shockedcanadian
Diamond Member
- Aug 6, 2012
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If you don't know this guys story, I tripped upon it many years ago when watching and reading my usual stories of spies and counter-terrorism etc. He in essence, was one of the lone voices screaming to his agent superiors to keep an eye on the dangers coming from the Middle East. It really ruined his career though he had a few guys who weren't threatened by his boldness and respected him for his knowledge. Too few as it were.
Apparently, he predicted "something serious within two weeks time" and he was accurate.
In a horrible twist of fate, he actually perished during the attacks of 9/11. The irony can't be lost. He was running security in one of the towers I believe. If only he had been more diplomatic while in the FBI he might have saved thousands. I can understand why he wasn't popular with so many, I probably wouldn't like him either, but one still has to respect knowledge. It takes courage to stand alone.
From what I read he was at times a bit rough around the edges which rubbed some people the wrong way. In short, he wasn't a political yes man, he was an intelligence guy with an immense work-like attitude which allowed others to shuffle him away from them. He also, if I recall, left or lost a briefcase of some materials which could have cost him his career and even had him up on serious charges.
Nobody is perfect. He was way ahead of the curve on his understanding. I relate to him in only one way, he loved detective stories as a kid.
There are real threats facing the West and too many in America don't see it. Just look at Europe, they have been blunted, unable to even generate effective militaries (but hey, climate change!)
inews.co.uk
Who was John P. O’Neill?
At the heart of the story – and of the real-life events that took place – is a man called John P O’Neill, played by Jeff Daniels in the series.
O’Neill was an FBI agent who specialised in counter-terrorism. He also worked as a special agent and eventually a Special Agent in Charge at the FBI.
Born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, he immersed himself in detective TV as a child, and his favourite was The F.B.I., a crime drama based around true cases that the bureau had handled.
He went on to attend the American University in Washington DC, and while living in the city, he started working at the FBI headquarters. He later got a masters in forensics from the George Washington University and in 1976, he was hired by the FBI as an agent.
An Al-Qaeda expert
While in the bureau, he learnt about Al-Qaeda, and of a man called Osama Bin Laden – and was one of the first Americans to examine the group to understand the threat they may pose to the US.
It was through his investigating into the 1996 bombing of the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia, that he became able to warn the FBI and other government organisations about the growing threat of terrorism.
In 1998, O’Neill created a specific task force focused on Al Qaeda, and what followed later that year seemed to echo his prophecies, when the Nairobi and Dar es Salaam US embassies were bombed simultaneously, and O’Neill created the blueprint for how international terrorism investigations were tackled across the world.
The real FBI agent led the world in tackling terror investigations
In 2000, he and his team successfully thwarted what were dubbed The Millennium Attacks – Al-Qaeda plans to bomb busy tourist sites in Jordan, Los Angeles airport and other atrocities.
However, he was also apparently regarded as a bit of a loose cannon within the bureau – he misplaced a briefcase with classified information within it, as well as losing a mobile phone and a PalmPilot that had sensitive information on it. His personal life also raised eyebrows, as at one point he was in a relationship with three different women, who he allowed to stay in an FBI safe house – he was later reprimanded and had his salary docked for this misdemeanour.
Apparently, he predicted "something serious within two weeks time" and he was accurate.
In a horrible twist of fate, he actually perished during the attacks of 9/11. The irony can't be lost. He was running security in one of the towers I believe. If only he had been more diplomatic while in the FBI he might have saved thousands. I can understand why he wasn't popular with so many, I probably wouldn't like him either, but one still has to respect knowledge. It takes courage to stand alone.
From what I read he was at times a bit rough around the edges which rubbed some people the wrong way. In short, he wasn't a political yes man, he was an intelligence guy with an immense work-like attitude which allowed others to shuffle him away from them. He also, if I recall, left or lost a briefcase of some materials which could have cost him his career and even had him up on serious charges.
Nobody is perfect. He was way ahead of the curve on his understanding. I relate to him in only one way, he loved detective stories as a kid.
There are real threats facing the West and too many in America don't see it. Just look at Europe, they have been blunted, unable to even generate effective militaries (but hey, climate change!)
John P. O'Neill: the true story of the FBI agent in A Looming Tower
O'Neill died in the 2001 tragedy - despite being a counter-terrorism expert who first warned the US about the threat of Al-Qaeda
inews.co.uk
Who was John P. O’Neill?
At the heart of the story – and of the real-life events that took place – is a man called John P O’Neill, played by Jeff Daniels in the series.
O’Neill was an FBI agent who specialised in counter-terrorism. He also worked as a special agent and eventually a Special Agent in Charge at the FBI.
Born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, he immersed himself in detective TV as a child, and his favourite was The F.B.I., a crime drama based around true cases that the bureau had handled.
He went on to attend the American University in Washington DC, and while living in the city, he started working at the FBI headquarters. He later got a masters in forensics from the George Washington University and in 1976, he was hired by the FBI as an agent.
An Al-Qaeda expert
While in the bureau, he learnt about Al-Qaeda, and of a man called Osama Bin Laden – and was one of the first Americans to examine the group to understand the threat they may pose to the US.
It was through his investigating into the 1996 bombing of the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia, that he became able to warn the FBI and other government organisations about the growing threat of terrorism.
In 1998, O’Neill created a specific task force focused on Al Qaeda, and what followed later that year seemed to echo his prophecies, when the Nairobi and Dar es Salaam US embassies were bombed simultaneously, and O’Neill created the blueprint for how international terrorism investigations were tackled across the world.
The real FBI agent led the world in tackling terror investigations
In 2000, he and his team successfully thwarted what were dubbed The Millennium Attacks – Al-Qaeda plans to bomb busy tourist sites in Jordan, Los Angeles airport and other atrocities.
However, he was also apparently regarded as a bit of a loose cannon within the bureau – he misplaced a briefcase with classified information within it, as well as losing a mobile phone and a PalmPilot that had sensitive information on it. His personal life also raised eyebrows, as at one point he was in a relationship with three different women, who he allowed to stay in an FBI safe house – he was later reprimanded and had his salary docked for this misdemeanour.
