Today's Article
The Bush
Administration only
mentions al-Qaeda
when it may benefit
from Americans'
fear of the group.
Administration only
mentions al-Qaeda
when it may benefit
from Americans'
fear of the group.
The American Spark
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Why Should U.S. Be Afraid By Homeland Security Chief's 'Gut
Feeling'?
By Cliff Montgomery - July 24th, 2007
House Homeland Security Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) made some reasonable comments in a letter
to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Michael Chertoff on July 11th about Chertoff's "gut
feelings".
The DHS secretary recently made headlines when he crowed about a "gut feeling" that terrorist group
al-Qaeda may somehow attack these shores over the summer. Chertoff made the statements to the editorial
board of The Chicago Tribune, even while admitting that there's no evidence of a serious threat.
"Words have power, Mr. Secretary," Thompson wrote in the stiffly-worded letter.
"You must choose them wisely--especially when they relate to the lives and security of the American public," he
added.
Thompson pointed out that "tens of billions of taxpayer dollars" have been spent to ensure that DHS has the
resources, communications and infrastructure needed to identify honest risks that will then be conveyed to the
appropriate state and local officials.
"What color code in the Homeland Security Advisory System is associated with a 'gut feeling?'" Thompson
questioned in his letter to Chertoff.
"What sectors should be on alert as a result of your 'gut feeling?' What cities should be asking their law
enforcement to work double shifts because of your 'gut feeling?' "
Thompson finished his query with a stinging reference to the much-ridiculed quip once blurted by America's
first Homeland Security secretary, Tom Ridge: "Are the American people supposed to purchase duct tape and
plastic sheeting because of your 'gut feeling?' "
Chertoff admitted to the Tribune that there is in fact no legitimate reason to raise the DHS color-coded "threat
advisory" system.
Thompson used that admission to urge Chertoff to follow proper procedure in advising Americans of actual
threats based on facts rather than feelings.
"Otherwise, we run the risk of communities taking it upon themselves to mobilize for every possible threat,"
Thompson wrote to Chertoff.
"This not only would result in communities depleting their scarce homeland security resources but runs contrary
to your efforts to move toward a risk-based approach to homeland security," Thompson added.
But perhaps America also needs a "poll advisory" system--one that tells us when George W. Bush is doing
quite poorly in the polls. The Bush Administration only seems to bring up the specter of al-Qaeda the moment it
may benefit from Americans' fear of the group.
Like what you're reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of the The American Spark
e-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be
delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!
Feeling'?
By Cliff Montgomery - July 24th, 2007
House Homeland Security Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) made some reasonable comments in a letter
to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Michael Chertoff on July 11th about Chertoff's "gut
feelings".
The DHS secretary recently made headlines when he crowed about a "gut feeling" that terrorist group
al-Qaeda may somehow attack these shores over the summer. Chertoff made the statements to the editorial
board of The Chicago Tribune, even while admitting that there's no evidence of a serious threat.
"Words have power, Mr. Secretary," Thompson wrote in the stiffly-worded letter.
"You must choose them wisely--especially when they relate to the lives and security of the American public," he
added.
Thompson pointed out that "tens of billions of taxpayer dollars" have been spent to ensure that DHS has the
resources, communications and infrastructure needed to identify honest risks that will then be conveyed to the
appropriate state and local officials.
"What color code in the Homeland Security Advisory System is associated with a 'gut feeling?'" Thompson
questioned in his letter to Chertoff.
"What sectors should be on alert as a result of your 'gut feeling?' What cities should be asking their law
enforcement to work double shifts because of your 'gut feeling?' "
Thompson finished his query with a stinging reference to the much-ridiculed quip once blurted by America's
first Homeland Security secretary, Tom Ridge: "Are the American people supposed to purchase duct tape and
plastic sheeting because of your 'gut feeling?' "
Chertoff admitted to the Tribune that there is in fact no legitimate reason to raise the DHS color-coded "threat
advisory" system.
Thompson used that admission to urge Chertoff to follow proper procedure in advising Americans of actual
threats based on facts rather than feelings.
"Otherwise, we run the risk of communities taking it upon themselves to mobilize for every possible threat,"
Thompson wrote to Chertoff.
"This not only would result in communities depleting their scarce homeland security resources but runs contrary
to your efforts to move toward a risk-based approach to homeland security," Thompson added.
But perhaps America also needs a "poll advisory" system--one that tells us when George W. Bush is doing
quite poorly in the polls. The Bush Administration only seems to bring up the specter of al-Qaeda the moment it
may benefit from Americans' fear of the group.
Like what you're reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of the The American Spark
e-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be
delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!