Have we ever NOT been at Homeland Security Threat Level Orange?

[Flexin]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

Still orange

I don't remember it being yellow even ONCE in the last 8 years and prolly 150 times I've flown during that time.

Retarded.

Dept of Homeland Security = teh ghey

Maybe the threat level hasn't changed at all in those areas.

Maybe your arrival causes the Orange level. Hmmmmm.

James

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by Flexin

Maybe the threat level hasn't changed at all in those areas.

Maybe your arrival causes the Orange level. Hmmmmm.

James

He's probably related to Cat Stevens...

I have no doubt that if we allowed it, these motherfuckers would crash planes into buildings daily. Just like they blow themselves up in market places and on school buses. I don't think that some people really understand what we're up against here. I was lucky enough to be over there at a different time but I've talked to soldiers that have seen it. They don't care who they kill. We accidentally snuff one female or child and it's court marshals for everyone. While they routinely murder dozens of their own people just to get one or two of us. If it were up to me, we'd close our borders and systematically round up all illegals and kick them the fuck out. I don't fucking care what the lobbies or the ACLU thinks about it!

It's just a matter of when the shit goes down. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if we have foiled one or even two dirty bomb plans already. Keep your head in the sand and bitch about your bottle of Perrier if you want. Everyday we go without a major terrorist attack is a blessing and a testimony to the hard work and sacrifice the some poor unappreciated bastards put in so some pampered dumb ass can have the freedom to call him "ghey" on the internet.

[Homeslice]

Originally Posted by TIGGER

He's probably related to Cat Stevens...

It's just a matter of when the shit goes down. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if we have foiled one or even two dirty bomb plans already. Keep your head in the sand and bitch about your bottle of Perrier if you want. Everyday we go without a major terrorist attack is a blessing and a testimony to the hard work and sacrifice the some poor unappreciated bastards put in so some pampered dumb ass can have the freedom to call him "ghey" on the internet.

Hard work isn't the issue. Appreciation for what they're doing isn't the issue. The issue is how much time & convenience we're willing to give up in exchange for security. If you think anything is justified, then why aren't you advocating that the airline industry totally shut down? After all, that would prevent hijackings, wouldn't it? But no, I'm guessing you still want the airlines to work.......Which proves that you agree that there's a middle ground between security and freedom. So the only question is, where is that middle ground, and where is the threat.

There is so much else in the way of terrorism that could be done in this country if they wanted to, much more easily than hijacking a plane. They could introduce poisons into our food or water, they could barricade a theater and burn it down, they could take out a bridge or some train tracks, hell a couple of the forest fires out west were considered arson, maybe they'll get that idea soon.

Keeping the threat level at orange all the time is like building a car with an oil pressure gauge that stays in one spot all the time.......It's aggravating, and somewhat insulting. If people keep hearing the same thing all the time, don't you think they will ignore it?

[goof2]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

Hard work isn't the issue. Appreciation for what they're doing isn't the issue. The issue is how much time & convenience we're willing to give up in exchange for security. If you think anything is justified, then why aren't you advocating that the airline industry totally shut down? After all, that would prevent hijackings, wouldn't it? But no, I'm guessing you still want the airlines to work.......Which proves that you agree that there's a middle ground between security and freedom. So the only question is, where is that middle ground, and where is the threat.

There is so much else in the way of terrorism that could be done in this country if they wanted to, much more easily than hijacking a plane. They could introduce poisons into our food or water, they could barricade a theater and burn it down, they could take out a bridge or some train tracks, hell a couple of the forest fires out west were considered arson, maybe they'll get that idea soon.

Keeping the threat level at orange all the time is like building a car with an oil pressure gauge that stays in one spot all the time.......It's aggravating, and somewhat insulting. If people keep hearing the same thing all the time, don't you think they will ignore it?

I would agree with you if Homeland Security always kept it at orange. They have not. Here is a timeline of changes in status.

http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/history/editorial_0844.shtm

The natural tendency is to try and prevent the last attack from happening again. I suspect you would not be very happy with the measures required to try and stop any potential future attacks.

If terrorists wanted to screw us up one of the best ways would be to attack multiple malls during the Christmas rush. They wouldn't need anything special. They could use weapons that are completely legal. Hell, they could use rifles, shotguns, and ammunition purchased from sporting goods stores attached to many malls. Something tells me you would be less than pleased though if you had to undergo the same security checks to enter a mall you currently have to deal with to enter an airport terminal.

Where is the middle ground when the threat is pretty much everywhere?

[Homeslice]

Originally Posted by goof2

I would agree with you if Homeland Security always kept it at orange. They have not. Here is a timeline of changes in status.

http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/history/editorial_0844.shtm

At the bottom of that website it says that it's remained Orange for all domestic flights since August 06.

Can you look at the chart below and tell me if you think the risk could honestly be described as being only one step below "Severe", for the last 3 years non-stop without a break? There have been tens of thousands of commerical flights during those 3 years, with no terrorist attacks on them. If the risk was really "High" I would have expected at least 2-3 successful attacks during those 3 years.

