dd -- isn't it "Barbra"? You can't be a total Leftoid if you get that wrong.
Hitting LA would be devastating -- esp if it took out the ports there. I'd cry less if the epicenter of a California attack was the faculty lounge at Berkeley, frankly.
Now would be a VERY opportune time for a strike, but I have my doubts if AQ has the resources to coordinate such a feat right now -- at least w/o a strong Fifth Column in the US.
JP