I try to keep track of the various terror trials that get local news coverage but little attention nationally. In September, the Christian Science Monitor counted up 21 terror plots uncovered in the U.S. since 9/11. Usually the dinosaur media doesn't want to worry the public with such disquieting facts—that attempted terrorism goes on rather frequently and all around the country.

Also, the word "plot" implies collusion with others, so single Islamic killers are not counted, e.g. Naveed Haq who murdered Pam Waechter and shot five other women in the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle. He phoned his mother after the shooting from jail and told her she should be proud that he was a martyr and would be going to heaven. Also, my blog post about the probable jihad killer Suleiman Talovic in Salt Lake listed other jihad criminals who apparently acted alone, Refugee Rampage in Salt Lake.

Anyway, the Sears Tower plotters were Haitians and the leader of the plot got a very lightweight sentence considering.

The leader of a group which plotted to blow up the Sears Tower in Chicago has been sentenced to 13.5 years in prison.

Narseal Batiste, 35, also planned to bomb FBI offices, along with four other men who have already been given prison sentences.

Prosecutors said the men conspired to provide material support to al-Qaeda but defence lawyers said the plot was never serious.

Prosecutors in Miami had sought the maximum 70-year sentence for Batiste. [Sears Tower bomb plot leader Narseal Batiste jailed, BBC, November 20, 2009]