More questions than answers in terrorism plots

If the recent reports of thwarted terrorist plots are true, two questions come to mind: How is it authorities are able to intercept these things and how many plots are out there that haven’t been intercepted?

The latest case is unfurling today in Boston where a Massachusetts man has been arrested for plotting to attack shopping malls.

“Federal prosecutors say Tarek Mehanna and his conspirators tried to get automatic weapons for a mall attack, but their plans were foiled when they could not get the weapons,” the Associated Press reports. This brings up another question: If drug dealers and other low-lifes have no trouble getting automatic weapons, how is it these terrorists-in-waiting seem to have such a difficult time? This person allegedly has been planning the attacks for seven years!

Mehanna is also accused of distributing videos of dead American soldiers being abused and mutilated in Iraq. Not exactly a good way to lay low while plotting an attack.