The AP has an article out today that reports about the FBI's information bulletin alerting local law enforcement through out the US that extremists are getting licenses to drive school buses. But the AP doesn't give us any specificity as to which extremists the FBI is referring except to describe them as foreign. Yep, that really narrows it down:
WASHINGTON (AP) - Suspected members of extremist groups have signed up as school bus drivers in the United States, counterterror officials said Friday, in a cautionary bulletin to police. An FBI spokesman said, "Parents and children have nothing to fear."
Asked about the alert notice, the FBI's Rich Kolko said, "There are no threats, no plots and no history leading us to believe there is any reason for concern," although law enforcement agencies around the country were asked to watch out for kids' safety.The bulletin, parts of which were read to The Associated Press, did not say how often foreign extremists have sought to acquire licenses to drive school buses, or where. It was sent Friday as part of what officials said was a routine FBI and Homeland Security Department advisory to local law enforcement.
It noted "recent suspicious activity" by foreigners who either drive school buses or are licensed to drive them, according to a counterterror official.
Foreigners under recent investigation include "some with ties to extremist groups" who have been able to "purchase buses and acquire licenses," the bulletin says.
But Homeland Security and the FBI "have no information indicating these individuals are involved in a terrorist plot against the homeland," it says. The memo also notes: "Most attempts by foreign nationals in the United States to acquire school bus licenses to drive them are legitimate."
Kolko said the bulletin was sent merely as an educational tool to help local police identify and respond to any suspicious activity.
One counterterror official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, said the government felt it was likely that the foreigners investigated were merely employed as bus drivers, and did not intend to use them as part of any terror plot.
A second official said the government felt it prudent that the backgrounds of all those who come in contact with school children be checked.
Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke said the government has no credible information to suggest terrorists are "involved in buying school buses or seeking licenses to drive them." He said there was no indication of any immediate threat to the country.



Comments (16)
Parents and children have n... (Below threshold)1. Posted by jennifer | March 16, 2007 7:43 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Parents and children have nothing to fear. Are they kidding? I have always believed that a very week link for Americans are our public schools. Now I read this!
I am so glad that I home school my kids!
1. Posted by jennifer | March 16, 2007 7:43 PM |
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Posted on March 16, 2007 19:43
2. Posted by nogo postal | March 16, 2007 7:47 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Oh No! what is our terror level at? ...pick a color any any color..put in back in the deck..now shuffles the deck...
Ya know...will there ever be any point is time when you quit quivering in fear? Yeah..I am concerned about bus drivers...but only because they mostly earn under $10.00 an hour for their serious responsibility.
Tell you what...our children learned at an early age..yep shadows of objects can scare you..never ...ever open your closet door..
So yes..be afraid of bus Drivers..
2. Posted by nogo postal | March 16, 2007 7:47 PM |
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Posted on March 16, 2007 19:47
3. Posted by Steve Crickmore | March 16, 2007 7:50 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Suspicious activity included the fact that the new bus drivers weren't interested in learning how to stop the school buses....I hope I'm just kidding.
3. Posted by Steve Crickmore | March 16, 2007 7:50 PM |
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Posted on March 16, 2007 19:50
4. Posted by _Mike_ | March 16, 2007 7:52 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
There's no terrorist threat to the U.S. The guy seated next to Jimmy Carter at the '04 Democrat Presidential convention said so!
4. Posted by _Mike_ | March 16, 2007 7:52 PM |
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Posted on March 16, 2007 19:52
5. Posted by nogo postal | March 16, 2007 7:55 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
What is your point..when the post contains this
Asked about the alert notice, the FBI's Rich Kolko said, "There are no threats, no plots and no history leading us to believe there is any reason for concern," although law enforcement agencies around the country were asked to watch out for kids' safety.
5. Posted by nogo postal | March 16, 2007 7:55 PM |
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Posted on March 16, 2007 19:55
6. Posted by ijosha | March 16, 2007 7:59 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
It's stories like this one that make me start to look around to see what is going on that they are trying to draw my attention away from.
6. Posted by ijosha | March 16, 2007 7:59 PM |
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Posted on March 16, 2007 19:59
7. Posted by slingshot | March 16, 2007 8:20 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
are you people really this paranoid? how do you even sleep at night? did you notice that everyone interviewed in this article said there was no actual threat? christ, almighty.
