Scare America

Looks like the Bushies and the Department of Homeland Paranoia have done it again. However, unlike the numerous, strategically timed terror warnings of the past, this one was much more specific and the implication was that they had definite information about Al-Qaeda "planning attacks" on financial institutions in New York and DC although there was no "time frame." The threat level was increased to Orange Plus (I've got my spine...I've got my Orange Plus, to paraphrase an old R.E.M. song).

Tom Ridge and his big, scary head came on TV to raise the spectre of the terrorist bogeyman once again. Security was increased outside the aforementioned targets including heavily armed police officers in body armor with bomb sniffing dogs to (purportedly) make us feel more secure. Yet again, we were told to "go about our daily lives" while "remainging vigilant."

Which makes the news that the information all this hubbub was based on is 3 to 4 yrs. old absolutely INFURIATING!! They failed to mention this completely during the original press conferences, but once the media got hold of their deception they quickly backpedaled by saying that the initial surveillance of the targets took place in 2000 or 2001, but that it had been "updated" January of this year. Still, there is no time frame for the impending attacks. What an ingenious way to keep us good and scared indefinitely (or at least until November 3rd).

I'm not 100% sure that this warning is politically motivated, but it is suspect at the very least. And I feel America is getting very tired of the government crying wolf. I'd rather we be overprotected than underprotected, but be honest with us. These targets could have been attacked any time within the past 3 years and they'd have been wholly unprotected. We're very fortunate that that wasn't the case, but now that we're making such a big stink about protecting them, wouldn't the terrorists find alternate targets if they're really planning an attack??

At the very least, "President" Bush is doing his best to implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission (the formation of which he vehemently opposed and in front of which he refused to officially testify, remember) in a speedy fashion. That's literally the least he could do. Good on ya, W. It's nice to know "America's safer.." in these "...dangerous times" with you at the helm.