clarification
There either is or isn't a threat of an imminent terrorist attack. It may or may not be against New York City. You should probably be nervous and panicky, at the same time appearing nonchalant and bored. The alert code may or may not change. That Santa in front of Macy's just might be a suicide bomber. Or it might be Santa. Check to see if it's female. Then again, a terrorist might be a man dressed as a woman, so be vigilant, trust no one, practice extreme caution, but don't worry, be happy and go about your normal lives. The threats are credible but not corroborated; serious but nothing to worry about.
Are we clear on this yet?
Comments
Yes and no.
Posted by: Ed | December 19, 2003 04:01 PM
I'm gonna hide behind Tom Ridge until the crisis passes.
Posted by: Rob | December 19, 2003 04:02 PM
At least they are using the correct term "homocide bomber" rather than the incorrect "suicide bomber." Then again, it is Fox News.
Posted by: Faith | December 19, 2003 04:04 PM
For crying out loud, either post an alert or Don't!! I think the News agencies are so terrified of missing a scoop that they'll repeat anything, no matter how vague, just to appear "in touch".
Truthfully, it has got to be just as bad in Intelligence circles. I mean, there was SUCH a big stink about who knew what when and which signals were missed on 9/11, that I imagine NO ONE wants to be left holding the bag in any future "threats". Can you imagine trying to sift out the wheat from the chaff in this stuff??
Posted by: Doctorfrau | December 19, 2003 04:25 PM
I want to hide behind Kucinich, Michael Moore and Dean. No self respecting terrorist would attack their best friends, plus Moore can probably take a hit from an RPG. He won't survive but the blast won't get through all that BS.
Posted by: alfredo stroessner | December 19, 2003 05:01 PM
Libya 'to give up WMD'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3335965.stm
Well this is a step in the right direction.
I guess the war on terror is working after all.
Posted by: Rich | December 19, 2003 05:22 PM
The first suicide santa bomber I see I am going to wrap in plastic and duct tape.
Posted by: Headzero | December 19, 2003 05:47 PM
LOL@Alfredo S.
I think, sadly, that the next attack will occur just the same as 9/11 (hope to God not as bad though).
We won't know when or where it's going to happen.
If the terrorists have any brains, they would use the American intelligence groups in order to scare people.
For example, just start telling all thier friends about an upcoming attack (a non-existent one), then watch the US government and such go bonkers over the latest "chatter"
Posted by: JonB | December 19, 2003 06:21 PM
Yeah, I'm quite clear on it. Same old same old. Intelligence info is like that. That's why I take all the "they could have prevented..." claims with a large grain of salt. Sure they could have, if they'd had dates and times and plans. But that's not what you get. You get rumors and hints and tips, some of which are good and some of which are disinfo from the other side.
Since Sept 11, 2001 they've been erring on the side of caution to the point that we're all rolling our eyes. Before that they weren't telling us anything at all about threats. I'd rather roll my eyes and be a bit more observant.
Posted by: Kathy K | December 19, 2003 06:29 PM
Hey, move down to Mississippi where for once, it is good that we rate 49th or 50th among the states - that probably our ranking on the list of states the terrorists may (or may not) attack.
Plus we don't get snow.
Posted by: Ken | December 19, 2003 06:55 PM
No, we aren't any safer at all.
Posted by: blaster | December 19, 2003 06:59 PM
According to Keith Oberman (MSNBC) the ABCNews report was inaccurate...they mixed an old alert with the current one...I dunno any more.
The freakin' power keeps going out in the East Bay Hills today...makes me very nervous...everytime we're plunged into darkness I can't help but wonder what's next.
Posted by: feste | December 19, 2003 09:13 PM
Well, like I said, I have heard nothing from my sources and I carry a gun for the government. They even make me carry ammunition for it. We are at Force Protection Condition Bravo. That is basically, 100% ID check and keep your eyes and ears open.
Posted by: alfredo stroessner | December 19, 2003 09:35 PM
What's wrong with you people? Haven't you heard that since president Bush took pre-emptive action to fight terrorism that no terrorist attack has occurred on American soil? What are you afraid of?
Haven't you heard that Howard Dean was horribly, horribly wrong when said that the capture of Saddam did not make America safer?
Get with the program!
Posted by: Wilbur | December 19, 2003 11:15 PM
Oh Wilbur, go suck your thumb. We aren't all big babies, and only delusional fools think that the capture of one terrorist sponsor out of hundreds was supposed to make Magic Safety Dust fall across the land.
Posted by: Andrea Harris | December 20, 2003 10:31 AM
And I'm sure Wilbur will be weeping and gnashing his teeth the next time the public isn't alerted about a threat. Once again, damned if you do and damned if you don't.
Posted by: dzd | December 21, 2003 01:36 AM