Pixelated Semantics

A schizotypical inventory

Dirty and dirtier

An article in The Australian today on "dirty bomb" potentials for this country contains some facts that contradict the political spin that usually informs reporting on the issue. It reports a 'dirty bomb'

'...actually would not do much damage in terms of killing people because a dirty bomb is not a weapon of mass destruction - it's a matter of mass disruption.'

Indeed, it is revealed that '...caesium, exploded in 4.5kg of TNT, would create a radioactive cloud that would kill no one immediately'.

The final paragraph also quietly raises very important points:

'While concern about dirty bombs remains high, some Western intelligence analysts are sceptical about al-Qa'ida's ability to launch another major conventional attack similar to that of September 11. Experts believe the leadership, currently in hiding, is unable to strike, leaving it to groups inspired by Osama Bin Laden to take the initiative.'

Note even the reporting itself describes the disparity between 'concern' and 'ability'; and the mention of 'groups inspired by' severely downplays whether an AQ-led global Jihad even exists.

Item posted by AutoEditor at 3:43 pm ::