The Department of Homeland Security is getting ready to declare August 2008 through July 2009 a "Period of Heightened Alert" — that is, a timeframe in which terrorists would have a greater incentive to attack. Concerns about high profile events like the Olympics, the Democratic and Republican national conventions, and the transition out of the Bush Administration have prompted the change, which requires Homeland Security to redouble its efforts to study terrorism leads, according to ABC News.
US officials are keeping the color level at yellow instead of orange, because they don't want to be accused of interfering with the presidential campaign, a concession which suggests awareness that raising fears of terrorism can serve political ends.
Some critics joke that the heightened alert is in response to Republican efforts to maintain hold on presidency. (Remember when John McCain's adviser said an attack would help his candidate?) What do you think? Couldn't antiterrorism workers do their jobs of protecting potential target events without blanketing the whole country with a scary term like "Heightened Alert" for an entire year; or is this just the way to keep the whole country watchful?
Balenciaga
Hogan
People Tree
It might be true, but I think deep down it's just more scare tactics. I think as this election has progressed, it only seems like McCain is being a whiny little baby.
GO OBAMA!!!
1This is a tactic to prevent the naysayers from coming back and saying "You didn't do enough." should something horrble happen. After 9/11, the public outrage over the perceived failures of the Bush administration with regards to terrorism really defined his 8 years in office. Unfortunately, the blame needed to be placed on the President who had Bin Laden in his cross-hairs, and failed to pull the trigger (Clinton).
2My boyfriend and I were waiting to see when they would raise the terror alerts for the election!
They are so predictable, it is scary.
3They only raise terror alerts during election years, it seems.
I have seen the terror alert raised many times when it was not an election year.
4Go on the White House website and search for "threat level" or "national threat level." Lots of results from 2003 come up.
5And in September 2002 it was lowered.
6Wasn't that during midterm elections?
7What Undave Said.......
8Alas, that was not a midterm year.
I still think it is hysterical that they are upping the alert. I have seriously been waiting for this inevitable occurrence for months now!
92002? It was lowered in 2002, not raised.
10i hate to be cynical, but after 8 years of this crap, what else should we be thinking? besides, i thought the terrorists loved obama? he's a muslim terroris - remember?
11They need to add some colors to that list to provide for those "in-between" terror alert times. Chartruese, anyone?
12It doesn't really matter because what incentive is there for people remaining vigiliant? You see someone acting shady and you remain vigilant, you report it, and then you get sued by that person for discrimination or whatever. Remember that story about the imams? That airline did exactly what it should have and what was the outcome? A lawsuit.
Until we make it safer for people to actually BE vigilant, theres no reason why anybody should be.
13And I don't see the problem with them coinciding with election years. I mean they HAVE a point. It IS more attractive when terrorism can impact an election. And not just terrorism here, remember that Spainish train bombing? What about the elections in Iraq in October, do you honestly think we won't see an increase in violence around then?
14It is no secret that the Bush Administration abuses power for their political gain. Department of Justice, anyone?
Cabaker, it was my understanding the threat level applied to the security of the United States, not the risk for other countries.
15There's no evidence of anyone higher than Gonzales' aides being involved in the DOJ hiring scandal.
And I think cabaker was just referring to the fact that elections are terrorist targets in many countries.
16Yes, Kim that was the allusion I was making.
I'm not saying its not completely without political gain, but its not completely without fact either.
17This is a perfect example of how, according to some, Bush and his administration can do nothing right. But I would venture to guess that if the security alert hadn't been raised and God forbid something happened to Obama then it would be Bush and his administrations fault. There is just no pleasing some people.
18And now "the terrorists" check their calendars and say "Hey, August 15 of '09, good for you? Yep, they'll be all tired out from their year of alertness and they won't be expecting it then."
Or perhaps: "Hey, you know what? January 20 *would* be a good time; I didn't think of that before. Thanks, Mr. Homeland Security! You just gave me a great idea: New Year's in Miami, then on to D.C."
In case you couldn't tell, I am so tired of terror alerts. Go on and gather your intelligence, do whatever you do, but don't expect me to wrap my house in Saran Wrap (remember that?) just because you said boo.
19yea i think thats the general attitude of the public, so really what does it matter in the end?
20terrorist have calenders? I wonder what they are? Boston Terriers? Batman? 77 virgins in 12 different outfits?
21"Couldn't antiterrorism workers do their jobs of protecting potential target events without blanketing the whole country with a scary term like "Heightened Alert" for an entire year?"
Yeah, one would think so, but apparently not.
I do see the sense in counterterrorism agencies being extra vigilant during election years and when there are major events coming up, but I don't really see what practical success has come out of the terror alert system. And the way that the administration uses scare tactics has irritated me for a long time now. It cheapens the devastation of real terrorist attacks when politicians use the threat of them so brazenly to keep themselves in power, and that's what this looks like to me.
22Jilli, I know. When I read that I burst out laughing. They may as well just call it "Distraction Alert" and save us all a lot of time.
23Ooh, I like chartreuse. How about mauve? That is soothing. Em, you should write a letter! Also, magenta for when things get lively. Oh, the possibilities!
24"This is a tactic to prevent the naysayers from coming back and saying "You didn't do enough." should something horrble happen. After 9/11, the public outrage over the perceived failures of the Bush administration with regards to terrorism really defined his 8 years in office. Unfortunately, the blame needed to be placed on the President who had Bin Laden in his cross-hairs, and failed to pull the trigger (Clinton)."
Exactly Dave!
25Cerulean was always my fave crayon color!
26Ohh, yeah, that one is nice. And, I had a lipstick once who's color was called, and I'm not making this up, "In the Nude Chair." How about using that.
Today the terror alert was raised to Level In the Nude Chair.
27I just don't get the effect when they raise it for an entire year with a terror watch list of a million - it has become meaningless in terms of actual safety..............which is why I think is is a political tool - because "heightened alert" and "terror watch list grows" scare people even if they are relatively useless in saving lives.
28Right on, zeze
29This is clearly a double edged sword. It is logical that because of the summer months when travel is high and major cities are packed with tourists and major events such as the Olympics etc. will be taking place it is a prime time target for maximum damage.
It is also a vehicle for what I call involuntary propaganda. Here you have a situation where Homeland Security is doing its job and in the wake of warnings and generated fear you have a psychological peripheral benefit that (for now) seems to benefit a republican candidate over a democratic candidate leading the constituency to move where it is (seemingly) safer.
30Try as I might, my cynical side always pokes through
31I wish we could change the terrorist level from colors to phrases, like:
32slight threat = mildly annoying
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Greatest threat = Kiss your a$$ good-bye
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