NBC News has learned that U.S. and British authorities had a significant disagreement over when to move in on the suspects in the alleged plot to bring down trans-Atlantic airliners bound for the United States.
A senior British official knowledgeable about the case said British police were planning to continue to run surveillance for at least another week to try to obtain more evidence, while American officials pressured them to arrest the suspects sooner. The official spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the case.
In contrast to previous reports, the official suggested an attack was not imminent, saying the suspects had not yet purchased any airline tickets. In fact, some did not even have passports.
So, the U.S. couldn’t, say, advise travelers that liquids and gels would be banned on all flights beginning at midnight? What, and diminish the newsteria?
Tuesday: Lieberman loses
Wednesday: White House says Democrats favor terrorists
Thursday: Big plot, arrests in Britain, airport lunacy in the name of security
As Jimmy Jones sang:
Oh you need timin’ a tick a tick a tick a
Good timin’ a tock a tock a tock a tock a
Timin’ is the thing it’s true
Good timin’ brought me to you