[Prime Choice]

After reading the 9/11 Commission Report, anyone who didn't understand before will now understand the reason for these alerts!

I understand the reason for these alerts...I just don't see the point of them when all we're ever told is "go about your regular routine like normal."

Gee...we could do that without all the hoopla, couldn't we?

Personally, I'd like to see these alerts coupled with blanket notices that every lawful American citizen should be able to pack heat. Then at least we'd have some influence in our fate and wouldn't simply be helpless sheeple waiting for the other shoe to fall.

[Nick Danger]

I understand the reason for these alerts...

So do I. It's so after the nuke goes off, the media can't crucify everyone from the President to the Fire Chief for "ignoring the warnings."

It has no other purpose.

[fso301]

I just don't see the point of them when all we're ever told is "go about your regular routine like normal."

In reading the report, prior alerts were fairly well correlated with bad guys being nabbed somewhere and did appear to have a disruptive effect on mission plans of the mohammedans.

[TimPatriot]

So people will be more likely to notice and report suspicious vehicles, people, and behavior, which might disrupt attacks and save thousands of American lives. So to answer your question, NO WE CANT DO WITHOUT IT.

[CharlotteVRWC]

Just think,,,If Al Gore were President, we wouldn't be having any of these alerts!

[shinyboot]

Can you imagine hearing that there is an anticipated strike in your area, but all you hear from our homeland security-types is, "Go out to dinner, see the movie afterward and if you happen to see someone wearing a TNT-enhanced vest, take him out -- Oh, aim for the head!"

This whole threat level business is a joke. Hopefully, in Bush's second term, there will be a more tangible system in place.

[El Gato]

Personally, I'd like to see these alerts coupled with blanket notices that every lawful American citizen should be able to pack heat.

Techically we don't need no steeeking notice. We have the second amendment. "keep and bear arms. YMMV by state of course. Many states do not prohibit bearing long arms. What it would really take is a notice that henceforce, mere display or carrying of a long arm would no longer be considered "brandishing", which is the way many states get around the nasty little provision in the federal and often their state constitutions. Carrying a long arm in the woods would no longer be considered "hunting out of season" or "hunting without a license".