"Without some definite information that the target was IN the US, HOW would it have been handled any differently? Had there been increased alerts to embassies, and to ships in foreign waters? Did anyone presently judging the administration's actions, or lack thereof EVER ask that? "

There have been plots that were detected and stopped in the past. There have been alerts to embassies and ships. There had been indications that they might hijack and blow up plans, so YES, there should have been more action on the part of the administration.