Well, at least some people have the right idea. -Allen
Experts point out differences in Atlanta, TWA incidents
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The Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- With nerves already on edge after the suspicious downing of TWA Flight 800, the bombing at the Olympic Games in Atlanta on Saturday renewed concerns about U.S. safeguards against terrorism.
But analyses by security experts drew important distinctions between the incidents, and politicians cautioned against measures that would limit liberties.
Investigators have not officially determined what caused the Flight 800 tragedy, but if the jetliner was brought down by terrorists it was a relatively sophisticated operation.
By comparison, the device in Atlanta was easy to make and detonated in an easily accessible place. "I don't believe that a pipe bomb would have taken down that TWA plane," said a Treasury agent, who requested anonymity.
Another federal investigator noted differences between the Atlanta attack and Middle Eastern terrorists who often use high-powered truck bombs. And domestic militia groups tend to focus on government buildings, not crowds.
James Alan Fox, the dean of Northeastern University's criminal justice school and a student of criminal behavior, said there are basically two motivations for bombers: revenge and attention.
"The desire to make a statement can be that of a well-organized terrorist group that uses the victims as pawns to advance their cause, or it could be someone who is just interested in feeling important," he said.
Given the recent rise of violent anti-government groups, Fox speculated that a militia sympathizer might use such an event to grab the spotlight.
"Through an amateurish bombing like this, he can feel like he's part of the movement," Fox said. "He can elevate his sense of importance."
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And building one is almost as simple. "If you don't know how to do it, there are any number of books available ... that will teach you explicitly, step-by-step, how to manufacture the device," Vitch said.
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House Speaker Newt Gingrich stressed that security was already high at the Olympics, and cautioned against adopting a "police state" mentality.
"If a terrorist is nutty enough, there's always an opportunity for tragedy," he said, appearing after Nunn on CNN. "A free people can't back down."