Come on. I see your point, but I don't think it's a good one. The government now has come up with some automatic system they can fall back on should something happen. Truth be told, they don't know when the hit will occur or else they would stop it. Having a terror alert system is nothing more than a permanent poster they put on the wall so in the future they can say, "Hey, we posted that you should be on the lookout." No matter what level, it still grants them the opportunity to say, "We had a warning out." It's stupid that we paid Tom Ridge all that money and then he comes out with a color wheel saying this indicates how scared the government is at failing to recognize terrorist attacks. Did I, or anyone I know, do anything differently today over yesterday now that we are orange (or whatever color it is)? No. Nobody cares about the color chart other than the government or the media. The media is dying to get anything with the word terrorist on the air, so of course they are going to report it. It does nothing for our country, that I can see, other than warn that the government is scared of possible attacks. I guess the color wheel is so that you can be assured of how scared the government is.
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**Terror Alert** Threat level raised
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Come on. I see your point, but I don't think it's a good one. The government now has come up with some automatic system they can fall back on should something happen. Truth be told, they don't know when the hit will occur or else they would stop it. Having a terror alert system is nothing more than a permanent poster they put on the wall so in the future they can say, "Hey, we posted that you should be on the lookout." No matter what level, it still grants them the opportunity to say, "We had a warning out." It's stupid that we paid Tom Ridge all that money and then he comes out with a color wheel saying this indicates how scared the government is at failing to recognize terrorist attacks. Did I, or anyone I know, do anything differently today over yesterday now that we are orange (or whatever color it is)? No. Nobody cares about the color chart other than the government or the media. The media is dying to get anything with the word terrorist on the air, so of course they are going to report it. It does nothing for our country, that I can see, other than warn that the government is scared of possible attacks. I guess the color wheel is so that you can be assured of how scared the government is.
I do understand your dismay, but how much of your life have you lived under a warning system like this. Yes, I completely agree with you that the colors are for the media. But the warning is not.
I'm sure that a LOT more happens than just a color on all of the news networks changes. What about government agencies? How does their role change. I know for a fact that when the "Force Protection" rating here changes, a LOT goes on behind the scenes. I'm sure that the same is happening there.
Nobody had a problem with "doing their part" after ther tradgedy of 9/11. Why does everyone seem to have a problem with being aware and possible preventing another one?
I'm not saying to be paranoid... I'm just saying... don't criticize the system. Do your part and be aware.
That is all I'm saying...
I'm not a big fan of the colors anyway... but that is what people understand... Take look at your local schools... they are replacing outlining with color coding. The human brain is able to process it faster...
Personally... I prefer the military system of threat warning... Alpha, Bravo etc.
fluxquantum
Platinum Member
*yawn*
We should get right on that.
But seriously... it is like any warning system out there... There really isn't much room for improving the the way it is displayed, just what goes on to collect the data that determines what the level will be. I think that we are already doing that with the Department of Homeland Security.
nitsuj3580
Platinum Member
nice posts TSDible. You are right on the money.
For what the color system is worth, it doesnt mean to carry a gun with you or anything like that. Just be aware of what is going on around you.
Me working in Washington DC happen to appreciate these kind of alerts.
As for most people with a brain will realize that's what they are...alerts! They are not statements to create chaos or paranoia. They are just to notify people that during your everyday life, if you see something that doesn't seem right, let someone know.
I would think after 9/11, people would stop getting these retarded thoughts that the gov't is just trying to cover their a$$ with a color wheel so they can say later I told you so. If these threats are something serious enough that the public has to be notified, then everyone has to at least step and keep a look out of their surroundings as they live their life.
So go about living your life the way you want to but just be aware of what is happening around you.
For what the color system is worth, it doesnt mean to carry a gun with you or anything like that. Just be aware of what is going on around you.
Me working in Washington DC happen to appreciate these kind of alerts.
As for most people with a brain will realize that's what they are...alerts! They are not statements to create chaos or paranoia. They are just to notify people that during your everyday life, if you see something that doesn't seem right, let someone know.
I would think after 9/11, people would stop getting these retarded thoughts that the gov't is just trying to cover their a$$ with a color wheel so they can say later I told you so. If these threats are something serious enough that the public has to be notified, then everyone has to at least step and keep a look out of their surroundings as they live their life.
So go about living your life the way you want to but just be aware of what is happening around you.
Deal with threats appropriately and not needlessly breed fear and paranoia among the public?
They're threats are so vague; something might happen over the next 4-7 days. OK? What the hell am I as a citizen supposed to do about that.
Since 9-11 we're all probably more aware, but the public threat system and making such a big deal out of it is unneeded. If Bush wants us to go on with things as normal (as he said after 9-11) don't spoon-feed us fear. If you've got some actual thoughts on what we should be aware of tell us, but don't just say well we think something might happen somewhere.
1. I agree. I don't think the warning system is designed to breed fear and paranoia. And needless is a bad word... fear and paranoia is what mother nature instills in a creature to keep it alive.
2. Over the next few days... try to be more aware... (don't read paranoid, just aware) You know the people you work with, in your neighborhood etc.
3. I disagree with you on your last point. I think that americans as a whole have already started to slip back in to the role as a complacent people.
Well, to play devil's advocate...Bush did tell everyone to go back to the way things were unless the terrorists win..
But, in some regards yes, i'm sure some people have gone back to thinking we are inpenetratable..but i'd have to say the majority is still pretty concerned/worried about what will happen next.
I just think this threat system feeds fear of anything and everything because its so non-targeted...just very vague information..it seems the Government MUST have greater intelligence then this, perhaps a localized region...but we don't get that..we just get hey something might happen in 4 days.
