I was tootling around yesterday looking for more information wrt the Toronto Terrorists, of particular interest to me since I live in Toronto. In fact, one of the men picked up in the sweep in 2001 worked at a 7/11 in my neighborhood, so I wanted to see if I recognized anyone.

I didn’t, but I did read some interesting things. Unfortunately, I can’t find the blog where I read this, but here’s the jist.

There has been a lot of talk about the 3 tons of fertilizer these guys bought both in terms of cost and danger.

Apparently the cost is about $1200. Not so expensive if you ask me. So I don’t think deep pockets from AlQaeda were necessary. The men are apparently a tribute band of terrorists.

The amount bought isn’t outrageous, if used for its stated purpose. I read that it would fertilize 50 to 70 acres. [Edit: I was not trying to imply that amount wouldn’t make a dangerous bomb, just that people can and do actually buy that amount, without nefarious purposes in mind.]

Since 2001, it is not made in Canada anymore. You have to import it from the Southern US. All large purchases of the stuff are tracked, so the government forces knew who had this.

In fact, I just read on the http://cbc.ca site that undercover agents sold them harmless chemicals that only looked like ammonium nitrate. So the visions of terrible damage that the government nipped in the bud, are just that — visions.

The 17 people arrested are all 25 or younger (mostly younger), except for a 30 yr old and 43 yr old. Several are protected by young offenders act because they are under 18. Two of them are already in jail (apparently they tried to smuggle guns into Canada).

I am not downplaying what these guys wanted to do, I am trying to point out that they were miles away from actually being able to do it.

They were tracked by security forces, sold fake goods by security forces and then stopped by security forces.

I have to admit I question the timing of the arrests. Stockwell “Doris” Day, the minister responsible is notorious in Canada for his truthy positions and political gaffes.

I would not have put it past him to pull the trigger on this on the order of, or as a favour for the government in the US.

Harper’s government is determined to remold Canada into a nation that the Religious right would be proud of. Making us all scared is just part of that.

Tags: terror in Canada, de-elect Harper, manufacturing fear

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