Ridge to raise Terror Alert, news conf. 1:30 pm Eastern

Fox News-TV

[putupon]

announcement, nothing furthur

[WackyKat]

Why isn't Ridge wearing his official Ernie handpuppet?

[Miss Marple]

Why don't you go watch a ball game?

[relee]

Yikes is right.

...scope and volume of the reporting and the number of credible sources...

[John W]

He is,just on an appendage thats not visible in the TV picture.

[FairOpinion]

Nation's Threat Level Rising to Orange
Nation's Threat Level Rising to Orange; Gov't Says Attacks Are Possible During Holiday Season

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON Dec. 21 — The government on Sunday raised the national threat level to orange, the second-highest, saying attacks were possible during the holiday season and that threat indicators are "perhaps greater now than at any point" since Sept. 11, 2001.
"Information indicates that extremists abroad are anticipating near-term attacks that they believe will rival or exceed the scope and impact of those we experienced in New York, at the Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania more than two years ago," Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said in a statement released before his news conference on the announcement.

The government elevated the threat level, last raised in May, from yellow to orange after U.S. intelligence agencies "received a substantial increase in the volume of threat-related intelligence reports," Ridge said.

"These credible sources suggest the possibility of attacks against the homeland around the holiday season and beyond," he said. "These strategic indicators, including al-Qaida's continued desire to carry out attacks against our homeland, are perhaps greater now than at any point since Sept 11."

http://abcnews.go.com/wire/Politics/ap20031221_797.html

[Major_Risktaker]

Tom ridge said be prepared...

[MaeWest]

Thank you!

btw, great tag line.

[John H K]

The one thing that will stop illegal immigration is enough economic development and prosperity in Mexico and South America that people aren't really motivated to leave (and economic opportunities don't have to MATCH this country, just be reasonably close; I think the average person really does like their home and culture and only leaves out of desperation.)

Of course, getting those countries to that point MIGHT involve some factories and such being built or moved to those countries and those goods being sold in the US (gasp!) and the same people that obsess about illegal immigration are the same people that think it's immoral for the US to import anything but raw materials, so you can see it's a bit of a dilemma.

[nmh]

Thanks for the link. I'll read it.

Isn't it amusing how CNN will do their best to discredit Bush with his linkage to saddam insane but through their own articles it slips out.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

...I stand behind my comments - Ridge is a loser who is leaving the borders wide open and tells us to be "Vigilent" without telling us what to be on the lookout for....

I stand by that too.

[oceanview]

He has a very tough job, answering these kinds of questions without being able to say anything specific for fear of causing panic for what might be a hoax or a ruse pumped into the intel stream to be picked up as "chatter".

[spookycc]

Sheesh, reporters ask SO many specific questions... Why don't they ask exactly where we've reinforced targets, so the terrorists will know to go elsewhere?

[At _War_With_Liberals]

The terror alert has been raised to high to cover for the supposedly inherent higher risk of Xmas and New Years Eve.


The terror alert has also been raised to high to counter Dem attacks and recent media propaganda advancing the view that the homeland is not as safe as it should be.

Ridge again speaks in generalities, saying nothing of any substance whatsoever. If I had 10 salesmen like Ridge, I would be set for life. I especially like the 'every citizen has to do their part' routine.

IMO, this is political, accomplishing 2 things. 'Cover your ass' in case something does happen, and a Bush political counter move against Dems and the media.

[mikeb704]

Michael M. Bates: My Side of the Swamp

[WackyKat]

I take this very seriously, I'm just trying to lighten the mood.

Relax, it doesn't help anything to have a nervous breakdown

[Lady Eileen]

This is a Nanny State, with its cradle to grave welfare. It needs to become masculine again and protect us by closing the borders, expelling the illegals, and arming all the pilots.

[goodnesswins]

Well....whole countries? There's also Al Quaida in the Phillipines, Venezuela, Sweden, Canada.....etc......as far as "headquarters?" I'm not sure the US gov would be telling anyone what they know.....and media is spitting in the wind guessing, if they are reporting.

[relee]

Ridge said there will be increased security at the airports. He also said this is not specifically directed at New York.

[NeoCaveman]

Isn't it amusing how CNN will do their best to discredit Bush with his linkage to saddam insane but through their own articles it slips out.

It's worse than amusing.

If you want the whole story check out the books written by Laurie Mylroie.

[At _War_With_Liberals]

"He has a very tough job, answering these kinds of questions without being able to say anything specific for fear of causing panic for what might be a hoax or a ruse pumped into the intel stream to be picked up as "chatter"."

Ridge is a politician and a pitch man. This is easy for him.