These announcements go both ways for me... on one hand, it's good to notify the public that officials are aware of potential attacks... hopefully this will help to disrupt the attacks. On the other hand, it tips off those who are planning and hurts our ability to catch them.

If the notification wasn't given, and the attack happened, think of the blowback once it was announced that this information existed but wasn't disseminated.

this info has probably been know for a while, i hope the plan has been thwarted!!

I thought Bush was keeping those terrorists at bay in Iraq; otherwise "they'd follow us home." As usual, Bush's arguments for staying in Iraq are shot full of holes.

I believe that it's wrong to call someone a "typical" [insert nationality, religion,gender] People can't be grouped like that. We're all people. What is really wrong is that people hate people because of a label and they want to destory or hurt them. We all can rise above that, cuz it doesn't matter what we are, but who we are as individuals. As individuals we can be respectful to each other.

What you all need to think about is that we all breathe the same air, bleed the same blood, have children and die the same way and if we all don't realize that we need to take care of one another and stop hating for the sake of hating, we're going to all be plant feed for the next intelligent life to inhabit our planet once we kill ourselves off

How long will it take us as humans on planet earth to stop destroying and killing each other in the name of religion? When will we understand that we are one human family even though we may believe different things, have different colors, languages, religions and other superficial differences?
JP

Don't worry. None of these plots ever seem to get off the ground because potential terrorist can't keep their plans to themselves.

David,
I more than agree with your opinion that we are all members of the human family, and that we should respect one another. The problem with that is however, when evil wages war on good, we can no longer think like that for the welfare of our greater nation and world. When evil wages war against good, good must lay down tolerance and understanding, and wage war against evil.

The ignorance, paranoia, lack of education, and blind acceptance of mass media as truth in this country is such a shame. This thread is just another example

the threats (ral or preceived) seem to parallel the Bush administration's poll numbers. Remember all the number two Al Qaeda operatives that get caught in time for elections, or other terror plots that get foiled just in time to get up tick in the polls. Uhhmmm..I wonder what is next??

The current security threat in the UK is unchanged.

Prehaps this story is for American consumption only. To taje people's mins off three missing US soldiers prehaps?

ABCNews does a great job of covering these events. I especially like the Blotter and the threads are full of good conversation. I think al Qaeda is trying to keep foriegn tourists from going to America to spend their money.

Well Peter we can tell you are a moron. You probably think the war was for oil, and that Saddam did not have bio-chemical weapons. Islamic fundamentalists are out to kill all non-muslims, anywhere in the world they can. I returned Friday from England, and I can say the airlines are vigilant. More security is better than no security. I praise those that are protecting me and my family.

The German and US agencies must think the terrorists are going into "operational" mode...perhaps they were able to ditch their 24 surveillance? That would start ME worrying about their next moves! The Brits may not be as open about their response (if any) or they may not feel the info is as reliable as the Germans and the US. Intel analysis is more an Art than a Science anyway. If in Germany keep your eys open I guess.

"None of these plots ever seem to get off the ground because potential terrorist can't keep their plans to themselves." - Budge, where have you been since the 1970's? A few years ago, I saw a plot get off the ground a couple miles from my house...big 110 story buildings...kaboom...

Anyway, I'm sure most people aren't scared of flying into the US; it's good to have security precautions in place, though.

Just go on with your lives...

Ha ha, they are making air marshalls ride in coach.

Dear disappointed, you have choice. My son is fighting so that you do.

People -- nice for you all to want a love fest, but terrorists don't think --they are zombies for their cause. The reason they are "following us home" - is that no one but the USA is doing anything serious about the terror problem. Europe has embraced diversity to the point where the Muslims now own you. Europe is really not much different than Iraq when it comes to allowing terror minded people to raom free. US passengers are more than ready to stop a plot in an aircraft unlike their European pacifist counterparts who now expect US Air Marshalls to protect them. Everybody better wake up these terror events aren't going to end until we band together and realize what is really going on -- these folks want to own the planet at any cost and it won't matter if George Bush or Hillary Clinton is president of the US. They are equal opportunity killers.

