Take a deep breath, say homeland officials

US News and World Report ^ | February 14, 2003 | Paul Bedard

[ewing]

Indications from government sources are that the already heightened Code Orange security alert Washington D.C. is operating under may be increased to 'Code Red' in the next 24 hours because of a heightened concern about a possible terror attack.

Whispers learns that lawmakers are being encouraged to send their families back to their home states.

Other government sources are freely talking about the increased security alert possbily coming as soon as Friday.

Also, Equipment that can detect chemical and biological weapons has been deployed in Washington.

And some government workers have been warned that if terrorism strikes, agencies might not be able to provide enough food water or clothing.

[Samwise]

I'm sorry. I'm getting my threads mixed up. Garrison didn't say anything about evacutaing families--at least that I heard. His sources were telling him that the Feds were considering going to Red Alert because the intell was so intense, credible, and coming in so fast. They really couldn't process everything. Steve Buyer said that Congress was briefed on their evacuation procedures. This is what I heard yesterday, and this article seems to confirm what I heard. Frist is letting the Senate recess, so I guess Garrison was right.

[jriemer]

Ping

[republicandiva]

Frist was going to force the Senate to stay in session next week but changed his mind abruptly yesterday. This would account for his change of mind.

My thoughts exactly. Frist really seemed determined to hunker down, then a very sudden change of heart? Something's going on.

[WomanofStandard]

There is no way Bush would play politics with these security alerts. If he did they would never be believed again. Clinton would have done something like that, not Bush.

Clinton DID do this, not something like this. Remember "Black Hawks Down"? I read in J.C. Watts book, "What Color is a Conservative" that not long after the 9/11 attacks he was among a group of republicans invited to Camp David for a weekend with President Bush. During that stay they viewed "Black Hawk Down" in the Camp David theater with the president. The movie portrayed the war and investigators conclusion that so many American military lives were lost or greatly wounded due to POLITICAL decisions (instead of military decisions) made by the Clinton administration. (Clinton did not like the way it would "look" if the tanks necessary to protect our military where employed so he therefore, scarificed American military lives in exchange for a woosey image.

[Donna Lee Nardo]

Same thing as the hefty pension plan that the congress critters get for life, whereas we pee-ons keep begging them to shore up the social security system for us regular folks.

[rwfromkansas]

wow this is scary. If they hit us again, I am going to have to say, I will start to support a broader war against all Arab Muslims.

[PAR35]

Can you imagine a biological or chemical attack while a foot of snow is falling

Depending upon the agent used, it could make the attack very ineffective.

[Samwise]

p.s.

I wonder if getting your families out of town is part of the evacuation training the Steve Buyer said that they received.

[DoughtyOne]

They may be, but neither get high marks in my book after their excellent service in the military. Part of the problems we face today are as a direct result of their failed leadership in the last twenty years.

[SJackson]

It didn't say anything about Washington. Just an anouncement of Code Red in red type in their scrolling headlines at the bottom of the screen.

[Axenolith]

They should make the Washington press corps wear gas masks. Especially Helen Thomas.

Doesn't sitting on them damage them?

[John H K]

I will start to support a broader war against all Arab Muslims.

That's PRECISELY what Al Quaeda wants you to do.

Personally, I'm not big on having my thought process controlled by AQ, but hey, that's me.

[Diddle E. Squat]

The NYC DA's office and the terrorism task force had agreed that they will close the subways immediately in an attack, no matter if there are people inside.

THAT IS FALSE!

I saw the post you are referencing, the poster was quoting an e-mail from a "source that I trust", and even then it said they would seal in the event of a BIO attack, not chem or nuke. Very different situation, and hardly a reliable source from which to be spreading scare rumors. At the very least you should accurately label it as an unsubstantiated rumor.

[DoughtyOne]

It occurs to me that all terrorists have to do is pass a few cryptic messages and this nation goes catatonic. If we can intercept those messages, why can't we simply take out the sender and the recipient? Nah, too easy.

[marlin]

and additionally the machines registers deviation from normal.....these friggin goat shaggers lie as routinely as breathing

try questioning again with jumper cables attached to his 'nads and see if the answers change

marlin

[Sangamon Kid]

BTW, Al Qaeda: your days are numbered.

Isn't that what we said to Osama?

[Hobsonphile]

Watch your six ping!

[ewing]

Correct, the poster was referencing a NYC subway Nerve Gas or Cynaide attack.

[Gael]

Sorry about the way-off point interruption. I've seen some of your posts plus that pic of you FReeping in Delhole and have been meaning to ask -- are you in Oneonta or its environs?

[A2J]

Now an attack in RFK stadium during a Rolling Stones tour in August is different.

Will Clinton be emceeing that one, too? Hmmmmm.