Threat Level WILL be raised to RED today.
I work for a city government, and our fire, police, and health departments were informed yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon that the feds plan to raise the Terrorism Threat Level from Orange to Red sometime today (Wednesday). That indicates that we move from a "High" to "Severe" risk of terrorist attacks.
I HOPE that this doesn't happen, but it's pretty much guaranteed when I hear it from my boss (the Communications Director for the city).
The question is: when does it happen? Saddam's 48 hours are up at 8pm EST, so it might not be until evening in the U.S. It may be like most of the others and take place in the late morning or early afternoon.
Either way, it's creepy to think that we're going to the highest threat level on the scale.
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I HOPE that this doesn't happen, but it's pretty much guaranteed when I hear it from my boss (the Communications Director for the city).
The question is: when does it happen? Saddam's 48 hours are up at 8pm EST, so it might not be until evening in the U.S. It may be like most of the others and take place in the late morning or early afternoon.
Either way, it's creepy to think that we're going to the highest threat level on the scale.

Comments
Severe risk of terrorist attacks.
In addition to the previously outlined protective measures, the following steps may be taken:
Assigning emergency response personnel and pre-positioning specially trained teams
Monitoring, redirecting or constraining transportation systems
Closing public and government facilities
Increasing or redirecting personnel to address critical emergency needs
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Wow ... the chatter must be getting quite intense if they're actually going to go up to Red.
I'm supposed to get on a plane Thurs morning to visit my girlfriend in St. Louis. I'm really agonizing over whether it's a good idea. Hijacks don't scare me, given the way passengers have reacted to any nutjobs since 9/11 - but stingers and bombs do.
The problem I have with these constant elevations is that after some time it's going to be a case of the 'boy who cried wolf'.
I don't have any hard statistics, but I'd say you are more likely to die in a car crash than in a terrorist attack (if you live in the US). Also, my family has not altered any travel plans after 2001-09-11. We were planning on to Vancouver, BC in a few weeks, but we might change that depending on how bad this WHO SARS thing. Although, according to Google News, there may have been a breakthough, but I disgress.
Also, I repeat my question, has anyone heard anything about actual evidence (increased terrorist chatter) or is just because the upcoming war?
Originally posted by audiopollution
The problem I have with these constant elevations is that after some time it's going to be a case of the 'boy who cried wolf'.
It's also hard to know what I should do differently under red.
Originally posted by glurx
It's also hard to know what I should do differently under red.
Something to do with duct tape, I'm sure.
Originally posted by glurx
It's also hard to know what I should do differently under red.
This might help. It will tell you exactly what you need to do.
Originally posted by audiopollution
Something to do with duct tape, I'm sure.
Yeah, you'll need it to wrap around your head when all the FUD starts flying from folks doubting whether or not the threat level is sincere.
I'm grateful for the alert system, even if it means some false alarms sometimes. Forewarned is (I hope) forearmed.
Originally posted by finboy
Yeah, you'll need it to wrap around your head when all the FUD starts flying from folks doubting whether or not the threat level is sincere.
I'm grateful for the alert system, even if it means some false alarms sometimes. Forewarned is (I hope) forearmed.
Forewarned TO DO WHAT EXACTLY? This isn't a terrorist alert system. This is a political cover your ass system! If something happens and the alert level is high, they simply saw it coming and for x, y, and z excuses, were unable to stop it. But, they warned us!!!
Originally posted by tonton
Is she hot?
Hot enough for me to rack up 80,000 miles the last three years.
Originally posted by BR
Forewarned TO DO WHAT EXACTLY? This isn't a terrorist alert system. This is a political cover your ass system! If something happens and the alert level is high, they simply saw it coming and for x, y, and z excuses, were unable to stop it. But, they warned us!!!
I think I'll get some RED duct tape -- here comes the FUD.
Originally posted by BR
This might help. It will tell you exactly what you need to do.
sweet... tension defusing caption thread lives again
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In case of RED Alert, tighten these sphincters until directed otherwise.
You will go to the Dagobah System. Dagobah System.
Do not drink kool-aid from any religious guy, deadhead, or cheap french winery.
just trying to lighten the stress load
I was going to give them $50 to bet on black, but I guess I better switch that to RED.
They're reconsidering going now of course...
I was going to give them $50 to bet on black, but I guess I better switch that to RED.
That joke was so bad it made my balls hurt.
NO SOUP FOR YOU!
Just playing with you, murbot, nothing but love!
flights should be grounded, transportation haulted..... should go into lock-up.
at least IMO.
seems these threat levels mean shit if the highest isnt like what I described and it seems almost impossible to ever be at the lowest level
By TOM BALDWIN
Gannett State Bureau
TRENTON
If the nation escalates to "red alert," which is the highest in the
color-coded readiness against terror, you will be assumed by
authorities to be the enemy if you so much as venture outside your
home, the state's anti-terror czar says.
"This state is on top of it," said Sid Caspersen, New Jersey's
director of the office of counter-terrorism.
Caspersen, a former FBI agent, was briefing reporters, alongside Gov.
James E. McGreevey, on Thursday, when for the first time he disclosed
the realities of how a red alert would shut the state down.
A red alert would also tear away virtually all personal freedoms to
move about and associate.
"Red means all noncritical functions cease," Caspersen said.
"Noncritical would be almost all businesses, except health-related."
A red alert means there is a severe risk of terrorist attack,
according to federal guidelines from the Department of Homeland
Security.
"The state will restrict transportation and access to critical
locations," says the state's new brochure on dealing with terrorism.
"You must adhere to the restrictions announced by authorities and
prepare to evacuate, if instructed. Stay alert for emergency
messages."
Caspersen went further than the brochure. "The government agencies
would run at a very low threshold," he said.
"The state police and the emergency management people would take
control over the highways.
"You literally are staying home, is what happens, unless you are
required to be out. No different than if you had a state of emergency
with a snowstorm."
Why wouldn't a regional alert be issued, rather than shutting down everything.
The above quoted article is a bit unclear to me.