U.S. lowers terror threat level

[wovenwonder]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The United States on Thursday lowered the terror threat level from high to elevated -- orange to yellow -- citing the end of the Muslim hajj pilgrimage as a key factor.

At the same time, the United States warned that the country is still in danger of a terror attack.

New York City, the site of the September 11, 2001, terror attack at the World Trade Center, is remaining on orange alert.

The statement emphasizes "that the United States and its interests are still at a significant risk of terrorist attack. Detained al Qaeda operatives have informed U.S. intelligence and law enforcement officials that al Qaeda will wait until it believes Americans are less vigilant and less prepared before it will strike again.

"For this reason, and for the safety and security of our nation, Americans must continue to be defiant and alert. We must always be prepared to respond to a significant risk of terrorist attacks."

 

[WillyJ]

All I can say is that considering the heightened "alert" was put in place on Feb. 7th and at the beginning of Hajj and Hajj lasts only 5 days, and the "alert" was followed by the following announcements by the Bush Administration:


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Terror Alert Partly Based on Fabricated Information

Feb. 13 — A key piece of the information leading to recent terror alerts was fabricated, according to two senior law enforcement officials in Washington and New York.

The officials said that a claim made by a captured al Qaeda member that Washington, New York or Florida would be hit by a "dirty bomb" sometime this week had proven to be a product of his imagination.
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WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 — Federal security authorities are taking a “hard look” at whether the government needs to remain at a high terrorism threat level, a senior U.S. official said Friday.

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WASHINGTON Feb. 15 — Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge sought to calm jittery Americans on Friday, saying they should be vigilant but there was no need "to start sealing the doors or windows" against terrorist threats.After many people spent a week stocking up on duct tape and watched anti-aircraft missile launchers set up around their national capital, Ridge said preparation, not panic, is in order. He also said officials don't have any conclusive intelligence where, when or how the terrorists could strike.
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. . that not only is it about time is was lowered, but the Bush Administration owes the American public an apology for scaring the heck out everyone in the first place.

While the "possibility" of a terrorist attack is always there, I feel it was extremely irresponsible of them to heighten the alert on rumors, bogus information they didn't bother to check until after they announced it, and "possibilities" rather then facts.. .


I also stand by my opinion of this whole farce I stated when it first happened; it is (was) a lame and misguided attempt to raise support for an invasion of Iraq. . and if I'm right, it backfired big time. The latest poll shows 64% of Americans against immediate military action in Iraq and 31% for, an almost complete reversal of public opinion from 3 weeks ago. .

If the Bush Administration would stop running like a bunch of fish-wifes on speed repeating every rumor as fact and trying to scare and bully people into seeing things their way, perhaps they'll emerge from this mess with a shred or two of credibility. . but right now it sure doesn't appear they are learning anything from the errors they've made yet. . .

 

[ead79]

I am glad that the alert has been downgraded, but I definitely think we need to continue to be vigilant in guarding against and watching out for terrorist activities. I support the government's decision to announce the information they did have so we could all be extra vigilant, though it was frightening. I think that they have a large amount of intelligence information that they do not tell the public to keep panic from ensuing, but that same info makes them feel there is indeed cause for concern. I also do not feel it was just a ploy to gain support for a war with Iraq, but this is all just MHO.

 

[WillyJ]

I respect you opinion Elizabeth, although I disagree with it. .


But I have to ask; what information did they release that helped our country be one whit safer?

 

[ead79]

Right back at you Willy--totally have respect for your opinion, just disagree a bit.

I think that the duct tape/plastic thing was not really a very good suggestion (it seems to me that really harmful stuff will still get through the barrier), but I think telling people to have bottled water on hand and have a plan in the event of a catastrophe were both good suggestions. Actually, those are good ideas even when there is not a great danger of a terrorist attack--planning ahead is a good idea for other things like house fires, power outages, etc. I also hope that the heightened alert made people be more aware of their surroundings (e.g. watch for any suspicious activity and report it).

 

[CarolA]

Willy,
I am with you!

I think that Alerts should be targeted based on information. Do we really think that people in the middle of the desert have the same risk as people in NYC. I don't!

The Bush administration runs the risk of people ignoring real alerts if they aren't careful. You can't expect to remain at Orange for over a month. If that is the situation then instead of alerts we need to change our overall security to reflect a permanent change. Remember the boy who cried wolf. I am already pretty immune to this. I have done nothing to prepare and I think I am probably in the majority.

 

[WillyJ]

We're in agreement there Elizabeth. .

I just feel that a reminder could have been accomplished in a more responsible way, and it was wrong for them to act like they had solid info about an "impending" attack and then admit a few days later that they didn't . .

But being prepared and alert is sensible and necessary for everyone- that I totally agree with. .

 

[nativetxn]

I always keep water on hand anyway, and quite a few unperishable items are stored in my basement. My mother raised me to be prepared for power going out or water being shut off or whatever could happen. So I don't do it because of fear of terrorist attacks. I'm prepared though.

I thought the plastic and duct tape warning was just about the dumbest thing I'd ever heard, whatever reason the warning was given.

It's good to know that the alert has been downgraded a shade.