no shit?

[strangeanimal]

Worldwide chatter prompted the State Department on Wednesday to issue a new worldwide warning that cautions Americans to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings.

so in other words, unless specifically instructed, be oblivious of what's going on around you.

do people *really* still need to be told at this point? are people going to put down their remotes and pick up their binoculars en masse to keep an eye out because they changed the light bulb from yellow to orange?

Comments

[kadenza.livejournal.com]

I know, it sounds kind of stupid. Also, I didn't know there was such a thing as an orange alert. Is there another step before red, or is that it?

Re:

[strangeanimal.livejournal.com]

the levels are, in order: Green (Low), Blue (Guarded), Yellow (Elevated), Orange (High), Red (Severe).

I'm holding out until they get a color scheme that doesn't clash. ;)

Re:

[strangeanimal.livejournal.com]

my issue is that the warnings are just so incredibly vague, that I think they do little to actually have Americans pay much attention to them.

to say "you could be attacked anywhere, anytime" immediately followed by "don't cancel any plans, go about your normal lives"... it's a mixed message.

purple alert!

[b-spider.livejournal.com]

Indeed,...it should be noted that this multi-coloured alert system (with I think several shades at the red end of the spectrum) really only applies to the imminant threats that they know about. It's probably best not to dwell on all the other shit that the assorted authorities don't know about.

These unspecific warnings only serve to ratchet up the fear and uncertainty in the population so that when they finally do start their war against Iraq and whoever else, we can feel some sort of relief that "something" is being done. Justifed, proper, or proportionate to the threat is another question, but something.