda’s determination.
This is called underestimating the enemy.
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hotairpundit commented:
Napolitano looked like a deer in the headlights….
She has no business running homeland security
olm commented:
Do these people get dumber or did I just not notice before that they were too stupid to breathe?
Nathan R. Jessup commented:
Scary.
Nathan R. Jessup
http://www.the-raw-deal.com
RAH commented:
AQ has been organized for over 20 years and their most successfull attack was 9/11 against the US. I am surprised that any person could say that they are surprised at AQ tenacity. That is why Bush kept saying this is a long haul and that the danger co be from anywhere. After all the homemade jihadists in England are trying to get glory as mass murderers.
DanStlMo commented:
This is exactly the type of response you would expect from someone who see’s this as a Law Enforcement problem instead of a war.
Betsy Ross commented:
Hey Janet,
why don’t you pretend Al-qaeda are “birthers” or “teabaggers”,…
maybe then you will take them seriously….geez.
Chisum commented:
Janet on Janet
Al Qaeda must be trembling in fear having realized that the vast intellects of Janet Napolitano and Barack Obama stand arrayed between them and martyrdom.
http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2010/01/janet-on-janet.html
Just Brayin commented:
She wears comfortable shoes.
Just_Saying commented:
You gotta understand, she’s not got much in the way of intelligence…
.
NeoKong commented:
My god, is this the first time she has ever been told about them….?
She makes me long for the safe and secure days of national security competence during the Clinton administration.
Can we at least bomb an aspirin factory or something?
Robert commented:
They don’t get it at all. These people think lawyerin’ is gonna keep the moslem hordes at bay. And they think political correctness in the face of their subordinates getting slaughtered is honorable.
We lost how many at Fort Hood and one of the idiots referred to that as “strike one”. And of course we had the great general stating that diversity would conquer all after that failure.
Reading these two quotes GP posted, it’s hard to tell which one is stupider. Check this quote out:
*
“I told the president today, I let him down,” Deputy National Security Adviser John Brennan said during this afternoon’s White House press briefing. “I told him I will do better; we will do better as a team.”
*
American civilians were in jeopardy and this tool is concerned about letting Obama down?
Add the CIA deaths in Afghanistan and the Obama Administration is getting their ass kicked up one side and down the other. Unfortunately, that translates into others dying for these morons’ egotistical displays.
Chisum commented:
All 3 Major Domestic Terror Attacks of 2009 Were Directly Enabled by Obama’s Reverse-Profiling Orders, Exempting Muslims from Scrutiny
http://www.floppingaces.net/2010/01/07/all-3-major-domestic-terror-attacks-of-2009-were-directly-enabled-by-obamas-reverse-profiling-orders-exempting-muslims-from-scrutiny-reader-post/
brooklyn commented:
This latest failed Terrorist attack has hurt the Obama Administration politically. The fact that the President was again speaking in such a Public venue is proof enough. The President’s Address today, was an even bolder, more desperate attempt to provide damage control today.
It is so utterly ironic. Mr. Obama has preyed upon the truly vapid-uglyDemocratic Partisan political narrative, which maintains the Bush Administration and the Republicans are an unethical group of fear and war mongers. It seems entirely bizarre to consider the Obama Administration would have clung to this poorly considered mantra, in the wake of 9-11, (* predictably setting up huge problems for the Administration when the Terrorists eventually struck again).
Mr. Obama often repeated a very simplistic political attack, while running for the Presidency, which appears even more absurd today, than it did in relevance to the history of Radical Muslim Militancy during the lengthy campaign. The Senator regularly implied his belief that the real threats to the USA in relation to the 9-11 attacks, originated only from the Afghanistan region, including the border of Pakistan. Mr. Obama stated again and again, the USA took it’s “eyes off” of the true area of importance, and should never have engaged in a Global effort which included liberating Iraq. This very provincial offering was simply absurd at the time. The McCain Campaign made a huge mistake not forcibly challenging such a misguided conception. Certainly, a vast number of Partisans had endlessly undermined the fight in Iraq. It may have sounded like a good political move at the time, but it is clear the reality remains, this is truly a Global War.
Auntie Em commented:
How scary-stupid is this woman? If she is truly this clueless, then she needs an IQ check.
If she’s actually this stupid, she’s better suited for sanitation work at a rural hospital.
