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]

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.

 

[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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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/...ww.borowitzreport.com/archive_rpt.asp?rec=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]

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.