I’m so happy that the national threat level has been raised to orange because, seriously, I feel safer. At yellow I didn’t think that our local, state and federal law enforcement officials were doing enough, but now that we’re at orange I feel totally safe and secure. Like John Ashcroft and Tom Ridge themselves tucked me in tightly with a warm blanket.
OK, enough of that. I firmly believe that the national threat level serves only two purposes: to cover the government’s ass in case there is another terrorist attack, and to keep people so scared that they’ll turn a blind eye to the gradual repealing of personal freedoms that is being done in the name of ’security.’ As long as people are scared — and not “oh, the Soviets have a lot of nuclear weapons and generally don’t like us” scared, but terrified and numb and just waiting for that mushroom cloud to sprout over their home and invisible clouds of nerve gas to spread over their kids’ school — they will keep their mouths shut and nod their heads as the United States completes its transition from an enlightened republic to whatever it is becoming. They will keep their mouths shut and console themselves that while nobody may be as free as they used to be, at least they are safe.
Those that would sacrifice freedom for safety, deserve neither freedom nor safety. - Benjamin Franklin
Lest I totally lose track of what I was going to say in the first place, back to the national alert system. Does anyone honestly think that it makes a damn bit of difference? If our local and state officials were sitting with their thumbs up their asses at yellow, do you think moving to orange will change that? And don’t you think that, just maybe, we need to be operating like there is a terrorist attack imminent before such an attack is actually imminent. Why not just pretend that we’re at red all the time? Yes, I know it would astoundingly expensive, but who cares? ‘Deficit spending’ doesn’t seem to be a dirty word anymore, so let’s borrow! Anything to make us safe.
And do you think we’ll ever see the threat level go down to blue or green? Could you imagine what would happen to the president if it was reduced to blue and then something went down and a bunch of Americans were killed? It would be political suicide. Honestly, I’m surprised that it stays down at yellow, but yellow is a good color I suppose.
I know that I’m being horribly casual and flippant about what is a very serious issue, but I’m just fed up with being told that I should be scared of the terrorist bogeymen that lurk around every corner. Yes, they’re out there, and yes they want to do harm to the United States and her citizens. Of course it’s scary — it’s an unpleasant feeling to know that a large number of unstable and extremely zealous people would gladly do you harm simply because of where you were born — but I’ll be damned if I’m going to let my fear turn me into a terrified, unthinking participant in the dismantling of the very civil liberties that sets the United States apart from her enemies. I’ll be damned if I’m going to let a bunch of terrorist assholes turn me into a world-fearing recluse, afraid to leave my home for fear of anthrax or Soman or hijacked airliners.
The goal of terrorism is to evoke political change through the application of violence and the fear that results. Terrorists aim to destroy our way of life, but they know they can’t do it on their own, so they try to scare us into doing it for them. You want to stick it to terrorists? Get on a goddamn plane and fly somewhere. Tell them you’re not afraid. Tell them you’re not going to be cowed by their cowardly tactics. Tell them that they picked the wrong group of people to fuck with.
Just don’t be scared. Whatever you do, don’t be scared, and don’t let anyone else tell you that you should be scared. The worst they can do is kill you, and you are going to die anyway, aren’t you?
I think this is a perfect opportunity for me to share an oldie, but goodie:
http://psifertex.com/20030212_threat_orange.html
Some may remember it was my homepage for a while.
Left by Jordan on May 20th, 2003
It’s all just a ploy by the media. Hell, a quick search of ‘orange’ on Google brings up about 9,000 articles about the change from Yellow to Orange. What else would the media talk about?
No, but seriously, it’s easy to make fun of our Terrorism Traffic-Light. All the dumb people aside, it can be of some use. It’s better as an awareness tool as opposed to a preparedness tool. Maybe Lazy Larry will actually get off his ass to read a newspaper to see why things are orange - but probably not.
Left by Adam on May 20th, 2003
I really feel like we need to do more about the epidemic of hatred in the Middle East. Hating a whole people that you rarely have interaction with is really something that has to be taught. It needs to be made clear that it is unacceptable to indoctrinate an etire people-group into a belief system that is centered on hate.
The way I see it — there are only a few options in dealing with nations that refuse to behave properly. (Note: ‘properly’ is defined by US standards and biases. All other opinions on what is proper are henceforth void and will not be discussed… end note.)
We have the economic sanction thing, which ultimately hurts everyone involved.
We have ‘diplomatic means’ which can mean anything from money under the table to do a better job at covering up the improper behavior to a simple censure.
We have the war machine, but that had tons of drawbacks that don’t need to be mentioned.
We have propaganda… we could send a pro-US message through Al-Jazeera, right? Buy ad space, throw in a few jingles. They will love us in no time. Celebrity endorsements too! I’m sure there are a few celebrities that could say something nice about the ol’ US of A.
OK, I’m at a loss for ideas now… but there are other things we can do right? Help me out people
Left by David on May 21st, 2003
In hopes that this will not be deleted, and spark conversation, and HOPEFULLY not offend anyone (see matrix PG rated comments)…
Anyhow..
