Cell Phones
In a frightening development, two university students are being held in Marietta, Ohio, charged with terrorist activities. Their crime? Purchasing 600 low-priced cell phones at Wal-Marts and Radio Shacks in small towns throughout southeastern Ohio. In the same week, 3 Texas men were arraigned in Caro, Michigan on terrorism-related charges after police found 1,000 cell phones in their minivan. In both instances, the accused claim they were purchasing the phones for resale to make money. However, cell phones are used by terrorists to detonate roadside bombs and finance the purchase of weapons. In Middle Eastern countries, cheap American cell phones bring $300 and more.
The Ohio students may have been duped by a local businessman, but they may also have been drawn into a radical religious faction with ties to terrorism in Lebanon, Iraq or Afghanistan. The Texas men are suspected by the FBI of targeting the Mackinac Bridge which separates Michigan's Upper and Lower peninsulas.
Terrorism isn't happening just overseas. Terrorism is here on our doorstep, in the bucolic small towns of America's heartland where terrorists feel safe from prying eyes as they collect resources for their heinous acts. Thankfully, there are vigilant citizens out there like the Marietta Radio Shack employee who called police. He took seriously a police flyer warning about large cell phone purchases and contacted police immediately so they were able to find and arrest the two young men.
Vigilance is everyone's job. Terrorism succeeds where there is apathy. If you see something suspicious, something that doesn't seem quite right, contact your local police. These days it is better to error on the side of caution.
The Ohio students may have been duped by a local businessman, but they may also have been drawn into a radical religious faction with ties to terrorism in Lebanon, Iraq or Afghanistan. The Texas men are suspected by the FBI of targeting the Mackinac Bridge which separates Michigan's Upper and Lower peninsulas.
Terrorism isn't happening just overseas. Terrorism is here on our doorstep, in the bucolic small towns of America's heartland where terrorists feel safe from prying eyes as they collect resources for their heinous acts. Thankfully, there are vigilant citizens out there like the Marietta Radio Shack employee who called police. He took seriously a police flyer warning about large cell phone purchases and contacted police immediately so they were able to find and arrest the two young men.
Vigilance is everyone's job. Terrorism succeeds where there is apathy. If you see something suspicious, something that doesn't seem quite right, contact your local police. These days it is better to error on the side of caution.