I love the Brits. i hope that we can work together more often. Cheers!

None of these will happen if USA didnt support Israeli with their terrorist activities against Palestinians, attack Iraq with false accusation which till now no proved at all!!! except Saddam is a dictator leader and Iraq is better during Saddam then it is now! Usama Bin Laden till now is nowhere to be found!!USA will never feel safe until the US Government change their policies and make USA good in the eyes of the world!

Ever wonder why Isreali airplanes don't have this problem--I'LL TELL YOU WHY, they don't let these animals on airplanes.
And for those who scream discrimination, TOUGH. It keeps the rest of us safe.

Oooo! Scary terrorists plotting again! Everyone into the cellar! What a bunch of cowards this nation has become.

Grant Savage:Oooo! Scary terrorists plotting again! "Everyone into the cellar! What a bunch of cowards this nation has become".

Apparently Grant, you have never visited Ground Zero. 3000 Dead. We are NOT "hiding in the cellar" as you put it, we are being vigilant so attacks like that are not repeated. You better bet your rear that AQ is plotting again, and that we are as a nation doing everything possible to prevent it. Brian is correct. You do not hear of things like this happening on El Al because they do not let political correctness get in the way of security. And I am a patriotic Democrat, so don't give me the GWB hurrahs. Things aren't going so well in Iraq under his "leadership".

Don't play that 9/11 crap with me. That pig won't fly. If you want to let AQ call the plays or resort to the racist policies that ELAl uses, that is your affair. We're no longer the Home of The Brave, but Home of the Cowards. Vigilant?

LOL I agree with Grant. The new generation of Americans are mostly liberal wimps. No one wants to go and fight anymore. The Greatest Generation from the 40s we're the last toughest Americans that have ever lived. Americans were tougher then. Today's Americans are more concerned about American idol then wanting to win wars abroad whether we belong there or not. I truly believe that this country will be screwed in the next 50 years if we as Americans don't stand up and get up off our lazy butts to straighten the world back into its place.

This is why we need our troops on the streets in our major cities. The threats are coming fast and thick and we should take them seriously. Our troops exist to protect our civilians from armed attack. And these jihadis are armed attackers. That means the police are not good enough to do the job and meet the threat level. And should we have aggressive searches of suspects: hell yes!

" Israeli with their terrorist activities against Palestinians,"

--What rubbish. More typical anti-semite proganda, ...as expected. Do you know that Israel's Arab citizens live a lot better off with more rights than other arab minorities in Arab lands? Tehy can vote, have eaqual say in elections, etc, etc. You try to live in Israel and you will see you have a voice, unheard of in most Islamic regions. Also, do us a favour and read teh real history of the regin adn you wil lfind how "Plestinians" are not a real people group but from a pool of Arab refugees, left in waht was then considered a watsteland. "Paletstine" was never ever a formal potlical entiy as "Paletstinians" are now trying to portray it. It has always been ruled by invaders, however Israel has historically been the Jewish homeland. BTW, did you know that "jerusalm" is not even consdiered a holy place in the Koran--not mentioned once. Now, it is used, like the Palestinians as a political tool against Jewish peoples.

Im British and I dont support the troops of the US and the UK taken into Iraq for a pack of lies. People dont attack Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland and other countries launching wars. Somebody said "we know Saddam had chemical weapons - we sold them to him in the 80s when we were supporting Iraq fighting Iran". Read some history. Post WWI we divided up the region - with little more thought than a sketch on the back of a napkin.

Oh Please

Jerusalem is mentioned in the Koran because our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is recognised as a messenger in the Holy Koran.

Try again

"People dont attack Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland..."

Tell that to Theo Van Gogh!

nice to see terrorists improving the image of the islamic world again...

These comment threads generally consist of several sane people rejecting the obvious fear-based programming right from the beginning. Then the operatives show up and disaggregate that sanity, turning these comment threads into their own circus. I'm happy that more people every day are getting wise and coming together. Its a great opportunity for humanity to rid ourselves of those elitist parasites. Its a great day to be alive! Fear is a prison, extricate yourselves from their fear-based control! And celebrate together!