If the CIA & FBI get tips that something might happen, don’t you think that they should warn Americans? You can’t always think everything is a political game for covering their ass. When they issue terrorist warnings, I think there is plenty of substance behind the warning. If not, why would they do it? Do you really think that they just sit around and say….”hmmm…it’s been awhile since we have had a terrorist threat against us, go ahead and raise the warning level”?
Didn’t we just have a terrorist bombing overseas a few weeks ago linked to Al-Qaeda? Yes. Why would you really think they are pulling this out of their ass? 9-11 can happen again. If we don’t start taking every step to protect Americans and inform them, we are fooling ourselves and setting ourselves up to get hit again. Just because the raising of the warning level will put fear into many people’s eyes, the government should do this. Things should not be sugarcoated anymore, just to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. We live in a world full of crazy people. We need to wake up and realize that.
Left by OrangeLevel on May 21st, 2003
RE: Why would they issue a threat warning if there wasn’t a good reason… well, seeing as that was pretty much the point of paragraphs two and six, so I guess I’ve already answered that.
I don’t think that they are pulling the threat out of their asses. In fact, I made that pretty clear in paragraph six, as well. Maybe reading the entire post, and then thinking about it, first would help. Of course the threat is real. What is bogus is the threat warning system. It does nothing at all to help people prepare for terrorist attacks. What is there to prepare for? It either happens or it doesn’t. For the every day man, not related to law enforcement, there is nothing that you can do other than lead your life.
Besides, don’t you think it is self-defeating to tell terrorists that we’re looking for them? What terrorist is going to attack when we’re ready for them? Please. There aren’t any legitimate reasons to have a “threat level” except to keep people scared, period. If law enforcement needs a pretty color-coded system to figure out if it needs to keep the nation secure, then I think we’re pretty fucked.
Left by John on May 21st, 2003
What the threat warning level does, is directly correspond to the National Department of Homeland Security & http://www.ready.gov. It sets up helpful information on how to prepare in case of an attack. Basically, it teaches familys ways to prepare and supplies to have available if the worst happens. In times of terrorist threats, these warning can help a family or individual personally prepare for the worst.
Again, the government and our National Department of Homeland Security is setup to prepare the American public in anyway. Just because you find the pretty color-coded system pointless, doesn’t mean that everyone does. My sister was in the world trade center hours before it fell and I personally, am happy that they set up these warnings/alerts. It informs me, & the general public if there is any information of possible terrorist strikes, and how powerful the information is.
Left by OrangeLevel on May 21st, 2003
Listen, Ryan, you’re right. Just because I don’t think it is, other people do. But guess what man? I wrote the peice, and it’s my opinion. It was never marketed as anyone else’s opinion. It certainly isn’t the majority opinion. I’d like to think that you post to spark discussion, but it ends up feeling like I’m arguing with Rush Limbaugh. If you feel safer now than you did on September 12th, then that’s good for you. If you feel safer now that we’re at Orange and not Yellow, then that’s good for you.
But I don’t, and no number of assurances from or anyone else is going to make me feel safer. But you know what, I don’t feel unsafe either. I have a pretty firm grasp of the risks involved with living, and I’m OK with them.
If you have something to say that isn’t carbon-copied from a White House press release, then feel free, but otherwise please take your punditry elsewhere.
Left by John on May 21st, 2003
Nothing I posted was carbon copied from any website. I didn’t cut & paste anything I posted. The things I talked about were my opinions based on information from these organizations (mentioned above).
I don’t feel safe in the world today. As long as Al-Qaeda and countless other anti-american groups exist, I probably won’t feel safe. The world changed after 9-11. Things are put into a different perspective, and things probably won’t be the same for many years to come. There were two bombings recently that were linked to Al-Qaeda, and I do believe that advanced warnings is only a small step in helping prepare the American people for the worst on our own turf. I haven’t seen anyone running crazy in the streets because we are on Orange level. It just is a helpful information tool, not anything that is made to freak everyone out.
The Rush Limbaugh comment was nice. If thats what I am being compared to, I feel honored.
I’m sorry if you do not agree with my opinion. As you can tell, I am a Republican who likes Bush (of course). My comments will reflect that. Although, I have not made any comments about this subject that are aimed to piss anyone off. So…easy tiger.
Left by OrangeLevel on May 21st, 2003
OrangeLevel…The world didn’t change as much as you would like to say/think/imagine after 9-11. The world wasn’t “safe” before 9-11. You just didn’t notice…probably cause nothing ever hit home like 9-11 (no pun intended). Terrorirsts, terrorist attacks, and American casualties from terrorists all existed prior to 9-11. Also Americans are not/have not been the only targets of terrorists. As for color-coded threat levels…they’re a joke. Let’s say the color goes RED and it’s a bomb in NYC….what are they going to do, announce it and cause mass hysteria..maybe shut down the city….NOT. You go and live your life in fear (which is the terrorist goal) as the rest of us just live our lives.
