Flutterby™! : Imminently Elevated

Next unread comment / Catchup all unread comments User Account Info | Logout | XML/Pilot/etc versions | Long version (with comments) | Weblog archives | Site Map | | Browse Topics

Imminently Elevated

2011-04-20 20:32:51.124404+00 by Dan Lyke 6 comments

The new DHS National Terrorism Advisory System has been released, which replaces the old goofy color coded terror alert system.

The new system has two threat levels, "Imminent Threat Alert", which is reserved for the weeks immediately preceding an election, and "Elevated Threat Alert", which I think has something to do with the way they used to run urban light rail.

As Lyn pointed out: "Elevated compared to WHAT? If it's *always* elevated, doesn't that mean: 'normal threat'?" and John replied: "THIS ONE GOES TO 11!".

Some day I hope I can speak freely about some of the government idiocies I've seen recently. Let's just say that ya know how I've kinda swung away from my rabid Libertarianism that I once held? Yeah, I still think the Tea Partiers are generally unintelligent dupes of the Koch brothers, but damn there's some constructive thumping that could be done by way of a suitably sized clue stick.

[ related topics: Interactive Drama John S Jacobs-Anderson Photography Invention and Design moron Trains Douglas Adams ]

comments in descending chronological order (reverse):

#Comment Re: made: 2011-04-21 12:15:09.37891+00 by: m

"suitably sized clue stick" == lever Archimedes needed to move the world

#Comment Re: made: 2011-04-21 07:58:53.557272+00 by: meuon

I'll believe they will let an alert status expire (without issuing a new one) when the PA system in the airport is not announcing one on a trip.

#Comment Re: made: 2011-04-20 23:18:14.729051+00 by: Dan Lyke

Yeah, there are actually 3 levels: no alert (the default status), and then the "alert" state has "Elevated" and "Election Imminent"

#Comment Re: made: 2011-04-20 23:12:28.778055+00 by: Jeff Cuscutis

Having read the DHS page, it doesn't seem quite so dumb having only two levels. An alert has an expiration date, and that implies that quite often, there will be no alert. So when there is an issue, the Heightened alert goes out and if there is an imminent threat, we get the Imminent Threat alert.

#Comment Re: made: 2011-04-20 22:53:07.708217+00 by: meuon [edit history]

While I saw "sunset provision"... I really wish they would add too more levels:

Because we know they both exist, I'd just like to see if offically.

#Comment Re: made: 2011-04-20 21:33:46.657813+00 by: Jim S

Darn it! I never even got to wear my green or blue t-shirts. Wore out a bunch of yellow and orange though.