Government Considers Raising Threat Level (AP - Breaking)

[VolcanoJen]

From this article, it seems that New York and Washington are both officially going to "orange," it even looks like Ridge might be poised to put the whole nation on alert.

Ridge will give a press conference this afternoon.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040801/ap_on_re_us/terror_threat

The government is considering raising the threat level in Washington and New York City and for financial companies, a Homeland Security Department official said Sunday.

Secretary Tom Ridge planned to discuss the alert status at an afternoon news conference at department headquarters. It was not immediately known what intelligence was leading the government to consider such action.

New York's status has remained at orange, indicating a high risk of terrorist attack, since Sept. 11, 2001. While the city could fall under a new heightened alert, no change to red — severe risk, the highest level — was anticipated, said the Homeland Security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Washington and elsewhere are on yellow, or elevated status of risk; that is in the middle of the five-color scale.

[Demeter]

1. Well, Gee, Now That You've Got My Attention

What's on Channel 4?

[Rose Siding]

2. They are selling this awfully hard

With megaphones like CNN they can take the nation's attention anywhere they want it to go.

[olddem43]

3. Yellow is the predominate color for this administration.

[colonel odis]

28. ooooooooh. good one. n/t

[Eurobabe]

4. Insert fingers in ears....

[VolcanoJen]

6. lmao

By the way, have you that GOP Pollster Frank Luntz is trying way too hard to look like Eddie Izzard lately? It's probably just me...

Thanks for my new PC wallpaper, crozet4clark!

[VolcanoJen]

5. Here's Reuter's version of the story (via CNN)

News conference is planned for 2:00 pm edt. Just Washington and New York? Didn't they issue a general terror alert for the west coast a few days ago?

http://wireservice.wired.com/wired/story.asp?section=Breaking&storyId=901771

U.S. security alert level in Washington will be raised to 'high' from 'elevated,' CNN reported on Sunday.

The raising of the alert level in the U.S. capital will be announced shortly by Department of Homeland Security chief Tom Ridge, the network said.

The Homeland Security Department said it could not confirm the CNN report but said a news conference was planned for 2 p.m.

The report came as top federal and local law enforcement officials met in New York over the weekend to discuss new intelligence about a possible al Qaeda attack against major corporations or high-profile buildings in Manhattan.

[Joylaughter]

7. NY could go to RED

Just saw it on FAUX.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. National mood ring goes from yellow to orange

time to be afraid of my shadow... yep there is my shadow, right where I left it

:-)


Something is teilling me that it will be at Red in November.

Ah the sound of jack booted thugs....

[Joylaughter]

9. Here come old Flat Top

He come grooving up slowly
He got Joo Joo eyeballs...

[Lorien]

10. Yawn

I have a thousand times greater chance of being killed by some RW moron in an SUV when I head up to Costco today than I do being a victim of "terra'ists". How come people in other parts of the world who actually HAVE frequent attacks aren't such a bunch of bedwetting pussies?

[2Design]

15. ROFL

[skip fox]

11. This one sounds real.

Hate to say it for a number of reasons, but . . . (Well, there's no real advantage for the Republicans to push this at this time.)

[Joylaughter]

12. Full Moon Last Night

AND Tonight. Bad Moon Rising?

[VolcanoJen]

14. Seems to me this is based upon the captured female... Curveball 2?

Each of the articles about the terror threat mention the capture of this woman last week... are we to believe the information about imminent threats is coming from her?

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/08/01/national1245EDT0485.DTL

A woman with a South African passport was arrested near the U.S.-Mexico border last week when she tried to board a flight to New York with about $7,000 in cash. Officials told The Associated Press they were investigating whether Farida Goolam Mohamed Ahmed, 48, had ties to al-Qaida or other terrorist groups.

According to court documents, Ahmed, 48, provided a South African passport that was missing four pages. ABC reported that she was of Pakistani origin.

According to flight itineraries, Ahmed traveled from Johannesburg through Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to London and on to Mexico City. Authorities said she later told them she was smuggled into the United States from Mexico by crossing the Rio Grande.

[DoYouEverWonder]

19. Show me the proof?

Otherwise this alert should be classified has political bullshit.

Bu$h needed to knock Kerry off the front page. The alert is right on schedule. Plus they need an excuse to tell the protesters not to come to NYC.

If the alert is that serious then they should cancel the convention and Bu$h should stop campaigning.

[saracat]

27. Whaaaaat?

Sounds is the operative word. Fear is ALWAYS to their advantage!

[truthisfreedom]

13. it only sounds real because they're doing it ahead of the rethuglican con-

vention. if they would have tried it last week, the Democratic Party and it's fine supporters would have all screamed foul and it would have made them look bad. they're using fear again... it's the fear card, and it's all they have. when we get these madmen out, the fear will go with them.

[ailsagirl]

16. Keeping us frightened

That's what they're trying to do-- frighten us. Don't believe for a minute the administration isn't trying its best to manipulate us. Though that's not to say that something isn't brewing but-- what can we do about it? I spoke to a friend last night and she told me she's going to "stay and fight." (However persuasive a move to another country may sound.)

I don't know who is "responsible" (a strange word in this context) for the wholesale slaughter on 9/11, but at this point in the game, nothing would surprise me.

Is this administration threatening us? That, unless we become meek, subservient little sheep, they'll kill more of us??

It's evil, folks, it really is.

Keep the faith.

