new "orange alert"

[jj]

So, what do you think?

Why won't the government explain "why" in substantive terms?

[ssibal]

I think this color code system is completly useless. Especially after so many false alarms.

[Gem]

New "chocolate alert" flavor, if you ask me. But I prefer orange flavor, thank you very much.

Gem

[Mr Manifesto]

If I were a terrorist, I'd attack during an 'orange alert'. For that essential element of surprise.

[Otther]

Hey!

To be fair we should refrain from mocking the system because nothing has ever happened during it. It's impossible to know if it has helped a bit.

We should stick to the real points... how george bush feels more threatened by the color red than the color blue.

[Frank Newgent]

My neighbor works for Homeland Security. He didn't know the alert status had been raised.

[jj]

You know, I didn't expect anything near this level of cynicism.

Colour me astonished.

[Zero]

Originally posted by Otther
Hey!

To be fair we should refrain from mocking the system because nothing has ever happened during it. It's impossible to know if it has helped a bit.

We should stick to the real points... how george bush feels more threatened by the color red than the color blue. Why shouldn't we mock it? Even Ridge gave a little self-deprecating snicker when he brought up the color coding in his speech.:D

[Otther]

Er... I guess I was unclear... mocking it for what it is is fine... but it makes no sense to mock it's practicality based on a lack of actual terrorist strikes...

[Mr Manifesto]

Originally posted by jj
You know, I didn't expect anything near this level of cynicism.

Colour me astonished.

Orange you glad there haven't been any other terrorist strikes, though?

[Yahweh]

Is the Evil Government really obligated to explain itself for a matter such as elevating this Terror Alert...

I havent decided, but I'm leaning towards "No"...

[Mr Manifesto]

Originally posted by Yahweh
Is the Evil Government really obligated to explain itself for a matter such as elevating this Terror Alert...

I havent decided, but I'm leaning towards "No"...

You don't like to see how your taxes are being spent?

[Troll]

Originally posted by Frank Newgent
My neighbor works for Homeland Security. He didn't know the alert status had been raised.

Is that a reflection of the system or your neighbors knowledge of what's going on around him? My uncle's cousin's sister wasn't aware either, but she doesn't watch the news.

[richardm]

Originally posted by Otther
it makes no sense to mock it's practicality based on a lack of actual terrorist strikes...

One thing that puzzles me about these alert states you have over there: What is their practical use supposed to be?

Other than to try to keep the population in an advanced state of paranoia, that is, which seems to be what actually happens right up to the point where people get fed up of nothing happening and start ignoring it.

[Jon_in_london]

What are the other states of alert? Banana, balckcurrant and stawberry?

[richardm]

Originally posted by Jon_in_london
What are the other states of alert? Banana, balckcurrant and stawberry?

It's only when it goes "Tutti Frutti" that you really need to batten down the hatches.

[MoeFaux]

I'll hit the nail on the head with the hammer:

It's because it's xmas week, that's why. Bush wants us to remember the "terrorists" and live in fear. It has nothing to do with anything other than him trying to manipulate the public and get more votes. It's only because it's xmas.

[Some Friggin Guy]

Originally posted by Yahweh
Is the Evil Government really obligated to explain itself for a matter such as elevating this Terror Alert...

I havent decided, but I'm leaning towards "No"...

Actually, Yahweh, they should be.

There are two possibilities of what could happen with this if they don't tell us. (and this is not meant in any way as a slam against the Bush administration. My feelings for them tend not to see too much expression on this board.)

1. They don't tell us, and those in America who are prone to panic, will start jumping at every shadow. Not necessarily a dangerous thing, but not too good for mental well-being of that segment of the population.

2. They don't tell us and the cynical segment of the population (In my opinion, probably the majority, though I have no statistics to back this up.) ignores it as a needless alert. Maybe it is, in which case, that's not a problem. If, however, it pans out to be an actual threat, the cyics aren't paying much attnetion and will not see the warning signs. That would make the threat that much more likely to be carried out.