Seems unnecessary. Telling us to be aware is fine, but having a 5-level aware-ness scale is not needed.
nitsuj3580
Platinum Member
If anything, I think these alerts at least put the thought in people's minds. You can only hope people recognize them as alerts and not get all frantic.
I'm sure most people in this country are busy with their daily lives with work, personal stuff, the daily grind, etc. and really don't think about anything else that they don't think involves them.
Whether people like it or not, terrorism involves everybody so accept it, but don't get freaked out. Do I think I'll see some guy walking down the street that looks like one of these al Queda guys on CNN? probably not. but it doesn't hurt for me to take some time out of my daily life just to be aware of my surroundings. That's all we can do and that's what these alerts are for.
I'm sure most people in this country are busy with their daily lives with work, personal stuff, the daily grind, etc. and really don't think about anything else that they don't think involves them.
Whether people like it or not, terrorism involves everybody so accept it, but don't get freaked out. Do I think I'll see some guy walking down the street that looks like one of these al Queda guys on CNN? probably not. but it doesn't hurt for me to take some time out of my daily life just to be aware of my surroundings. That's all we can do and that's what these alerts are for.
Well, the Gov is pushing them as more then that..unless we wouldn't have raised our threat level to the 2nd most highest...if we were just to be aware we'd stay at the same level...
I have to wonder after the administration raises this meter about how many phone calls police get from ignorant people that think every non-white person is a terrorist living next door.
All good points DanJ
If there is more localized information, I would hope that that intelligence has been given to the proper athorities in that region. Perhaps that information is not public to avoid the "fear and paranoia" that you speak of.
If for instance, the news report came out something like this...
Washington DC
The terrorist threat level in the Washington DC area today was raised to orange (high) due to information that the Department of Homeland Security has collected pointing to an attack in that region in the next 4 to 7 days.
How would the public react to that? Suddenly, the mention of Orange and High become insignificant. Instead, you have mass exodus of the Washington DC area...
just a thought.
Seriously folks, I'm no more "aware" today than I was yesterday. I'm not trying to completely bash the system or start arguments here. But, I still think the color chart is stupid and does no good other than give the government something to fall back on. By what people are saying, for the next 4-7 days, I should be more aware of my surroundings. Come on...everyone is aware of their surroundings. Are you investingating things more today than yesterday? Are you walking more sly and looking for shadows a la Splinter Cell now that you are being more aware?
What should the government do? Realize that they can't stop everything and make damn sure people understand this. Tell the people, "Hey, we are doing what we can, but do your part as well." Remind folks before getting on a plane that yes, indeed, a cabin of 60 passengers could most likely take down a couple guys with box cutters. Remind folks that big ticking packages from folks you don't know may not be a pleasant surprise. Admit that you are doing all you can but there may be an attack. I guess the color system is an easy way of doing that, but it seems too passive in a way. If terrorist are going to hit, there isn't much we can do about it. We can stop what we can, but when they do hit, it's because we didn't know about it. So, it's hard to find out about things we aren't aware of. And the minute we start accusing folks that should be looked at twice, we are going to be called out for descrimination. Tell me that stopping Ray Charles and searching him at an airport is really helping the problem right now. But, please don't stop all arabs getting on planes for one more check b/c that would be descrimination and would maybe hurt 1 person's feelings somewhere.
What should the government do? Realize that they can't stop everything and make damn sure people understand this. Tell the people, "Hey, we are doing what we can, but do your part as well." Remind folks before getting on a plane that yes, indeed, a cabin of 60 passengers could most likely take down a couple guys with box cutters. Remind folks that big ticking packages from folks you don't know may not be a pleasant surprise. Admit that you are doing all you can but there may be an attack. I guess the color system is an easy way of doing that, but it seems too passive in a way. If terrorist are going to hit, there isn't much we can do about it. We can stop what we can, but when they do hit, it's because we didn't know about it. So, it's hard to find out about things we aren't aware of. And the minute we start accusing folks that should be looked at twice, we are going to be called out for descrimination. Tell me that stopping Ray Charles and searching him at an airport is really helping the problem right now. But, please don't stop all arabs getting on planes for one more check b/c that would be descrimination and would maybe hurt 1 person's feelings somewhere.
Grasshopper27
Banned
Attention: Something is going to happen tomorrow. We're not quite sure what it is, but we do know that something, somewhere, will happen tomorrow. It may or may not be important, it might or might not actually hurt anyone, but we're taking no chances.
Thus, we have raised the security level to purple.
That is all, resume your normal lives...
Hopper
Thus, we have raised the security level to purple.
That is all, resume your normal lives...
Hopper
fizmeister
Senior member
I'm as scared as when those 5 fake people entered the U.S. from Canada in the same white van 🙄.
I guess the homeland security people are getting bored.
I guess the homeland security people are getting bored.
True true. I guess it depends on how far you'd localize in that context....
But moreover, the threat system seems unnecessary. In speeches Bush or Powell or whoever could easily remind the American people to be aware (i mean 66 million people did watch the state of the union)..this system, with no other information besides what they always tell us (threats have increased recently), is useless imo, the only thing that I can see that people could take away from it is fearing what might happen next
But moreover, the threat system seems unnecessary. In speeches Bush or Powell or whoever could easily remind the American people to be aware (i mean 66 million people did watch the state of the union)..this system, with no other information besides what they always tell us (threats have increased recently), is useless imo, the only thing that I can see that people could take away from it is fearing what might happen next
blakeatwork
Diamond Member
Has anyone called Chicken Little yet to confirm???
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