August 31, 2007

I Guess They Weren't Fireworks After All

The two University of South Florida students arrested in Goose Creek have been indicted on explosives and terrorism charges, the AP reports today (via Michelle Malkin):

Two Egyptian students at the University of South Florida were indicted Friday for carrying explosive materials across states lines and one of them was charged with teaching the other how to use them for violent reasons.

Ahmed Abdellatif Sherif Mohamed, 24, an engineering graduate student and teaching assistant at the Tampa-based university, faces terrorism charges for teaching and demonstrating how to use the explosives.

He and Youssef Samir Megahed, 21, an engineering student, were stopped for speeding in Goose Creek, S.C., on Aug. 4, where they have been held on state charges.

For some reason, this story got a lot of pushback in the blogosphere. Here at CQ, several commenters derided the notion of its importance, claiming that the students only had fireworks in the trunk. Apparently a grand jury has decided otherwise.

The indictment goes further than the story initially went, too. Mohamed, who works at the same university where convicted terrorist enabler Sami al-Arian taught, apparently provided assistance in more than just engineering. His indictment includes instructing others on how to build and set off bombs.

Florida seems to be popular with terrorists and wannabes. How many of Mohamed's students have the FBI found?

UPDATE: Via Fly-Man, al-Arian did not get convicted of terrorist financing, but of "material support".

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/tabhacht.cgi/12330

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference I Guess They Weren't Fireworks After All:

» South Carolina Muslims Indicted from preciseTruth Commentary Weblog
Those hapless youths who were arrested with pipe bombs (and oxygen tanks) in South Carolina recently have now been indicted on terrorism related charges in Florida. AP : Fla. Students Face Explosives Indictment - indicted Friday for carrying explo [Read More]

Comments (25)

Posted by cvsusn | August 31, 2007 1:08 PM

Several commenters derided the notion of the importance of the arrest???

These two "students" were stopped for a minor traffic violation. That minor traffic violation resulted in a combined $800K bail. One does not receive that kind of bail for lack of importance.

Mark it. There is more to this story to come. They were from the Tampa area, home to Central Command (CENTCOM). They were in Goose Creek where the Charleston Naval Weapons Station is located and home to a brig that at one time housed Jose Padilla. Where were they headed? Who were they meeting? What was found in their homes, on their laptops, CDs, DVDs?

Heads up. Pay attention to what's going on with the two missing men regarding the ferries in the Seattle area, too.

FWIW,

Carl

Posted by cvsusn | August 31, 2007 1:10 PM

Several commenters derided the notion of the importance of the arrest???

These two "students" were stopped for a minor traffic violation. That minor traffic violation resulted in a combined $800K bail. One does not receive that kind of bail for lack of importance.

Mark it. There is more to this story to come. They were from the Tampa area, home to Central Command (CENTCOM). They were in Goose Creek where the Charleston Naval Weapons Station is located and home to a brig that at one time housed Jose Padilla. Where were they headed? Who were they meeting? What was found in their homes, on their laptops, CDs, DVDs?

Heads up. Pay attention to what's going on with the two missing men regarding the ferries in the Seattle area, too.

FWIW,

Carl

Posted by SonnyJim | August 31, 2007 1:40 PM

I'm certainly glad these guys are found out and being charged with explosives handling violations. However, I have to admit that this strikes me funny;

"one of them was charged with teaching the other how to use them for violent reasons."

Hunh? Exactly what kind of crime is it to teach someone something? Are all the service members in MacDill etc in danger of being charged similarly? I'd like to see that statute and read it. Talk about thought crime. I'm really hoping this is another instance of Journalistic Ignorance shining over a misunderstanding of something.

Posted by Steven Donegal | August 31, 2007 1:42 PM

Thank God the Republic is safe and the good burghers of Goose Creek, S.C. can sleep soundly again. Here in Seattle, we're pretty sure those two fellas were plants by the ferry service to try and get some good Homeland Security grants to beef up security in the cargo holds (which will first require rebuilding the ferries to have cargo holds). I"m not sure which is worse--the Nanny State of the libs or the "Boogeyman is Coming" State so seemingly loved by Patriotic Republicans.

Posted by NoDonkey | August 31, 2007 2:03 PM

"the "Boogeyman is Coming" State so seemingly loved by Patriotic Republicans."

Yes, it's sad how so many Americans were duped by the people who we so-called "killed" on 9/11 by the "Boogeyman".

Apparently, they now all reside with the "Boogeyman", laughing at the rest of us. Ho ho!

It was all just a plot to enable the feds to find out what library books we read and to listen into our boring, inane phone conversations.

So forget about "connecting the dots". There's nothing to connect. Or even any dots.

Just incense and peppermints.

Attempting to defend the country against people who vow daily to kill us, is EXACTLY the same as the libs wanting to regulate our behavior on pretty much everything, up to and including how we wipe our butts after giving birth to more Congressional Democrats.


Posted by PersonFromPorlock | August 31, 2007 2:11 PM

I'm still a little skeptical; you'd think 'bombs' would be pretty obvious and get quicker action than we've seen. A CYA indictment remains a possibility and it still won't surprise me if they plead to some minor offense and accept deportation (to the relief of all, especially officials).

Well, we'll see.

Posted by pk | August 31, 2007 2:23 PM

Jim, Donegal, Donkey

these guys, the seattle ferry bunch, quite a few of the others that have shown up are of military age and bearing. short haircuts, very physically fit, good natural eyesight, dress neatly, move around in pairs, talk in short sentances and although they do not know the territory that well find their way about with minimal problems.

just happen to be in places public to security sensitive areas, installations.