[Frank Newgent]

http://politicalhumor.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.borowitzreport.com/archive%5Frpt.asp%3Frec=685

Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge admitted today that he is “completely color-blind,” but assured the American people that his condition in no way impairs his ability to fulfill his duties as steward of the nation’s security.

“Color-blind or not, here at the Department of Homeland Security, it is business as usual,” Mr. Ridge said. “The threat level remains at gray.”

For Secretary Ridge, the admission that he is color-blind brought with it a tremendous sense of relief, he said.

“In the past, every time I picked up a pointer to indicate the latest threat level on that darned chart, I was always scared to death I would mess up somehow,” Mr. Ridge said. “I can’t tell you how good it feels to let each and every one of you know that I can’t tell one threat level from another.”

[PygmyPlaidGiraffe]

Originally posted by ssibal
I think this color code system is completly useless. Especially after so many false alarms.

color code? oops, I thought it was referring to fresh produce,



in October/November it was Green Onion alert,

now orange alert

I was half expecting an avacado (quacamole mmmmwahhhhh), or a strawberry alert.

[PygmyPlaidGiraffe]

Originally posted by Otther
Hey!

To be fair we should refrain from mocking the system because nothing has ever happened during it. It's impossible to know if it has helped a bit.

We should stick to the real points... how george bush feels more threatened by the color red than the color blue.

George Bush fears flagrant colours,

and the Christian right fears them more as flagrant colours have a militant agenda directed at the whole colour wheel.

[Zero]

The problem, the REAL problem, is that these alerts don't make us any safer. All they do is cover the government's ass in case something happens.

[Luke T.]

Jeer all you like, but I remember there was a terrorist alert put out by the government the week before 9/11.

Since we have captured Saddam, it is not surprising some elements may be planning revenge.

These alerts mostly affect military bases and other government installations and their operating procedures. So it will be mostly unseen by the general population. You guys are on your own.

These alerts are based on intercepted transmissions and interrogations of prisoners.

[hammegk]

Whining & nitpicking sure are fun.

Some things -- as I (rather poorly) understand the alert system -- do change regarding interstate commerce & customs checkpoints, number of law enforcers & "key personnel" on duty, who knows what else.

If the alert status was not annouced publicly, word would quickly leak anyway that law enforemnet had been alerted to a change, and the rumor mills/paranoia would spread even more crap.

One of them 'lesser of 2 evils' pc-libs love so much, maybe?

[Andalyn]

Originally posted by MoeFaux
I'll hit the nail on the head with the hammer:

It's because it's xmas week, that's why. Bush wants us to remember the "terrorists" and live in fear. It has nothing to do with anything other than him trying to manipulate the public and get more votes. It's only because it's xmas.

There was information that Al Qaeda was "talking" extensively about an attack during Xmas.

Also - it's all Bush?

President Bush approved the heightened alert after receiving a recommendation from senior members of Ridge's department, the FBI, CIA, Pentagon, Justice Department and the White House.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2003/12/22/MNG4E3SBBJ1.DTL

Not sure if it is a "Bush" conspiracy...

http://www.itv.com/news/826870.html

http://www.cnn.com/2002/US/12/05/terror.threats/

http://iafrica.com/news/worldnews/289445.htm

http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2003/s1014502.htm

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/World/story_34671.asp

Personally, I think that people believe in strange things like "Bush scaring people for Xmas" much for the same reason they believe in devils and angels, ghosts, gods, demons etc...

[BTox]

Originally posted by Mr Manifesto


You don't like to see how your taxes are being spent?

In matters of national security? Of course not. What a silly question.

[Crossbow]

Well, they may have changed the color, but at least they did not tell everyone to go out and buy plastic sheeting and duct tape.

:p

[BTox]

Originally posted by Zero
The problem, the REAL problem, is that these alerts don't make us any safer. All they do is cover the government's ass in case something happens.

Sure... yet another lie.

increased airport security (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20031222/ap_on_go_co/terror_threat_response_1)

[sorgoth]

I think that the government simply does not trust the public.
Any information given to the public will be given to the terrorist groups (Which may be part of the public).