Corporal Vere commented:
True to form: the most unqualified, incompetent prez ever made the most unqualified, incompetent appointments ever.
Robert #16 hits a home run.
Reverse profiling orders indeed.
I (60 year old fat white guy) have two titanium knee replacements and get wanded and frisked every time I fly. My kid just had his deordorant confiscated.
But, the obvious mass murderer-types (don’t want to hurt their feelings!!) get a pass so they can mass murder us. Same same black profiling. They actually want blacks and muslims to run amok, and terrorize this unjust racist polity that must be destroyed.
Latter day Mae West, “Is that a bomb in your pants, or are you happy to see me?”
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see the stupidity . . . No one is this stupid, except congress and the obama-worshipping, koolaid drinking morons in MSM.
Moright commented:
So is our screw-up-in chief waiting for another attack to fire these bozos? I think the sum of it is enough to fire the chief. Clearly none of these folks has ever held a corporate job.
curiozities commented:
Her Obummer spinmeister handlers did a good job with her. Notice she answered without once ever saying “war,” “terror” or “terrorism.”
ahem commented:
Someone send her a copy of “Obsession.”
Thumper commented:
Ahhh! Another incompetent doofus in over their head.
zanne commented:
I live in Arizona. She is not missed. Get rid of her…but don’t send her back here.
Robert commented:
People are dying and these fools preen themselves with political correctness and bask in the attention of the compliant press.
They are not even looking at the points of failure. This attack should have been foiled by simple gate procedures at the terminal. The terrorist paid cash for his ticket, one-way, had no luggage, and no passport.
All this and Moslem, too?
And we have President Keystone Cops out in left field reviewing intelligence analysis.
I say that’s good for a solid straight D.
wanumba commented:
Napolitano left Arizona – “quit” is the precise word when female governors leave before their term ends – with a HUGE deficit.
Applying the “Bush precedent” established by the MSM and elite politicians like Nancy Pelosi, then we should always call it the, “Napolitano Deficit” and the “Napolitano years of deficit spending.”
That she’s now in charge of homeland security is absolutely chilling. She brings to the position the ability to spend to bankrupcy, mixed with geopolitical ignorance and Progressive Left regressiveness. Remember her first act? Profiling all veterans as potential terrorists.
Profiling veterans but not actual terrorists. Abomination.
bg commented:
++
Al-Qaeda’s versatility unexpected
[Eight years into the war on terror, al-Qaeda is demonstrating a growing sophistication and unexpected versatility as it extends its deadly reach around the world.
In the space of just two weeks, the Islamist terrorist organization nearly blew up a fully-loaded, Detroitbound airliner on Christmas Day; tried to assassinate a Danish cartoonist whose drawings of the Prophet Mohammed caused international outrage; used a double agent to stage the deadliest attack on the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency in 25 years and now is pushing Yemen into a renewed civil war.
Painfully squeezed in Pakistan and Afghanistan, where nearly a dozen top leaders have been assassinated with U.S. Predator drone aircraft, al-Qaeda and its Taliban allies nevertheless have managed to tie down 135,000 foreign troops in Afghanistan and are thoroughly destabilizing and terrorizing nuclear-armed Pakistan.
The inability of the United States and its allies to locate, let alone catch, Osama bin Laden or his second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahiri, only further underlines the western world's growing sense of vulnerability.]
they need to take down their 2000
to Sept. 10, 2001 calanders, gah!!
==
spayandneuter commented:
Her own state is the kidnapping capitol of the United States, second only to Mexico City, and she is in charge of security?
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=6848672&page=1
http://www.latina.com/lifestyle/news-politics/phoenix-arizona-kidnapping-capital-usa
Joan Rivers was not allowed on a flight because her passport had multiple names.
http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local&id=7202494
Are we safe yet?
–
bg commented:
++
Earth to JP et al..
please read the following, try to understand the enemy we face, as these
knowledgeable people darn well do better than you & an entire army of
Obama’s can ever hope to..
“The Arabs Have Stopped Applauding Obama”
Weakening Islamism is Vital to Improve US Image in the Muslim world
On the Job Training
A Cold-Blooded Foreign Policy
as was/is this..
It’s not over until it’s over
According to John Brennan, head of the White House’s homeland security office, the war on terrorism is over. From now on, the administration will never use terms like “jihadists” and “global war” because doing so, as Mr. Brennan said, “risks giving these murderers the religious legitimacy they desperately seek but in no way deserve.” He insisted that the U.S. is at “war with al Qaeda” (“U.S. no longer at war with ‘terrorism’ ,” Page 1, Friday).