Left by Lin on May 21st, 2003
Seriously the quote of the month: “I have a pretty firm grasp of the risks involved with living, and I’m OK with them.” I wish I had said it.
Left by Adam on May 21st, 2003
Of course raising the threat level from yellow-orange doesn’t make a difference in the lives of most people - but it’s not supposed to. I’m certainly not going to be any more or less aware of “suspicious activity” than I was on Monday. Instead, it’s a means for the government to easily alert _local law enforcement agencies_ of intelligence indicating a possible threat. The local agencies are advised to respond with longer shifts for police officers and emergency personnel, increased security at air/seaports and at monuments/likely symbolic targets, and a variety of other measures.
This seems like a sensible idea to me, and not just for political reasons. When the federal government receives credible information about a possible attack it only makes sense to pass this information along to those in the best position to (at best) prevent it or (at worst) respond to it. While the “color” system does seem a bit hokey to me, it does provide a clear way for the government to make a variety of recommendations to state and local officials with the simple changing of a color.
So why don’t we stay on “red” all the time, if it would help to prevent attacks? Two reasons: One, though an attack could certainly happen at any time we are not generally in danger of an imminent attack that our intelligence agencies missed. Maintaining a constant heightened state of readiness would simply fatigue those who might be needed to respond to an actual attack for no reason. Two, we’d have no place to go when we _do_ have information about an imminent attack. We’d have to resort to “Ultra-High-Mega-Red” or something equally silly. (The same type of ridiculous notion as UF’s “Second Final Deadlines” for degree applications. If there’s a second one then the First Deadline wasn’t really Final!)
Sure, something might slip through and an attack might occur under “yellow”. But doesn’t it make sense to increase the readiness of local police, fire, and hospital personnel when intelligence indicates an actual strike is likely?
Left by Dan on May 21st, 2003
The threat level system thing is laughable. It leaves me wondering why they picked five colors. I mean… there really only seem to be two or at most three levels of warning. They didn’t raise the level two red a week ago before some fools double-bomded Morocco Friday. Most people can sympathize with my assertion that they probably won’t ever raise it to red. Also, it seems very plausable to assert that they will not lower it to green, because the moment that they do, someone somewhere will cause some trouble. I guess what they really wanted was an on/off switch that had a nice, colorful buffer.
If I were to use the rainbow system for my personal risk it would always be at green or blue. I mean… I live in Gainesville. I generally don’t have the pleasure of being in large or important buildings, and I never frequent night clubs. I use RTS, but the only buses that seem to blow up spontaneously are Isreali.
I think that one way that I don’t hear being consider all that much is immediate and comparable retaliation. If there is a suicide bombing, maybe the family should be charged with a crime for taking the “insurance” money that they customarily get. Another trick might be to bomb the home or temple of the bomber the next morning. Surely, if this were general policy no one would be in the buildings anyway.
Another really important step that I have yet to see taken is to have an American representative that sends tapes to Al-Jazeera for broadcast. Al-Queda sends at least three to five tapes a year declaring and redeclaring their hatred for the US. Maybe we should have our message broadcast too.
Finally, I really thought that Saddam’s ploy to have a debate with Bush back in March was a good idea. The generally accepted reasoning behind terrorism is to get the attention of the survivors and to effect politcal issues. Well, let’s have some sort of nightly debate with Al-Queada, Hamas, etc and hear what it is that they actually want. Who knows? Maybe they can be reasonable… or if not, then at least we can all know that they just want to kill anyone who is not Arab. Right now I am still not sure.
Left by David on May 21st, 2003
It’s back down to yellow now.
Left by David M on May 31st, 2003
IF the alert system is designed to make law enforcement more “AWARE” I think it invites them to be more violent, unspecific, use less descretion etc. Based on Fox news saying –be scared we’re at level orange– This system is bogus, it belongs on a carnival game not on national security. Its called conditioning, once scared is normal - we can move on to really scared and start shooting our family and neighbors for terrorist acts. I have family members from Iran, Pakistan, India and friends from Iraq (pre-gulfwar). I tell you these people are more decent than most honkey whiteys like me (German - Irish Roman Catholic Mutt American) Be careful….If you do nothing you may just have joined em. And as someone somewhere either on the net or off said in order to to fix it - its too late to join em, and its too early to shoot em. Stand back and take a look, cause I think this ones gonna be big. (If Jeff Gannon would tell us what his boyfriends have on thier minds we would know.) Thats my two cents and by the time you read this it will be worth one cent.
(other things to watch for - the alert level above red is indicated by the power grid going down in the winter) I think an 80% population reduction is what they are looking for. Alot can be seen at http://www.rense.com or http://www.infowars.com or my favorite http://www.gunsanddope.com
Things to search engine:
Franklin Cover-Up
The Northwoods Documents
PNAC - Policy for a New American Century
Operation Monarch
wake up is right - just check who made the coffee
Left by The Mike on April 29th, 2005