[goof2]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

At the bottom of that website it says that it's remained Orange for all domestic flights since August 06.

Can you look at the chart below and tell me if you think the risk could honestly be described as being only one step below "Severe", for the last 3 years non-stop without a break? There have been tens of thousands of commerical flights during those 3 years, with no terrorist attacks on them. If the risk was really "High" I would have expected at least 2-3 successful attacks during those 3 years.

I think that the general threat level should be "Guarded" while airports should be "Elevated" but either way with the attacks carried out on mass transit throughout the world over the last 5 years it should be higher than the general level. The fact is that America doesn't have the manpower to cover all mass transit with the security it deserves, hence only airports having a raised level. By your "2-3 successful attacks" logic should thwarted attacks drive the threat level lower? Last month charges were filed in 5 separate terror plots in one week. Is the threat of terrorism really gone? Where do you think the threat level should be?

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by goof2

I think that the general threat level should be "Guarded" while airports should be "Elevated" but either way with the attacks carried out on mass transit throughout the world over the last 5 years it should be higher than the general level. The fact is that America doesn't have the manpower to cover all mass transit with the security it deserves, hence only airports having a raised level. By your "2-3 successful attacks" logic should thwarted attacks drive the threat level lower? Last month charges were filed in 5 separate terror plots in one week. Is the threat of terrorism really gone? Where do you think the threat level should be?

Thank you. So because we thwarted a number of attacks, that means that the level should be lowered right? Every hear the old adage that if you see 2 cock roaches, you probably have 1,000 that you can't see? Hey, they arrest thousands of burglars a year, I guess it's safe to leave our houses unlocked... I don't claim to understand exactly what is entailed with the threat level but if I'm not mistaken, the different levels come with different levels of readiness by the military, police, fire, airport security, etc like the DEFCON system, don't they? I don't think that it is JUST a catch phrase that they wave in front of the public.

[Homeslice]

Originally Posted by goof2

I think that the general threat level should be "Guarded" while airports should be "Elevated" but either way with the attacks carried out on mass transit throughout the world over the last 5 years it should be higher than the general level. The fact is that America doesn't have the manpower to cover all mass transit with the security it deserves, hence only airports having a raised level. By your "2-3 successful attacks" logic should thwarted attacks drive the threat level lower? Last month charges were filed in 5 separate terror plots in one week. Is the threat of terrorism really gone? Where do you think the threat level should be?

I think airports have more than enough secuirty, so there is no need for a "raised level" of threat. If terrorists wanted to do some real damage, they would simply barracade a church or school and take out 200 people. That's a lot simpler than organizing a hijacking. 10 years ago they identified a weak point in our security, they took advantage of it, and now that we've raised the security of aviation, any intelligent terrorist would investigate other options.

And my whole point is, if you're going to have a "threat level", it needs to change once in awhile, or else people ignore it. If you have one of those coolant temperature gauges or voltmeters that stays in one spot all the time, do you ever pay attention to it?

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

Hard work isn't the issue. Appreciation for what they're doing isn't the issue. The issue is how much time & convenience we're willing to give up in exchange for security. If you think anything is justified, then why aren't you advocating that the airline industry totally shut down? After all, that would prevent hijackings, wouldn't it? But no, I'm guessing you still want the airlines to work.......Which proves that you agree that there's a middle ground between security and freedom. So the only question is, where is that middle ground, and where is the threat.

There is so much else in the way of terrorism that could be done in this country if they wanted to, much more easily than hijacking a plane. They could introduce poisons into our food or water, they could barricade a theater and burn it down, they could take out a bridge or some train tracks, hell a couple of the forest fires out west were considered arson, maybe they'll get that idea soon.

Keeping the threat level at orange all the time is like building a car with an oil pressure gauge that stays in one spot all the time.......It's aggravating, and somewhat insulting. If people keep hearing the same thing all the time, don't you think they will ignore it?

Um you are the one that called Homeland Security "ghey" are you not? That shows a complete disrespect for their work and total a unappreciative attitude for their sacrifice. So what the fuck do you think they should do? Artificially change the level just to make it different? What if the oil pressure IS the same? What if the threat level IS the same? What if the there actually is a method to the threat levels? Do you really think they just make this shit up? Hell, maybe there isn't any threat at all, maybe the gov't is just making all this up. I don't know you personally and I'd hate to ASSume but at this point, I honestly doubt that you have shed any blood for this country and that you have probably never lost anyone you love to this struggle. Enjoy your life and freedom while you have it. If people like you have your way, it won't last long.

[askmrjesus]

Originally Posted by TIGGER

Do you really think they just make this shit up?

Of course they do.

Orange is "safe" mode for Homeland Security. It means "we could be hit by a terror attack at any moment, but don't worry, we're on it."

If they stayed at red and nothing happened, people would be pissed. If they stayed at yellow, and something happened, people would be even more pissed.

The entire system exists to inform the people who are the least prepared to do anything about it.

Us.

JC