Could we be more blind? Acts of terror are rooted in the aspirations
of Islamists to create an Islamic state and impose their version of Shariah law.
As a devout Muslim who, like many others across the world, is dedicated to fighting Islamism and its radical offshoots, I believe there is nothing more dangerous to our security in the long term than the leader of the free world remaining in categorical denial about the essence of this ever-so-real contest of ideas.
Al Qaeda had nothing to do with the string of radical Islamists arrested across the country — from North Carolina to New York, Oregon and New Jersey (to name but a few) — in the last year alone. The only thing these radicals have in common is their belief in a militant version of political Islam.
I certainly can understand the concern of making this a clash of religions, but that should not lead to outright misinformation. There is a civil war happening within the Muslim consciousness — between those who advocate for the Islamic state (Islamists) and those who believe in secular liberal democracies.
It certainly is not the role of any administration to determine who are “good” and “bad” jihadists. Not calling them exactly what they call themselves makes the White House the arbiter of who is and who is not a Muslim. This avoidance behavior allows American Islamists, like the Muslim Brotherhood’s front groups in Washington, to continue to deny their responsibility to lead the Islamic reform effort against Islamism and its role in radicalization — the real existential threat to the West.
The last administration used a term far too vague, labeling the tactic of terror as the enemy rather than the ideology of militant Islamism. Now
we have swung the other way, targeting a single group that is but one manifestation of a global movement. The movement radicalizes Muslims and remains an ever-present danger to our citizenry and it should be identified as such.
M. ZUHDI JASSER
President
American Islamic Forum for Democracy
Phoenix
==
Buffalobob commented:
AZ residents elected this moron. Not me. This is a product of affirmative action at its best. I’m surprised the members of her community are not howling to shut her up and shuttle her to some obscure post. She is an embarrassment to any sensible person.
bg commented:
++
sarc on/
Obama et al stopped calling it a GWOT,
etc.. are AQ et al “illegitimate” yet??
/sarc off
==
Buffalobob commented:
Reff myself #31
Obscure post, co anchor with Keith Oberduffus.
bg commented:
++
DanStlMo @ 8:08 pm #9
re: [..] Law Enforcement problem instead of a war.]
Gorelick’s Wall
Even More Clever than ‘Gorelick’s Wall’
[One of the reasons that the U.S. was caught with its pants down on the morning of September 11, 2001, was that our in-the-field and here-at-home intelligence capabilities had been seriously handcuffed by the Clinton administration. (Democrats detest the FBI and CIA, you see, much the same way that the peace-nik demonstrators hated the cops — the ‘pigs.’ ) During Clinton’s policy-making years, someone had the bright idea (Jamie Gorelick, anyone? see — Gorelick’s Wall, WSJ ) to build a wall of separation, using legal means, to de-facilitate communication between the CIA and the FBI regarding transfer of sensitive information, including imminent threats. In other words, if the CIA learned about a threat, the FBI could have no knowledge of it except through court action (warrants, subpoenas, etc.), and vice versa. Result? Limited exchange of vital intelligence. Ultimately, the disaster of 9/11, and certainly other terrorist successes, were faciltated by our government.
What a glorious tool that was for the Democrats! Allowing them to undermine our national security – in the name of preventing those institutions whose purpose it is to look out for our safety from becoming too secretive and thereby becoming some kind of internal threat.
[..]
Obama knows exactly what he’s doing. In fact, the very existence of the so-called torture memos is a gift for the Democrats — a crisis which must not be wasted, a tool which must be used for all the potential damage that can be gotten from it. If Obama can successfully strip our covert operative in the CIA of valid methods of interrogation, be they harsh or mild, he can seriously shackle their ability to do what we, the citizens who depend on them, need them to do.
Here’s the first level of fallout from the release of the memos – CIA going into self-protection mode, what they refer to as “slow rolling” (excellent description of that here, at Real Clear Politics: How Obama’s Decision Hurt the CIA. Also, at Red State: Obama Continues To March Toward More American Deaths.)
Note also that Barack Obama is cleverly keeping himself above it all.
