WASHINGTON, April 16 — With the war in Iraq (news - web sites) seemingly near an end, the Bush administration lowered the official terrorism threat level today.
*** Let me interpret this for you readers out there ***
Now that the we the government have scared everyone to death so that you, the dumb american public would support the U.S. 'phony war on terrorism', we have lowered the threat level to make you believe the war had a positive effect on reducing terrorism- and that this war was not really based on getting IRAQs oil, getting a foothold in the middle-east for more control, and giving out lush government contracts to our business buddies in the private sector. We dont really care about democracy, but we tell you that we are. In fact we just bombed the shit out of a pro-democratic Iranian military opposition group in Iraq during the last few days, as a way to say thank you to Iran for not getting involved our war with Iraq.
Get it now ?
-------------------------------------------
WASHINGTON, April 16 — With the war in Iraq (news - web sites) seemingly near an end, the Bush administration lowered the official terrorism threat level today.
Top administration aides said the decision to reduce the perceived threat to yellow from orange was based on several factors. They include the military progress in Iraq and assessments by intelligence analysts that "chatter" in terrorist circles has subsided.
Nevertheless, in announcing the lower threat level, the secretary of homeland security, Tom Ridge, warned against complacency.
"We must be vigilant and alert to the possibility that Al Qaeda and those sympathetic to their cause, as well as former Iraqi-regime state agents and affiliated organizations, may attempt to conduct attacks against the United States or our interests abroad," Mr. Ridge said.
The United States has been on an orange-alert status, signifying a "high" risk of attack, since March 17, three days before the start of the campaign in Iraq. And New York City, where 2,800 people were killed in the destruction of the World Trade Center, will continue to adhere to an orange-alert status. The top level, red for "severe" risk, is one notch above orange.
When the national orange level was announced last month, administration officials said they believed the threat of domestic terrorism was as serious as at any time since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
"The intelligence community believes that terrorists will attempt multiple attacks against U.S. and coalition targets worldwide in the event of a U.S.-led military campaign against Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)," Mr. Ridge said on March 17. "There are many recent indications that Al Qaeda's planning includes the use of chemical, biological and/or radiological materials."
But those attacks never materialized, prompting the administration to lower the level to yellow, meaning an "elevated" risk.
"While we continue to be at risk to the threat of terrorism at an elevated level, extensive protective measures remain in place throughout our nation," Mr. Ridge said today. Just last week, he warned that the threat of missile attacks on passenger airliners was so serious that the government might have to consider paying for the installation of antimissile devices on the fleets of commercial airlines in the United States.
The five-color alert system devised by Mr. Ridge has been the object of jokes by comedians on late-night television. The only colors used so far have been orange and yellow. Beside them and red, there is blue, for a "guarded" risk, and green, to signify a "low" risk.
The administration has argued that the extra security and general air of caution instilled by the color-alert system may have prevented attacks — in other words, winning victories that will remain unknown.
"The signal we have sent our enemies over the past few weeks has been clear," Mr. Ridge said. "We will continue to resolutely defend our nation and its freedom."
In warning Americans to be alert to suspicious activity around airports, train stations, bridges, tunnels, reservoirs and other public installations, the administration has been walking a tightrope. It wants Americans to be watchful but not panicky.
That may be one reason the threat was lowered to yellow today. Had it remained at orange, and had intelligence analysts picked up significantly more "chatter," the administration would have had to consider raising the level to red.
On the other hand, the threat level is not expected to drop to blue or green anytime soon.
