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Color-Coded Terrorism Alerts Fade to Black
Jay Leno has suggested that DHS should include plaid into its color scheme, for at least that would tell us that our country is under attack by Scotland.
Dec 22, 2010
Okay, boys and girls, pull out your crayons, and let's see if you can do a better job of coloring than the Department of Homeland Security.
At long last, the obvious has dawned on our national security czars. Since March 12, 2002, back in the Bush-Cheney regime, the chief connection that We the Masses have had to America's massive and secretive homeland protection program has been five colors: green, blue, yellow, orange, and red. That's been the full extent of our nation's terrorism alert system, which supposedly tells us how afraid to be at any given moment.
Finally, though, top DHS officials have conceded what the rest of us have known for years: Their color-coded warning scheme is a kindergarten-level joke that communicates nothing and protects no one.
Since 2006, the color hasn't changed: orange. Every day, in every airport, the orange "threat level" is announced in a doomsday voice every five minutes or so. It's useless information, so everyone tunes it out. Jay Leno has suggested that DHS should include plaid into its color scheme, for at least that would tell us that our country is under attack by Scotland.
So, DHS is giving up on its color code and is presently seeking a new public warning system that "provides specific, actionable information based on the latest intelligence." Intelligence? These are the people who missed clear clues about the 9/11 crash bombers, the shoe bomber, and the underwear bomber. So let's not count on their intelligence.
How about a series of sounds ranging from a ho-hum, not-to-worry sigh to a terrifying shriek of imminent doom? Or maybe just tell us when something bad is really about to happen--perhaps by shouting a blunt but useful message like, "Bend over and kiss your butt goodbye!" At least people would pay attention to that.
An Unconstitutional Rampage
Trump and Musk are on an unconstitutional rampage, aiming for virtually every corner of the federal government. These two right-wing billionaires are targeting nurses, scientists, teachers, daycare providers, judges, veterans, air traffic controllers, and nuclear safety inspectors. No one is safe. The food stamps program, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are next. It’s an unprecedented disaster and a five-alarm fire, but there will be a reckoning. The people did not vote for this. The American people do not want this dystopian hellscape that hides behind claims of “efficiency.” Still, in reality, it is all a giveaway to corporate interests and the libertarian dreams of far-right oligarchs like Musk. Common Dreams is playing a vital role by reporting day and night on this orgy of corruption and greed, as well as what everyday people can do to organize and fight back. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover issues the corporate media never will, but we can only continue with our readers’ support. |
This column was distributed by OtherWords.
Jim Hightower
Jim Hightower is a national radio commentator, writer, public speaker, and author of the books "Swim Against The Current: Even A Dead Fish Can Go With The Flow" (2008) and "There's Nothing in the Middle of the Road But Yellow Stripes and Dead Armadillos: A Work of Political Subversion" (1998). Hightower has spent three decades battling the Powers That Be on behalf of the Powers That Ought To Be - consumers, working families, environmentalists, small businesses, and just-plain-folks.
Okay, boys and girls, pull out your crayons, and let's see if you can do a better job of coloring than the Department of Homeland Security.
At long last, the obvious has dawned on our national security czars. Since March 12, 2002, back in the Bush-Cheney regime, the chief connection that We the Masses have had to America's massive and secretive homeland protection program has been five colors: green, blue, yellow, orange, and red. That's been the full extent of our nation's terrorism alert system, which supposedly tells us how afraid to be at any given moment.
Finally, though, top DHS officials have conceded what the rest of us have known for years: Their color-coded warning scheme is a kindergarten-level joke that communicates nothing and protects no one.
Since 2006, the color hasn't changed: orange. Every day, in every airport, the orange "threat level" is announced in a doomsday voice every five minutes or so. It's useless information, so everyone tunes it out. Jay Leno has suggested that DHS should include plaid into its color scheme, for at least that would tell us that our country is under attack by Scotland.
So, DHS is giving up on its color code and is presently seeking a new public warning system that "provides specific, actionable information based on the latest intelligence." Intelligence? These are the people who missed clear clues about the 9/11 crash bombers, the shoe bomber, and the underwear bomber. So let's not count on their intelligence.
How about a series of sounds ranging from a ho-hum, not-to-worry sigh to a terrifying shriek of imminent doom? Or maybe just tell us when something bad is really about to happen--perhaps by shouting a blunt but useful message like, "Bend over and kiss your butt goodbye!" At least people would pay attention to that.
Jim Hightower
Jim Hightower is a national radio commentator, writer, public speaker, and author of the books "Swim Against The Current: Even A Dead Fish Can Go With The Flow" (2008) and "There's Nothing in the Middle of the Road But Yellow Stripes and Dead Armadillos: A Work of Political Subversion" (1998). Hightower has spent three decades battling the Powers That Be on behalf of the Powers That Ought To Be - consumers, working families, environmentalists, small businesses, and just-plain-folks.
Okay, boys and girls, pull out your crayons, and let's see if you can do a better job of coloring than the Department of Homeland Security.
At long last, the obvious has dawned on our national security czars. Since March 12, 2002, back in the Bush-Cheney regime, the chief connection that We the Masses have had to America's massive and secretive homeland protection program has been five colors: green, blue, yellow, orange, and red. That's been the full extent of our nation's terrorism alert system, which supposedly tells us how afraid to be at any given moment.
Finally, though, top DHS officials have conceded what the rest of us have known for years: Their color-coded warning scheme is a kindergarten-level joke that communicates nothing and protects no one.
Since 2006, the color hasn't changed: orange. Every day, in every airport, the orange "threat level" is announced in a doomsday voice every five minutes or so. It's useless information, so everyone tunes it out. Jay Leno has suggested that DHS should include plaid into its color scheme, for at least that would tell us that our country is under attack by Scotland.
So, DHS is giving up on its color code and is presently seeking a new public warning system that "provides specific, actionable information based on the latest intelligence." Intelligence? These are the people who missed clear clues about the 9/11 crash bombers, the shoe bomber, and the underwear bomber. So let's not count on their intelligence.
How about a series of sounds ranging from a ho-hum, not-to-worry sigh to a terrifying shriek of imminent doom? Or maybe just tell us when something bad is really about to happen--perhaps by shouting a blunt but useful message like, "Bend over and kiss your butt goodbye!" At least people would pay attention to that.
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