Vague threat against L.A.

"Good Morning America" today aired a possible al-Qaeda tape on which the terrorist doing the talking says, "Yesterday, London and Madrid. Tomorrow, Los Angeles and Melbourne, Allah willing. And this time, don't count on us demonstrating restraint and compassion." ABC News reported that he is believed to be Adam Yahiye Gadahn, an American from California with suspected al-Qaeda ties who is wanted by the FBI. The AP story adds:

In a joint statement, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and police Chief William Bratton said authorities knew of no specific, credible threat to the city and that they had discussed the tape with FBI and Department of Homeland Security officials.

"The statement was meant to instill fear, and fear is the most potent weapon the terrorists posses," the statement said, "Bombastic pronouncements are expected on the eve of terrorist incidents like September 11, but we cannot let such pronouncements alter our lifestyles."

The CIA had no immediate comment on the tape's authenticity. Brady Westwater links to the ABC report and chides the LAT website for being slow to post on it.