Terror alerts: Useful? ... or not?

[migirl]

What do you guys think of the terror alert system? Do you see it as a useful tool, necessary to warn people to "be vigilant"? Or do you think it causes unnecessary fear and panic, with the potential to desensitize people to future threats?

I was listening to the radio this morning and they were talking about the fact that Tom Ridge had included what seemed to a political "plug" for George Bush at the end of his announcement regarding the new information and elevation of the terror threat to "orange". He said something like <disclaimer: NOT quoting here>, "We wouldn't have this information if not for the leadership of this current administration." If he meant it the way it sounded, should the terror alert system (of all things) be politicized this way? Is it so implausible that we could (coincidentally, of course ) start seeing increased terror alerts as the election nears?

Do the terror alerts actually work? If nothing happens, can we assume that the alert was successful? Or that the information was wrong? Or that the terrorists decided that the heightened awareness of their impending attack was enough to thwart their plans? If they have such specific information, should the government quietly let the potential targets know, rather than alerting the world (including terrorists) to the threat? Isn't it possible that the terrorists are counting on everyone focusing on these specific targets to (1) study our reaction, and (2) use the "cover" provided by the increased focus on these targets to strike elsewhere?

I'm not convinced that the color-coded terror alert system that we currently have is that effective, I certainly don't pay attention to it or give it any heed in my day-to-day business. I'm not pretending to have a better idea, I don't know what the solution is.

[PrincessFiona]

Honestly, I have to say that I pretty much ignore the whole terror alert system now...so for me it is ineffective. I'm not even excited/shocked/surprised by the 'new' information about attacks in NY, DC and NJ....

I also heard Ridge say that and felt the same way that you did. I think I've come to assume that some of this is political...even if it isn't. When Kerry announced his running mate Ridge came out with a whole spiel where he did a terror press conference and basically said nothing new...just for us all to be aware....The pundits are basically saying that most people see Bush as being 'tougher on terrorism' so (excuse my cynicism) it seems natural that coming out of the DNC and heading into the RNC that there are more alerts....it makes Bush look good. Why, I'm not sure...because aren't we supposed to be safer now than we were on 9/11?

In any case, Jane...I'm a big ol' cynic about this stuff now. It started out to be a system to warn us of real danger and they used it so often that it has become meaningless to me.

kris

I'm a cynic too. It's like "Okay, a few days have gone by, it's time to be scared again! Just making sure you remember there's a war on terror out there." (Boy, is THAT a contradiction in terms!)

So where are they? You'd think, with all the advanced terror alerts, that I would have found Osama Bin Laden poking his head up out of my cornflakes this morning. But the truth is, nothing has happened since September of 2001, and no one can prove to me that it's because of these orange alerts or our fabulous intelligence capabilities or whatever. So I fear it's just to get the current regime re-elected, and to remind people WHY they've cheerfully given up all their Constitutional and civil rights (except for the 2nd Amendment--they decided to keep that one.) I have no faith or trust in anything our goverment does.

[PrincessFiona]

Elizabeth....I feel like the corruptions/bs runs on both sides of the aisle though....I can not honestly say that I feel all warm and fuzzy about Kerry...or any of the politicians out there stumping it this Fall...

[Meenah]

I'm undecided on the terror alert/color coding thing, but I did watch Tom Ridge yesterday, and I was really pissed off that he used it to campaign for George. I couldn't believe it. I know that both sides have good & bad, but that was over the top.
Luanne

Yeah, whatever. I DO feel good about the two on the Democratic ticket, and the more I read about them, the better I feel. I like the idea of some thoughtful diplomacy and recognizing that we actually ARE part of this world instead of the macho-man 'unzip and thwack it on the table' methods we've had so far.

After spending four years of being ignored, and ridiculed for being an 'intellectual' and being told that my opinions don't matter, please don't deny me the pleasure of having a little bit of hope that this person might actually want to be the President of the entire country, not just of conservative, Republican, evangelical Christians. Even if it's all just lies...and it might be, these are lies I can believe in for a change. Don't deny me that belief. It's all I have.

[PrincessFiona]

Well, I want hope too...I guess I'm just disappointed by the dem ticket this time around. For some reason, I just don't like Kerry...I can't explain it. I wish that I felt differently, but I don't. I still plan on voting for him.

kris

[fluffhead]

So I fear it's just to get the current regime re-elected, and to remind people WHY they've cheerfully given up all their Constitutional and civil rights . I have no faith or trust in anything our goverment does.

How about when Cheney was emphatically declaring that there was a "one hundred percent probability" of another terrorist attack if we'd enter Afghanistan. (so make sure to get that flag up the pole and sign over your library borrowing records to the FBI)
It's hard not to be cynical about this whole yellow/orange waffling business.

[DCJenn]

Here's a couple stories from the center of the target:

1) Guy is driving home from work and sees a man standing on the 14th St. Bridge snappng pictures of planes taking off and landing at National. Hmmmm. So, being the good Samaritan that he is, he calls 911 on his cell phone. Except that it's a Maryland cell # so he gets directed to the Maryland 911 people. Who are clueless about what to do or who he needs to call. So he calls information and tries to get a hold of DC Police, only to be told that it's the Park Police who handle the bridge, who tell him that it's Virginia police who are responsible.....etc...until he finally gets someone who proceeds to reprimand him for talking on the cell phone while driving. Oh, yes, I have every confidence that all the systems are working and talking effectively to combat terrorism in the Nation's Capital.