First he declares, essentially, that he believes that investigations or prosecutions regarding the matter are not in our nation’s best interest. Then he goes to the CIA at Langely and tells them, basically, “I know I just tied your hands and asked you to keep fighting the good fight, but you’ll be better off for the handcuffs, in the long run. I’m on your side!” Then the following day, he washed his hands of the matter by deferring the decision-making to Eric Holder, the attorney general, as to whether or not prosecution is warranted. That way he can sit back comfortably, having immunized himself from the responsibility.
In truth, President Obama is completely responsible.]
and that’s not even considering Iran’s Nukes, not to
mention the connections w/in the Oval Office.. *sigh*
==
Opus #6 commented:
This is the exact reason I did NOT want Obama elected pResident.
bg commented:
++
Buffalobob @ 9:52 pm #31
affirmative action?? perhaps..
with a whole lot of help from his friends..
==
archer52 commented:
Two things affect me now. 1. Watching one of Obama’s picks act surprised that terrorists attack with such aggressiveness and with a lone terrorist is so far beyond acceptable that she must go. This is a case where they can’t keep her mouth shut long enough to save her job.
2. The more things change the more they stay the same. In about four hours I’ll be heading on a trip to see my father who is failing. During this time he complained about how disappointed he was in the way the country is being led by Obama. The words have an eerie familiarity. In 1979 my grandfather was dying of cancer. It was during Carter’s administration. I remember sitting with him and he complained about the foolishness of Carter. “Wish, I’m glad I’m dying.” He said to me. I was just a teenager back then and didn’t understand. I asked why and he said, “I’m embarrassed to be an American.”
For that I’ll never forgive Jimmy Carter. And now, as my father weakens, having to watch this fool run us into the ground, I find myself equally unforgiving.
Shame on all of them.
mark commented:
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. Mainly because I don’t know if this dereliction of duty is deliberate or the result of a missing brain.
Neoavatara commented:
This would be funny…if it weren’t so scary.
http://neoavatara.com/blog/?p=8449
bg commented:
++
re: Iran (just a sample):
Iran’s al Qaeda connection in Yemen
[The attempted Christmas Day underwear bombing of Northwest Flight 253 may have Iranian fingerprints, but those are dots the Obama administration doesn't want to connect.
Iran and al Qaeda have made mutual war on America in Yemen before. In November 2008, Western security officials intercepted a letter signed by bin Laden deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri thanking Iran for its "vision" in helping al Qaeda establish a foothold in Yemen after being routed from Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The terror leader praised Tehran for its "monetary and infrastructure assistance" related to a September 2008 attack on the U.S. Embassy in Yemen's capital Sana'a. Sixteen people were killed in the attack, which featured machine gun and rocket fire supporting a double suicide car bombing.
Last January, Saudi Guantanamo alumnus Mohammed Atiq Awayd al-Harbi (a.k.a. al-Awfi, or detainee No. 333) turned up in a videotape as a leader of the newly formed al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the organization that recruited Flight 253 bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab. Al-Awfi had been released to Saudi custody in 2007 and went through Saudi jihadist deprogramming before being set free. He turned himself back in to Saudi authorities in February 2009 and testified that Iran was involved in supporting Shi'ite rebels in Yemen, and was also making cash available to al Qaeda.
[..]
Al Qaeda’s interests are obvious. At his confirmation hearing in May, Mr. Feltman said that the United States is “deploying new approaches to the threat posed by Iran with our eyes wide open and with no illusions.” The Obama team might want to open their eyes a little wider. ]
much more @ link..
Obama is the illusion.. he is the
one their eyes need opening to..
==
jim from cleveland commented:
Perhaps I’m getting older, but as I look at this government, I’m left wondering how so many dopes have gotten into such high places. I’ve never seen so many overrated intellects in my life.
jorgen commented:
I am most surprised by Janet Incompetano’s stupidity.
MVH commented:
She finds Al Qaeda’s determination surprising? How absolutely revolting! She says this even after 9-11 and the different attacks perpetrated by Muslims against our troops last year on our own soil??!!!
This stupid cow needs to resign or be fired!
Mr. Bear commented:
My cat’s more qualified for the job than Janet.
Fuzzy commented:
Clueless.
TaSS commented:
Jose Padilla?
Richard Reid?
Nidal Hasan?
Anything starting to strike a bell with her?
