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Terror Alert: Orange (sort of) · Aug 1, 02:35 PM
Just caught Tom Ridge earning some of that 175 grand / year he gets: a Sunday afternoon press conference to raise the alert color to orange—except only in NYC & DC. Pardon my abject cynicism, but this change in status is driven by nothing but political strategy. Let’s see, how can we get the Kerry-Edwards ticket off the front page in the week following their convention? Let’s see, how can we get Bush on TV in the run-up to his convention? Let’s see, how can we remind everybody that they are supposed to be afraid? Hey, I know, let’s send Ridge out there to raise the alert status to orange (sort of). Well, Mr. Rove, a very great president once said, “You can fool some of the people some of the time . . .” But I don’t think many are going to be taken in by this shameless piece of politicking.
Prediction: In the week before the Republican Convention, the FBI will pick up half a dozen Middle Eastern men—Syrian musicians, maybe—& announce that they have broken up a terror cell that was going to bomb Wall Street.
Later: If this was not a political act, why include the following paragraph? [Full text here.]
This kind of information is the result of the President’s leadership in the war against terror. The reports that have led to this alert are the result of offensive intelligence and military operations overseas, as well as strong partnerships with our allies around the world, such as Pakistan. Such operations and partnerships give us insight into the enemy so we can better target our defensive measures here and away from home.
Surely, a real threat would be sobering enough that the inclusion of partisan cheerleading would be not only unnecessary, but offensive.
Update: The Times is reporting this morning that, essentially, the alert was a political trick. I’m sure Bltizer & Woodruff & the rest of the dispensers of Conventional Wisdom who dissed Howard Dean for raising this possibility will be rushing to the microphones this morning to issue corrections.
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