I just flew back to the US from Frankfurt (May 13) and didn't see one person who looked like an "air marshal" on the flight. And this was one day after this "big story" broke.

The "Greatest Generation" were those that fought on the wrong side and joined with communism in giving up America's culture and heritage. When you watch the nation being further pushed towards the third-world and a vassal state of Israel, look no further than to the "Greatest Generation" who made it all possible. They squandered everything and doomed the nation.

Why are they writing an article about the numbers and seating of air marshals? In my opinion this is complete BS, why do they feel the need to disseminate that kind of information. The advantage air marshalls have is they don't know exactly where they are sitting and how many are on board, then ABC posts an article about coverage, seating, and numbers. NOT GOOD!

If everyone wants the "terrorists" to stay away, why then doesn't someone, namely GW Bush CLOSE OUR BORDERS to foreign illegals???? Terrorists are WALKING into the US EVERY DAY. No problems, no arrests, no NOTHING. If something happens, you can thank Bush for this favor he is doing for you and then telling you that they are just "doing jobs AMERICAN JUST WON'T DO." Ha! Ha! BULL-ONEY! There are no jobs Americans won't do except BLOWING EACH OTHER UP WITH BOMBS!

That's right, Lulu, it's those evil Israelis who are strapping bombs onto their children and sending them off to kill innocent civilians.

What the Palestinians are doing goes against the whole history of human existence -- mothers (and fathers) sacrificing their children to kill and maim other innocents -- and then claiming pride in their actions. They're sick.

Why are we playing by the rules with the terrorists when they are planning to kill us? Waiting until we have evidence to arrest them gives them the advantage. The reason we have a CIA is to kill terrorists before they can make their move. So let's get it done.

hi
Its good to hear that,if they are so concerned about the security of themselves they should regard and respect the integrity of other countries,if someone who can create trouble in any form can labelled as terrorist ,i believe carrying airstrikes and forcibly threatening others
by weapons is the biggest and worst form of terrorism.,
they should know the root cause of terrorism thats is illegally occupying and murdering innocents in the name of democracy

This is something that should not have been broadcast. How are you going to catch them if you let them know you're watching?

Too close for comfort?

Thanks ABC, for reminding me to tow the line.

good work exposing our defenses against terrorists, AGAIN, Brian Ross. Good work!

Regarding the comment Joe T. made about not seeing anyone who "looked like marshalls." I think that is the whole point in that you are not suppose to know who is and who isn't.

My first time getting edited out; I'll try again. Regarding Joe T.'s comment about not seeing an obvious "air marshal". I think that's the point that you are not suppose to know who they are. He or she could be sitting next to you.

Nothing like putting our stategy out there for the terrorists- thanks Richard Esposito and Rhonda Schwartz.

GREAT! Why don't we just post the flight schedules and names of the "security guys" on Aljazeera so AQ can get it...NICE WORK...NOT!

Personally I feel that it should be common practice to have "air marshals" on all flights be they national or international after all they need to catch these couples who passionately make out and cause discomfort to others who might witness such an event! That last part was meant as a joke of course. But seriously I think some of the marshals be obvious,ie. in uniform and some not so obvious. And no I don't believe the media should be making making major announcements about our security plans. Evil-doers are opportunists sometimes and they will 'strike' when our defenses are down either on the ground or in flight. We just need to go on with living not being fearful, but vigilant. There's no 100% guarantee there will be the government or anyone there to protect you at all times. We have a responsibility to be alert and prepared and to report any suspicious activity to authorities. Anyone no matter their race, religion, or nationality could be someone plotting to create havoc and do us harm!

Let me understand this:

The British are abandoning us in Iraq.

The Germans screwed America over on Iraq both in supplying WMD to Saddam and not supporting the war.

Now it is AMERICANS protecting flights these Europeans are responsible for?????

Beam me up Scottie or should it be European daycare by US taxpayers. Criminey they can't help out and now they can't even protect their own flights.