Mark Well commented:
It would be hilarious, except she will get people killed.
wtd commented:
Quote from above: “. . .not just the determination of al Qaeda and al Qaeda Arabian Peninsula. . .”
why this dual characterization ? Is the Arabian Peninsula version a bit more s-p-e-c-i-a-l? al Qaeda is al Qaeda – a distinction without a difference. . .got it?!
Howard 1 commented:
Yes, she is surprised they aren’t determined like “right wing” conspirators here in the US (including veterans). Why is she still in this position, Obama?
Howard 1 commented:
It was not an act of terror…it was a teaching moment.
kevino commented:
I’m most surprised by Janet Napolitano’s stupidity. There is a difference between ignorance and stupidity: ignorance is curable.
southernsue commented:
this is all going to plan for soros and his ally obama and company. david howoritz,sp?, has an inside look at the deviant plot to the USA from these people. the only failure that obama is looking at, imho, is that the guy did not blow up the plane. i feel this way because obama was briefed on this subject before one of his many vacations. remember obama is half american white the other half is muslim black.
avery commented:
She also want let I.C.E do their job.
southernsue commented:
oh and by the way, the way you carry out your devious plan to thwart the USA is to appoint stupid people that don’t know what they are doing, meanwhile appointing marxist czars. that is why no one will be held accountable for this attempt to blow up the plane, the ft hood shootings, the CIA killings, etc.
oh by the way, i am not a conspirator, just a tea party terrorist.
Eric commented:
Since when did suicide bombers run in packs?
Since they were elected/appointed/assigned to political positions in the United States of America with a D by their name.
fdcol63 commented:
Oh – AQ, other Islamist terrorists, and potential adversaries like Russia, China and North Korea are trembling right now.
But not in fear. They’re laughing so hard at Obama and his advisors – and the whole US – that they’re trying to keep from pissing their pants.
LP commented:
Hey, at least she’s honest. I mean, stupid as a squirrel, more naive than Bambi, and dumber than Elmer Fudd, but honest. She truly believed that if America elected Obama and he ran around the world fellating our enemies and belittling our allies, that our enemies would stop trying to kill us and our allies would love us even more.
aprilnovember811 commented:
Like the majority of the country that voted for this loser Obama, did she think they just went away?
People will die because of Obama and the rest of these marxists in office.
Robert commented:
Meanwhile, Obama states that we are at war (good) with al Qaeda (plus many more that he still does not want to acknowledge). And we have no indication of wartime planning going on other than some bureaucratic adjustments. Our intelligence community is flat on their back, and understandably so. Our State Department has become invisible. The Secretary of Homeland Security is focusing on airport procedures, a function of the Secretary of Transportation.
Rather than facing extended interrogation and uncertainty, probably providing addtional valuable intelligence, Abdulmutallab has a lawyer and Constitutional protections. Upon indictment, the American public is assured of more legal and moral contortions by lawyers to be paid huge sums courtesy of harried American taxpayers. He is in court today, where we are spending a huge amount of money on “security” and lawyers are ensuring that his “rights” are accorded.
The “smart” bunch is proving to be a group of bumblers.
The priorities are political correctness, civilian trials, closing Gitmo, apologizing and bowing and scraping, more political correctness, and minor tweaking of the fabled government aparatus which includes political patronage combined with affirmative action in high-level appointments. These ideologues think they can fight a war using lawyers and criminal courts?
Terrorists get protected while our warriors get prosecuted.
Obama’s actions include lawyerin and meddling about with the bureacracy. His mindset and vision portrays the oft-stated view of treating this as a law enforcement problem, despite his only slightly emboldened rhetoric of yesterday.
LibertyAtStake commented:
Just embarrassing to the human race. Even my Great Dane shows the ability to learn. Haven’t seen it in these hacks yet.
vrytix commented:
Just about everything that Obama says is either a lie or a flip-flop. He obviously doesn’t care and seems to presume that most Americans are just idiots with very short term memories.
Joe Biden is a court jester.
Janet Napolitano says something idiotic every time she makes a public statement.
If it wasn’t so serious, it would be funny – sort of like watching the Keystone Kops and seeing people throwing pies at each other.
As it is, how can anyone respect these people in the current administration?
bg commented:
++
vrytix @ 4:50 pm #66
re: [As it is, how can anyone respect these
people in the current administration?]
why yes, Islamists absolutely adore Barry,
uh, Hussein, er, Barack, uh what’shisname..
not to be confused with anti-Political Islam/Sharia Law Islamists..
==