DHS to change terror alert system

[500grains]

Bush-era system: ;)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v641/500grains/homelandsecurityterroradvisorysyste.jpg



U.S. eyeing change in terror-alert color code

WASHINGTON - The Homeland Security Department is looking to scrap the five-tiered color-coded terror-warning system in favor of a streamlined one with as few as two alerts.

The post-9/11, Bush-era system has been criticized as too vague to be useful in communicating the terror threat to the public.

One option under consideration is to go to two threat levels instead of five: elevated and imminent. When the threat level would change to imminent under the new model, government officials would be expected to be as specific as possible in describing the threat without jeopardizing national security. An imminent threat would not last longer than a week, meaning the public wouldn't see a consistently high and ambiguous threat level.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/11/25/20101125ColorCodedThreats1125.html


Secretary of DHS considering the new proposal:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v641/500grains/janetnapolitanoasleepdhs-2.jpg

[Complication]

I'm sorry, but when the only two levels are "elevated" and "imminent," I can't help but think of something 1984-ish. At least the old system had "Low Risk" and "Guarded" (even though it's never been on the lowest two levels).

So now with "elevated" and "imminent" we have the options of being "scared" or "super scared"? No thank you.

On the one hand I'd like to be pleased because at least they're being honest with us now. On the other hand, I think the entire "threat-level" system is crap.

And it was always doomed to be crap. Because no one wants to lower the threat level to "Guarded" or "Low Risk" and then have someone bomb the Golden Gate Bridge--the person in charge would be crucified. But you can't toss the levels out the window and issue a press release whenever you think there's a threat--then you would let the enemy know too much but also, after a few press releases, you'd have all the news channels running "boy who cried wolf" stories.

Who pays any attention to the threat level anyhow (besides the TSA)?

[The_War_Wagon]

So now with "elevated" and "imminent" we have the options of being "scared" or "super scared"? No thank you.

Mohammedans have captured the White House - where's the dark brown level for, "Scared shiiteless!"?!?!

[Complication]

Mohammedans have captured the White House - where's the dark brown level for, "Scared shiiteless!"?!?!

If that ever happens, I'll let you know.

[SeriousStudent]

Honestly, I think it reminds me of Ron White's threat level system.

Threat level 1: Buy a helmet.

Threat level 2: Put on the helmet.