2) A study was commissioned to look at ways to kill people in DC and one of the most glaring was the fact that freight trains are allowed to go through the city (Union Station is RIGHT NEXT DOOR to the Capitol) carrying hazardous waste and noxious chemicals. IN fact, the Senator who commissioned the study found that one well placed bomb to a container car carrying ammonia would kill 100,000 Washingtonians in 30 minutes. Has anyone done anything about this? Of course, the chemical lobby and the freight train lobby sure have. (I'll be a goner too, I live about 6 blocks from the train station)

Hmmm, are we safer? Are the codes working? Is the system ready? Judging from the fabulous job they're doing in the MIDDLE of the f-ing Target- I'd say, "No". I think that there is absolutely NO coincidence that Terror Alerts happen when bad news comes from areas. Cynical, no, I want to be able to live in my hometown with some semblence of security and these fools can't even get the appropriate 911 operators online.

If I can think of a million ways to off people in DC, so can the terrorists. Why can't the feds?

Jenn

[migirl]

Nice stories, Jenn. Very reassuring.

[DCJenn]

and now after all of this, the FBI says that the information was 3 years old and that "nothing has changed" and that they were "surprised" that this is turned in to such a big deal.

I am so tired of Homeland Security (whatever that means) manipulating people into believing that something is "imminent". It's just turned in to another sound bite for the Administration. Logic says that there would be terrorists in this country, and logic would say that they would be planning something. I don't get what the surprise is. Of course they're planning an attack. They're terrorists. Terrorists are only effective when they do bad stuff....

I was struck with quite another cynical thought. We all know that Osama bin Laden, et al, are loaded, right? I wonder if they're investing in the security industry in this country. Makes some sense, right? Make some money off the very situation you create. (of course, the money trail would be very long and complicated)

Hmmmm.

Jenn[/b]

[Auspicious]

Logic says that there would be terrorists in this country, and logic would say that they would be planning something. I don't get what the surprise is. Of course they're planning an attack. They're terrorists. Terrorists are only effective when they do bad stuff....

That pretty much sums it up. I feel like that terror alert system just serves to remind me of something very depressing that I already know and accept as fact. It's sort of like if they announced on the news every few weeks "You know, you could already have some kind of untreatable cancer and just not realize it yet." "You know, you could burst an aneurysm at any moment and be left a vegetable." Unless you have specific recommendations like "Get yearly mammograms after the age of 40," lay off already! I'm all for facing up to hard truths and being aware of the world around us, but I don't need the vague anxiety.

So, I think about terrorist attacks pretty much daily, but I try to think about the color-coded terror alert system as little as possible. I don't blame the administration for coming up with it, though. Basically at that point they needed to tell the American people something, and although what they came up with is pretty lame, I can't really say I have anything better.

[PrincessFiona]

To add to this depressing thread...my dad is a pilot with a major airlines and is 2 years away from retirement...he is looking into ways to retire early. He talks about a flight a few weeks ago where some arabic? musicians (14, I believe) got on board and caused a huge scene because it was thought that each had brought on a piece of some type of a bomb to assemble it one at a time in the lavatory? Apparently this story didn't make headlines though it scared the crap out of a lot of people on board. Also, the men were arrested as soon as the plane landed. He said that there are way too many things happening that he has seen or heard about from his colleagues and that instead of increasing security people have become more relaxed....all of the terror alerts have kind of dulled the collective consciousness about terror, I guess. He also says that they've added the reinforced doors, but that it is ineffective...now they can't break in through the door, but he says they could break in easily at other points.


Regarding the alerts....I also heard the 3 years old thing...I really think this is much more about politics and keeping people afraid than anything else....I could be wrong though. Lets just all hope nothing happens.

kris

[Auspicious]

The arabic musicians thing:

http://www.womenswallstreet.com/WWS/art ... icleid=711

Commentary in Salon about it:

http://archive.salon.com/tech/col/smith ... hepilot95/

(Disclaimer: The opinions discussed in either of these articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the chick who posted them )

I don't find them terribly useful. I also don't live in a part of the country that is typically targeted (the space needle is about as close as it gets, I guess). And even if I did live in NYC or DC, I don't think the alerts would be too helpful because they are so vague. It sort of falls into the "there are all sorts of risks you take in your daily life" category and any changes made would probably affect the quality of life.
I think the alerts are sort of like the smoky bear fire danger alerts in forests. I don't take much notice unless they are deep into the red and if they're not in the red it's not like I'm waving around a lighted match or something -- I'm still careful.
I don't fly as much as I used to but not because of the terror alerts. Flying doesn't feel a whole lot safer or more dangerous than it used to.

I agree that the government had to do something and that something was a corny color alert system that most everyone ignores. Do I have a better idea? Nope! I don't think they should mess with it very often, though, and 3 year old information is not reason enough to raise it. That sort of decision is exactly the sort of thing that will make people ignore warnings.