7. Posted by slingshot | March 16, 2007 8:20 PM |
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Posted on March 16, 2007 20:20
8. Posted by no way | March 16, 2007 8:37 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Cough*whitewash islam*cough. PSSSST this is AP, Associated with terrorist Press
8. Posted by no way | March 16, 2007 8:37 PM |
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Posted on March 16, 2007 20:37
9. Posted by what's in a name | March 16, 2007 8:42 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I speak peace when peace is spoken, But I speak war when your hate is provoking, The season is open 24-7-365, Man up yo time to ride, No need to hide behind slogans of deceit, Claiming that you're a religion of peace, We just don't believe you, We can clearly see through, The madness that you're feeding your people, Jihad the cry of your unholy war, Using the willing, the weak and poor, From birth drowning in propaganda, rhetoric and slander, All we can say is damn ya
My forefathers fought and died for this here
I'm stronger than your war of fear
Are we clear?
If you step in my hood
It's understood
It's open season
Stuck Mojo
9. Posted by what's in a name | March 16, 2007 8:42 PM |
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Posted on March 16, 2007 20:42
10. Posted by Dirka Dirka | March 16, 2007 8:49 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
mohaMAD Jihad:
Iraq
Afghanistan
Thailand
Phill.
Sudan
Somalia
Oh Hell all of Africa
Pakistan
Yemin
India
Spain
UK
Oh and of coarse Paris France
10. Posted by Dirka Dirka | March 16, 2007 8:49 PM |
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Posted on March 16, 2007 20:49
11. Posted by Brian | March 16, 2007 9:47 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
did you notice that everyone interviewed in this article said there was no actual threat?
Oh, that doesn't matter. As long as Kim can slam the AP for not giving us "any specificity as to which extremists the FBI is referring". Never mind that the FBI themselves didn't give any specificity. I guess when public officials provide incomplete information to the public, we should just blame the media that's reporting on it instead.
11. Posted by Brian | March 16, 2007 9:47 PM |
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Posted on March 16, 2007 21:47
12. Posted by jhow66 | March 16, 2007 10:31 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I say be more afraid of the likes of nogo pissoff,slingshit and brainless. Lets hear your favorite pharse now slingshit.
12. Posted by jhow66 | March 16, 2007 10:31 PM |
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Posted on March 16, 2007 22:31
13. Posted by RFYoung | March 17, 2007 10:09 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Moral Equivalance? Cultural Diversity?
I am probably alive today because my ancestors, in the old days, never let the Indians on the stage coach.
Now you are loading your children on the stage coach the Indians are driving.
There must be something in our drinking water!!
13. Posted by RFYoung | March 17, 2007 10:09 AM |
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Posted on March 17, 2007 10:09
14. Posted by nogo postal | March 17, 2007 8:42 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Yep be very afraid of nogo..I am a substitute in teacher(retired but still care)...for the past month..and till the end of the year on a long term assignment.. I am brainwashing the minds of a second-grade class..and they vulnerable..80% of these kids are from shelters for the homeless..this school was set up for this..
with irony as the fulcrum of our lives.. some here may be predisposed to believe their skin is darker..nope..just like me..well maybe not with freckles
...and yes..last week I had them reciting from Mao's Red Book(that's what ya want to hear right?)..when I talk to them about what they can become when they grow up? On Monday I am going to suggest School Bus Driver..
Tell you what..your petty fears are nothing compared to what these small kids face..
The courage of these kids to still love, smile, try, learn.. when doing that is very hard to do..that is courage..you folks don't have the courage of a bunch of 7 year-olds..
14. Posted by nogo postal | March 17, 2007 8:42 PM |
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Posted on March 17, 2007 20:42
15. Posted by eman | March 17, 2007 9:30 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Yep be very afraid of nogo.
Narc personality.
I am a substitute in teacher.
God help the children Amen.
.you folks don't have the courage of a bunch of 7 year-olds..
Well hell there darling, that's a mighty big brush your strokin'. How's about a full disclosure on the commenters on this here board? You game? Snicker Snort Snort
15. Posted by eman | March 17, 2007 9:30 PM |
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Posted on March 17, 2007 21:30
16. Posted by epador | March 18, 2007 10:28 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Well, someone thought it important enough to send out the general warning. If they did know about a single plot, I doubt they'd let on details for fear of spooking the t'rists. I suspect they may know about one or two, but are worried there are more out there they don't know about, and want more eyes and ears looking for this detail. Ain't it fun to speculate? Or is it more fun to interpret things and distort them in ways to support whatever agenda you may want to push?
As for substitute teachers, nogo, you get points for courage. As far as kids go, most have about as much respect for subs the first day as they do for advice for tucking in their shirts or tying their shoes... ...it sounds like you've run that gauntlet successfully. Shame it doesn't seem to work here. Maybe its because we're not ALL kids. Maybe you should try a new tactic...
16. Posted by epador | March 18, 2007 10:28 PM |
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Posted on March 18, 2007 22:28