White flags fly from Brooklyn Bridge in stunning security breach

a reply to: metodex

Exactly.

Anything and anyone can be 'got at', provided there's a will, there's a way.

In other words, it's pointless surrendering freedoms for the illusion of security...as there really isn't any security and all you're left with is the same thing and a lot less freedom to go along with it.

False flag?

Anyone

But the guy that sold it to me said it would be OK.

originally posted by: Aazadan
The real takeaway from this isn't the surrender message. It's that after a massive loss of rights and descending into a police state where everything is monitored 24/7, our infrastructure still isn't anywhere near as secure as we like to believe it is.

Really good point. I am reminded of a conversation I had with a friend 6 or 7 years ago. Since 9/11, I had been concerned about both the various terrorist groups the government and news media told us about and the growing police state that was forming to allegedly protect us from such terrorists.

I mentioned that to him, and he suddenly got really upset and said, "I go to baseball games. I go to theme parks. And I look around and I don't see a whole lot of real security that would stop anyone from doing something if they wanted to."

His sudden anger got my attention, especially coming from someone I respected as highly intelligent. I paused and asked him what his conclusion was based on that observation. "That they don't really want to kill us very badly or a lot more terrorist attacks would be happening all the time inside the USA."

That really struck me. It was (and is) a really good point. Such a massive loss of privacy and rights has been sold to the public through fear, yet for the most part the USA (and I imagine most countries) are not really very secure. It's likely not even possible to be so secure that terrorists could not attack in some way. And despite this, for the most part no one is killing us.

But you can see what will be coming next, calls for still more of a police state and greater loss of rights because someone was able to put up white flags at a site that was supposedly so secure and monitored.

Some people link these flags to communication of terror cells.

Searching Islamic flags the flag of caliphate is all white some new versions have black writing.

Muhammad used two flags depending on the type of raid or battle he was in. One was a solid white flag while the main flag he used was a solid black flag called rāyat al ‘uqāb (flag of the eagle). Neither flag had markings or symbols. The black flag derived from Muhammad’s tribe Quraysh’s flag, which was called the same thing, but actually did have an eagle on it.

The flag (liwaa') is white, on which it is written 'la ilaha illa Allah, Muhammad Rasul Allah' with black script. It is tied to the amir of the army or the leader of the army. It is used as a sign of his location, and it goes along with this location. The evidence to tying the flag to the amir of the army is that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم entered Makkah on the day of its conquest while raising a white flag. This was narrated by Ibn Majah through Jabir. An-Nasa'i also narrated through Anas that when the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم appointed Usama ibn Zayd as amir to the army for invading the Romans, he tied his flag with his own hands.


But what is the message. Or was it just mocking security?

Maybe research into the bridge history itself will give clues. The day of 9/11 news claimed bombs were found on one or both bridges but late disappeared.


a reply to: ikonoklast

a reply to: Grimpachi

TURK 182

I remember it. Good movie as I recall.

Here is a update
[url=http://]http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Brooklyn-Bridge-White-Flags-Investigation-Cellphone-Surveillance-Social-Media-DNA-268507692.html[/ur l]

a reply to: switchqm8

Can't fix link
Link< br />
Edit:Thanks switchqm8
I was trying to help but didn't work from my phone

originally posted by: Observationalist
a reply to: switchqm8

Can't fix link


oops let me see if can
www.nbcnewyork.com...

this 1 work

originally posted by: Shaded27
False flag?

Anyone

Heh literally

a reply to: switchqm8

From that link:

The bridge is one of the most heavily secured landmarks in the city, constantly monitored by surveillance cameras.

And yet nobody noticed or cared that the lights went out. Of course the security guards who not only missed the lights, but them scaling a locked fence, will face no discipline. And also naturally, it is likely a group of teens who did this. Yet we're supposed to believe these people are protecting us from terrorist acts and we should give up freedoms to let them do so.

This goes to prove what I've thought for a while now, if somebody wanted to bomb major areas, they would have. Places like Times Square or Vegas casinos go un-bombed every day without the type of security you see at airports or sporting events, despite holding an equal amount of targets.

Interesting story... And I think the statement should be obvious about some form of surrender being made.

As for them getting up there unnoticed? The answer is simple. Dress like you belong. It's probably old news to some graffitti artists and urban explorers. Arrive on or near the location in a hoodie and some sweats with a backpack. Under the hoodie and sweats is a jumpsuit that mimics if not the same as a typical maintenance worker for the location. In the backpack is the hardhat and harness stuff along with whatever else is needed. Throw on a toolbelt for good measure and keep a causal and relaxed attitude like you have work to do. It's likely the cops were none the wiser with those pulling off the stunt climbing up and down right in front of them.

Social engineering is also an old school hacking trick for getting physical access. It's crazy how many places one can get to with something that resembles a company uniform with clip-on badge and a clipboard with forms or a package of some sort. In theory people should know better these days, but in practice...

Theres a sub-culture of urban explorers, who call themselves "Rooftoppers", who get kicks out of climbing bridges, tower cranes, skyscrapers, etc. Mostly just to see and photograph the view from the top.

I used to be active on their private forums, and Brooklyn Bridge got climbed photographed _a_lot_. Its not very secure at all. The security there is "security theatre". Apparently it looks more secure than it actually is.

Someone said they had to be insiders, as they knew how to cover the lights, etc. Sorry but no insider knowledge would be required, just a pre-visit to check things out.

To show how rooftoppers can gain access to the most secure of sites, with relatively trivial ease. in 2010, two rooftoppers gained access to, and climbed the outside of the UK's most secure, and tallest freestanding tower. I can only link you this one, because it was moved to the public part of the forums:

Blackpool tower climbed

As to why the flags were replaced with bleached versions, I can't comment on that. I just wanted to point out that the security is mostly security theatre.