[Zero]

Originally posted by BTox


Sure... yet another lie.

increased airport security (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20031222/ap_on_go_co/terror_threat_response_1) I meant the public announcements...airport security is another issue entirely, although I question its effectiveness when cargo containers coming into the country is barely inspected.

[Chad Noles]

Or could it be that,in the event of a actual attack,the gubmint has their arse covered?See,we warned you.We're on top of the situation,even though we didn't prevent it.Yeh,that's the ticket.

[Ian Perez]

Originally posted by Luke T.

Since we have captured Saddam, it is not surprising some elements may be planning revenge.


Not surprising, sure. But remember, The Great Plane Highjacking was the result of years of planning. Any revenge plan would need years of planning, if it wants to succeed and be on the scale of the 9/11 attacks.

You know what pisses me off the most, though? Thanks to the terror alerts, my parents won't let my girlfriend come to NYC to visit me, and I can't drive to her state.

[DrChinese]

Originally posted by Otther
Hey!

To be fair we should refrain from mocking the system because nothing has ever happened during it. It's impossible to know if it has helped a bit.

We should stick to the real points... how george bush feels more threatened by the color red than the color blue.

To be fair...some people feel threatened during a full moon too.

This is one of the biggest swindles ever on the American public. No objective purpose, just a way to remind us of perceived threats a la Saddam's fictional WMDs. Remember those babies were an IMMEDIATE THREAT this time last year. Turns out, Santa is more real than the WMDs were.

...Can't let the American public let its guard down. Must create paranoia and distrust whenever possible... That's the only way Cowboy George can protect us... Goodnight, my little sheep... sweet dreams while GW works his magic.

[BTox]

Originally posted by DrChinese
...Can't let the American public let its guard down. Must create paranoia and distrust whenever possible... That's the only way Cowboy George can protect us... Goodnight, my little sheep... sweet dreams while GW works his magic.

Tell us another fairy tale, kid...

[Troll]

Originally posted by DrChinese


To be fair...some people feel threatened during a full moon too.

This is one of the biggest swindles ever on the American public. No objective purpose, just a way to remind us of perceived threats a la Saddam's fictional WMDs. Remember those babies were an IMMEDIATE THREAT this time last year. Turns out, Santa is more real than the WMDs were.

...Can't let the American public let its guard down. Must create paranoia and distrust whenever possible... That's the only way Cowboy George can protect us... Goodnight, my little sheep... sweet dreams while GW works his magic.

You'd probably do better if you didn't sound so much like a walking talking point from Carville.

The reason is not paranoia but a chance to alleviate some of the helplessness many feel. If a valid suspicion of an attack comes through, they warn people so that they can either, live their lives in a paranoid fashion as some would do, or just be aware of their surroundings like sane people would be after reading a caution sign on the highway.

Personally I think it's pointless to change the alert level from anything other than elevated to begin with. But then I don't live in lala land and keep my eyes open all the time anyhow. And not for terrorists, but for everything and anything, deer on the road, kids at the mall who's parents aren't watching the little yard ape getting ready to fall down the stairs, all things.

[KelvinG]

Originally posted by BTox


Sure... yet another lie.

increased airport security (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20031222/ap_on_go_co/terror_threat_response_1)

So, does this mean that before the orange alert, airport security was not up to the level it could have been? That's a little disconcerting, isn't it?

[Soapy Sam]

Has anyone claimed responsibility for the California Earthquake yet?

[Chupacabras]

Originally posted by Troll
The reason is not paranoia but a chance to alleviate some of the helplessness many feel.

Very well said. As odd as it may sound, it is really a human touch to a cold tactical situation. Also, I perceive it as an indirect yet well propagated message to terrorists - "We know you are up to something". They might get paranoid themselves!

What bothers me a bit (and I live outside of the USA) is that there's no further information. One day they said something like "we have spoiled so many attacks", but with nothing specific (and I can understand the reasons) the general public and institutions (airports, customs...) may start to feel tired of this, and then lower the guard.