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

[goof2]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

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?

As I said, all mass transit should have a higher level. Terrorists have demonstrated they like transit as a target in London and Spain. If you think the security in airports is too stringent where would you recommend cuts be made?

Part of what the threat level is supposed to accomplish is to have people pay attention everywhere, not just airports. Yes, airports are listed higher but people are supposed to be aware in their daily lives. As you mention above an attack can happen anywhere. As I mentioned there were charges filed over 5 separate terror plots in one week last month. There are people who want to attack us right now. The government can stop some of them, but the public needs to play a part as well. The fact that the average American cannot be bothered to pay attention to anything more than 5 feet in front of their face isn't a failure of the system, it is a failure of the average American.

Yes, none of the gauges in a modern car move but I still pay attention to them. The reason is they only move when there is a problem. I like having the gauges so I know if a problem is developing. Some stupid light or buzzer only tells me after a problem has happened. Just because modern cars are very reliable doesn't mean I no longer need to know anything about it. Having a temp gauge helps me a lot more than a overheat light if I throw the serpentine belt or the thermostat stops working.