U.S. raises terrorism threat level - Ridge: Possible attacks could rival 9/11

CNN.Com / U.S. ^ | Sunday, December 21, 2003 Posted: 4:10 PM EST (2110 GMT) | CNN.Com

[Bobby777]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Department of Homeland Security raised the U.S. terror threat level from elevated to high Sunday, warning of possible terrorist strikes more devastating than the attacks of September 11, 2001.

[Bobby777]

I know it's already posted ... here is just another article ... better safe than sorry ... unfortunately it's not more specific ...

[Bobby777]

FWIW ping ...

[Chad Fairbanks]

Bump

[Prime Choice]

So what can the public do about these warnings except (as we're always told) "go about our business as normal"?

I've long had the distinct impression that these warnings are only serving to engender a sense of learned helplessness.

"Hello John & Jane Public: someone is planning to visit a horrible death upon you and yours at any moment. Have a nice day. Carry on."

[Bobby777]

I don't disagree with you per se ... you can read my comments on this FR thread ...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1044443/posts

[ItsOurTimeNow]

It's a gigantic CYA program.

If they didn't have this program in effect, and God forbid something DID happen, we'd never hear the end of "WHAT DID BUSH KNOW AND WHEN DID HE KNOW IT!??!" This way, the Gov't is safeguarded against a lawsuit-happy country.

I pay no attention to these alerts, nor do they change my daily routine.

[vladog]

They continue to 'Cry Wolf' and nothing happens. People are going quit paying any attention to these 'Terror Alerts'. Of course some people like me never did pay any attention.

[Young Rhino]

I'm sooo glad that Tom Ridge, a loser who couldn't even deliver Pennsylvania for Bush in 2000, is justifying his paycheck by making this c.y.a. call. What an @ss.

[concerned about politics]

My guess is they're trying to ruin the celebration of Christs birth. They're anti-Christ.

Al-Sudais is the head Islamic cleric of Saudi Arabia. He has called upon Muslims to 'kill Jews and American worshippers of the cross.'

[Bobby777]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005TPOO/qid%3D1072042002/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/103-4483986-2286210

[jocon307]

"It's a gigantic CYA program."

Yeppers.

[cake_crumb]

Well...if they believe there's credible a threat, don't tell us so we can be happy in our innocent ignorance, and it DOES happen, what do you think will be the result?

We can't have it both ways. First people harangue the president for "knowing" the WTC and Pentagon would be targeted on 9/11 and not telling anyone, THEN they gripe because warnings are issued when there's a threat. It's a holiday. The threat level always rises over holidays.

[Bobby777]

I agree ... but, it's out there, so what to do? ... we'll just have to relay the information ...

[ItsOurTimeNow]

we'll just have to relay the information ...

Oh, of course! People should know...that much is a given.

I just fear that too many of these warnings will end up jading the public, and eventually no one's going to pay ANY attention to it.

All wind-up, no release, you know?

Click, click...no bang.

[Lunatic Fringe]

[Qwinn]

For one, it may be that the intended target of these threat levels is not average citizens but local police and fire companies, etc. My guess is they have different routines and SOPs in place when the threat level is higher. The threat level is a good way to tell all the law enforcement agencies in one fell swoop to go to "Red Alert".

And yes, it's also so that we can avoid any more of this "what did he know and when did he know it" bull.

Qwinn

[Imperialist]

"Terrorists among us"

A must see documentary. I saw it 1996 or '97. I now own it and lend it out regularly.

[Bobby777]

correct you are ... for Christians, if you don't already know, here is the bottom line ...

Islam, by the koran and the ha'dith, denies the Deity of Jesus Christ, denies the Vicarious Sacrifice of Christ, denies the Holy Trinity of God, denies the Messiahship of Christ, denies the Resurrection of Christ, says a look-alike disciple switched with Him at the last minute, says no Jew or Christian will enter Heaven and says the Last Hour will not come upon the Earth until the Muslim fight the Jews and the Muslims kill them all ...

wow ...

[Bobby777]

good job!