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[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by Replaced_Texan
Sorry, I had a meeting.

I think they should either scrap the terror threat level system or rework it so people understand what it means.

I think everyone around here knows that the threat level in this particular city on this particular week is higher than usual, because the All Star Game. Obviously, the threat level for the whole country doesn't need to go up to handle whatever threat may be going on in Houston. Same goes for Boston in a few weeks and NYC in a month or so.

My understanding is that it's a pain in the ass for local law enforcment and other homeland security personnel every time the threat level changes. It costs a lot too. I'm sympathetic to that. I'm also sympathetic to the concept that we can't be on constant vigilance all the time, and we have to be able to move on with our lives.

At the same time, I'm not sure how to interpret Ridge's statements, and they seem contradictory. It seems, after going through his statement a few times, that he's reiterating that Al Qaeda has always intended another large strike against the US and recent chatter has indicated that they've still got the same goals in mind. He also seems to be saying that our elections are a motivating factor for Al Qaeda.

Ridge's statment isn't telling me something that I didn't already know, and it's not telling me anything that Ashcroft didn't say a month ago. Maybe he's just reiterating that I should be terrified at level yellow, but it sounded like he was telling me that I should be more terrified than I usually am at level yellow.

Maybe sort of a weekly update on the general state of the Homeland would be a good idea. It'd be good for law enforcment, and it'd be good for the public. Sort of a "we're at level yellow this week, and this is what we can tell you about why we're at level yellow...." Special announcements about vauge threats don't seem to accomplish much, and lately, I've seen a lot skepticism about these announcements (especially Ashcroft's).

I'll make sure that the duct tape and plastic sheeting are close to the attic door though, just in case.

I think they're just trying to get us immune to the threat, because clearly it will be a constant until at least our grandchildren become adults. Rent Brazil and see how a mature country reacts to a terrorist strike- I think that's where we need to go.