…And What Might Have Happened

Perhaps the episode confirms such terrorism tips are actually followed up but Mike said he thinks his experience shows something else. “It’s like all the other measures they’ve taken in the name of [GA] security,” he said. “They’re all window dressing.” He noted that if he’d actually been a terrorist, finding the FBI card under the door likely would have sent him bolting for the border, or changing his appearance, or doing something to evade the authorities … as opposed to picking up the phone and giving a special agent a call. Even if his apartment was under surveillance, Mike estimates an international terrorist worth his salt would be able to escape. “But because I’m not a terrorist, I met him for lunch,” Mike said. An FBI spokesman said investigation strategies differ in each case. “Sometimes there are reasons to be overt with the subject of an investigation in order to solicit their cooperation,” said spokesman Bill Carter. Mike said he thinks the agency knew from the outset that he wasn’t a terrorist but had to go through the motions of opening and closing the file to keep bureaucratic butts covered.