CNN: GAO report criticizes terror warnings

[FlashHarry]

Link Here

<snip>
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- U.S. government terror warnings to local police and citizens fail to give the specific information many authorities say is needed to protect the public, a report made for Congress said Monday.

The report followed a series of official warnings about possible attacks -- most recently voiced last week by Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge -- which lacked new intelligence or details on the threat and how to respond.

The report by the Government Accountability Office, the independent, nonpartisan investigative arm of Congress, was based on survey of 28 agencies and 56 states and territories.

Those responding "generally indicated that they did not receive specific threat information and guidance, which they believe hindered their ability to determine and implement protective measures," the report said.
</snip>

[rustydog]

1. Be Very Afraid!! But, go shopping and flying and vacationing!

PS
love the Bush picture...Is he channeling Jesus again?

[Miss Authoritiva]

2. Actually, Rove is performing a reverse Vulcan mind meld.

n/t

[gauguin57]

3. 'Scuse me, but ...

... if our terror threat is so damned high right now (CIA dude sez highest since 9/11 be afraid be very afraid or some such thing)...

if all that is true, why in the hell hasn't the Tom Ridge Crayola Box of Terror color level been raised?

We're still at Condition: Taupe (er, level yellow).

[FlashHarry]

4. They've junked it, I think.

They're just too embarrassed to admit it.

[Kolesar]

5. Some lefties have claimed the Ohio-Mall alert was 100% political...

...and so were most other Tom Ridge alerts. They are used to distract media coverage from bad stories. One of these days, I have to see F-9/11. I hear that story is in there.

(smile when you say "leftie")

[struggle4progress]

6. kick for uggabugga

:kick:

[skooooo]

7. I thought GAO = Government Accounting Office...

...not "Accountabilty" Office. Am I crazy or are there two GAOs??

[sandraj]

8. they changed the name...

according to the article ~ "GAO was formerly known as the General Accounting Office. Under recent legislation, it changed its name to the Government Accountability Office."

As a general comment, I hope they do away with these alerts entirely. It's not like following weather patterns where Doppler radar can pick up an actual storm approaching and there is an actual need to warn people so they can take cover.

With these terror alerts it's always the same language: "credible" but "nonspecific" threat, etc. What's the point? I'm not saying that terrorism can't happen here again, but the only thing the alerts do is frighten people, or make them more cynical. Either way it is a completely useless process.