JUST WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOU GUYS, ARE YOU VIEWING THIS THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF A SHOTGLASS OR A BEER BOTTLE.

you certainly don't seem to be picking up on the things that are important.

C

Posted by Otter | August 31, 2007 2:28 PM

To people like steve or fillisto, this is just more 'red meat' for the savages- i.e., anyone not a 'progressive.'

Posted by Otter | August 31, 2007 2:30 PM

To people like steve or fillisto, this is just more 'red meat' for the savages- i.e., anyone not a 'progressive.'

Posted by swabjockey05 | August 31, 2007 2:34 PM

pk Trust me. NoDonk was being sarcastic.

Posted by pk | August 31, 2007 2:43 PM

swab jockey 05

ok if you swear on your early to chow 5 times in a row ribbon.

C

Posted by Tom W. | August 31, 2007 3:11 PM

Leftists screech about global warming destroying the planet unless all of us--except for Democrat elites--switch to bicycles and candles. This, however, is not fear mongering.

Fear mongering is arresting Muslim men who load their cars with illegal explosives and teach others how to use them. In other words, to protect yourself from terrorism is irrational.

This is the kind of "thinking" we get from people who hold up Al Gore and Michael Moore as examples of honesty, healthy living, and responsible consumption.

Posted by Uncle Jefe | August 31, 2007 3:31 PM

Dave should be here any minute to tell us all about how this is 'muslim persecution', and an overreaction based on racial profiling.

Posted by swabjockey05 | August 31, 2007 3:38 PM

Jefe,

Maybe not...looks like the shyster has some of his minions carrying the water for him...

pk. Don't have that ribbon...like many of my brown shoe collegues, I try to maintain my svelte, girlish figure. You'd best tread softly, shipmate, I'll bet NoDonk has more sea time than you do...

Posted by pk | August 31, 2007 4:31 PM

when they asked me to ship over i invariably developed a hand problem that involved the involuntary shortening of the seconddary tendon in my right hand.

however i did figure out that it was better to wear civilian clothes and draw a paycheck every two weeks. that i have done for about 1250 times.

and no my dress blues have not fit for 40 some odd years.

C

Posted by NahnCee | August 31, 2007 4:57 PM

At least Mr. Donegal has the courage of his non-convictions and is willing to post his name where terrorist Muslims beheaders can see it, the better to track him down and blow him up in his bed with left-over fireworks explosives.

Maybe we should invite all the Donegal, filistro, dave-types to congregate in one city -- Berkeley seems like a nice choice -- and *then* invite angry Muslim mobs to do a swift round of Islamic vengeance activities just to show them what sort of toy is is they're playing with. Maybe we could distribute t-shirts with Mohammad cartoons on them so the libs would have a choice of going bare-naked before an understanding Muslim mob, or wearing an certified Islam-inciting t-shirt to cover up their sinful nakedness.

Posted by dave | August 31, 2007 6:14 PM

You're talking about me before I post. How flattering.
It's so creepy to do a Lexis Nexis search and see the Captains site listed as if it were news...
Anyway, they also asked for DNA samples! They must be terrorists!
Yeh, they got charged. Of course this has to happen when you arrest someone. We'll see what happens Sept 21 at the hearing. Maybe they were going to bring down the Statue of Liberty with that pipe bomb. I made a pipe bomb when I was a teenager from ground up model rocket engines (my friend showed me how - terrorist!), and it blew a hole clear through a garbage can and flew 50 feet down the alley. I am sure something like that could kill thousands.

Posted by Otter | August 31, 2007 7:16 PM

Dave is apparently a product of the public schools, believing that the Statue of Liberty is in South Carolina.... At least you still have your hands, dave, unlike a certain terrorist who constantly speaks out against all things West in London...

Posted by Bennett | August 31, 2007 8:10 PM

"Florida seems to be popular with terrorists and wannabes."

It's the year round sunshine. And the great beaches. Oh, and Disney World.

I have no idea what these two people were planning but I don't think it had anything to do with a military installation. That's not really the M.O. is it? Don't they go after civilian sites? Soft targets.

Posted by Joseph Ferry | August 31, 2007 8:27 PM

Isn't it well past time to start interning Muslims and Arabs?

Posted by dave | August 31, 2007 9:07 PM

Otter:
"believing that the Statue of Liberty is in South Carolina"

They were headed away from the Navy base when they were pulled over, which makes you wonder how they were going to blow it up. I think they were headed for the statue.

And remember:

"The device reportedly made a loud bang, similar to a firecracker, when it was later demolished in a neighboring county."

A loud bang! The could hurt someone's ears!

Posted by davod | September 1, 2007 3:29 AM

"They were headed away from the Navy base when they were pulled over, which makes you wonder how they were going to blow it up. I think they were headed for the statue."

Ah Ah. They were picked up after they collected their explosives from the base.

All part of the vast Bush conspiracy.

Posted by the fly-man | September 1, 2007 9:38 AM

Sami Al-Arian was convicted of terrorist financing? Is that a true and factual statement? Is that like saying Scooter Libby was convicted of outing a CIA officer?

Posted by Captain Ed | September 1, 2007 9:43 AM

Actually, it was "material support", but not financing. I'll correct it above.

Posted by Minerva's Voice | September 1, 2007 11:57 AM

Jeesh - what;s with all the excitement? A couple of terrorist wannabes who can't even drive get picked up. Did anyone really think guys like that were NOT out there? Is anyone feeling really threatened by them?
On a 1 to 10 scale, this story rates about 1.10 - just under Sen Craig's resignation which rates a 1.4 (given his utter lack of importance as a senator) and Hsu's arrest (1.75).
We have better thingsa to talk about.

Post a comment