Former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge claims in a new book that he was pressured by other members of President George W. Bush's Cabinet to raise the nation's terror alert level just before the 2004 presidential election. (Source: RCP)This is right up there with Obama accusing Republicans of playing politics. Oh, the horror! Politicians playing politics!
I always thought the whole Terrorism threat levels, with its Christmas tree colors, was nonsense.
What is my 85 year old granny supposed to do with this alarming information blared out by the government? What am I supposed to do with it? Be more alert?
OK, I see two men in flowing robes and dishdashas taking pictures of a railway trestle on my way to work. Am I going to report it? Of course not! That would be identifying myself as a bigot who unfairly stereotypes people. Screw that, I don't need the hassle.
Threat levels and alerts are good things for military installations and government agencies, but do nothing for a citizenry just trying to live their daily lives.
RCP - Ridge
FEC Diary
2 comments:
I have never understood it myself. I suppose they were wanting to warn police enforcement, security guards, schools, etc.
We already have channels for alerting law enforcement, etc.
I wonder how many paranoid and chronic worriers this system pushed over the edge...
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