Stuck on high, US terror alerts lose meaning for many

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L30656065.htm

WASHINGTON, July 31 (Reuters) - The government's five-colour terror alert system has become almost meaningless for many Americans, with the threat level stalled inexorably at yellow for elevated risk or orange for high.

"Great. We can either be panicked, or more panicked," said Stacy Lewis, a Virginia mother of two, in a typical reaction.

Months after the first orange alert sent terrified Americans out to buy duct tape in February as protection against chemical attack and local governments began to bemoan the cost of extra security, experts say they see little or no chance of a lower alert level any time soon.

That will require years of success in fighting terror groups and huge improvements in domestic security, they said.

"I think for the foreseeable future, literally nothing can happen that can take us to green (the lowest risk)," said Michael O'Hanlon, an analyst at the Brookings Institution in Washington and expert on security issues.

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[Old and In the Way]

1. Look for an overhaul in color schemes

DHS is probably hard at work with focus groups on new colors that'll really, really be meaningful.

[chasqui]

2. It's all a joke

It is becoming apparent that not even the government believes this terrorism hoax any longer. They attempt to slash 100 million dollars from the Air Marshall Program, the color coded system loses its meaning, people start to lose the faith. It is either time for another mass marketing event, or it is time for some serious about-facing from the junta.

[Cha]

3. I'm hearing on the Mike Malloy Show that the alert is high for

suicide airplane hijackers...and the bushwa is firing the skymarshalls.

[NYC]

4. Sky marshalls are back.

Their original schedule has been reinstated. I guess the cuts didn't go over well.

Hard to believe, isn't it? Sorry I don't have a link, but already they have backtracked on the cuts.

[Cha]

7. You know I thought I heard that! Just now on Mike Malloy!

Great!! WE weren't gonna put up with that shyte!

[Shae]

5. IIRC ...

I rarely felt like I was in any danger from terrorists before Dubya stole the election.

[Q]

6. But only the Bushies get to define 'success'...

- The end of the 'war' will come right after the already gorged corporations make sure there's not a nickle left in the treasury to be 'wasted' on social programs.