[acmavm]

17. You're right , fear is the only thing this administration has. And your

remark "Though that's not to say that something isn't brewing but--" is also right, there probably is something brewing. There will be something brewing, from now until hell freezes over because of bush*'s foray into Iraq. He openend Pandora's box. Not out of curiousity though, but because of greed, a corrupt agenda, and ignorance.

[ailsagirl]

18. For what it's worth...

Living in constant fear and constant hope
By Meria Heller Online Journal Contributing Writer

July 20, 2004—For the better part of four years the United States
of America has been conditioned to expect fear. Not just any
small fear, but fear of total devastation and destruction. This
"fear" has become contagious as it spreads throughout the planet.

If one were to look at the history of humankind, they will
realize that terrorism, war and murder have been a constant. Much
worse events have taken place than the attacks on New York and
Washington on September 11, 2001, yet did not start World War
III, nor suppress collective human rights.

Yet, in an effort to create mass confusion and panic to cover up
an illegal government, a stolen election, dropping poll numbers,
a sour economy, 9/11 was used to finish up and cover up old
alliances, friendships, business dealings and hatreds between the
fat cats on all sides of the ocean. Instead of comforting the
people of the United States of America, Mr. Bush enraged them.
Mr. Bush egged them on to retaliate.

While the world offered its sympathy, the warlords offered
revenge. As is always the case, the overworked, under-read
American public fell for the lies connecting Saddam Hussein to
the incident of 9/11. Afghanistan was blamed for it. Then Iraq.
Will Iran be next? After all there is now an "axis of evil"
created like a ghost figure under your bed, to keep you living in
constant fear.

The flip side of the psychological operation on Americans is
constant hope. The lies and distortions we are told on a daily
basis about how much safer we are, how much better the economy
is, and of course, how good outsourcing is for America.

Too many Americans fear imprisonment, as they should. Our prison
population is higher now than ever before for minor offenses such
as drug abuse. Yet, the big time criminals have no fear, because
the Corporate Government and Corporate Constitution will protect
them. Not much of a chance of them getting any serious prison
time for breaking our country, for stealing pensions, for lying
and cheating the American public out of billions of dollars. They
don't have any fear. They own the candidates, the Congress and
huge chunks of the corporations that are all traitors to the
United States and its citizens.

We have a treasure called America. It is a beautiful country. It
is a rich country. It is abundant in natural beauty and
resources. The people of America are hardworking, good and mostly
fair-minded people. Look in your own neighborhood. How much care
your neighbors and yourself put into the beauty all around you.
How natural it is to stop and help a stranger in distress. The
joy of being happy for a stranger meeting a loved one at an
airport. The people who help others in need. Smiling at a
beautiful baby. Sharing a good laugh or cry in a movie theatre
with your neighbors.

Yet, our media tell us to be afraid of each other. Fear someone
that's different. Fear someone of a different color or sexual
persuasion. Fear someone who may have an Arab sounding name. Why?
Because fear is about control. In order for people to think they
need a government or policing they must have fear. Without it,
there would only be love and that isn't a good thing for those
who truly hate life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for
all. Not just a select few. Not just for rich white men who hide
behind large fences and walls. When we realize we have nothing to
fear except those who mean to control us, we will then be free.
Not a moment before.

How does a country with so much to give to the planet end up with
such rotten, lazy, inept leaders? Men who are so far removed from
"real life" they can't relate to the average person's life on any
level? How do these men get chosen to "lead?" They have led us
down a very dangerous, dark path. Yet, many people live in the
"hope" that one of them will be their new hero and savior.

Why have we settled for people that we did not choose to run for
our leader? Who indeed does pick these candidates? Surely not
you and I. In the book "David" by William Hoffman, it is
abundantly clear that we have not had a president in the United
States that didn't have to meet privately with a retired banker
before getting the nomination. Yes, a banker. David Rockefeller.

Without the "blessing" of the Council on Foreign Relations,
Trilateral Commission, G8, Bilderberg, a candidate doesn't stand
a chance. These people pick the candidate of both parties. To
them it's a matter of "which one will wear the suit." They know
and have known for a long time that it is they, the Secret
Government behind the government that runs things (as Bill Moyers
exposed years ago), and places the Democrat/Republican
figureheads in office. Their agenda is always foremost.
Globalization, the new word for New World Order (George HW Bush's
phrase) or the One World Order. If their idea is order, I'll take
chaos instead.

Now with all the fear being thrown around by the attack on three
buildings in America, people are rushing to stockpile antidotes
for biochemical diseases (made in the U.S.A., perhaps the only
thing left that is); put microchips in their kids, pets, arms,
clothes, cars; spy on their neighbors; give up their god given
rights; give up their rights under the Bill of Rights and the
Constitution; allow themselves to be caged at protests; avoid
venturing outdoors on high alert days (more fear) and not
speaking their dissatisfaction. All because of fear. Thanks to
the corporate media for a wonderful job of constantly reinforcing
fear all day long on radio, television, newspapers and
billboards.

If average Americans didn't have to work constantly in order to
exist, perhaps they would have the time to educate themselves
about our country, its laws, and how its all supposed to work.
They would know that we have a right to a new government, granted
us by our forefathers, when the present government no longer
serves the people. When's the last time the government did
anything good for the people? I'm not speaking of CEOs or
corporations or their cronies—I mean you and me? Aside from
taxing us to death, sending our children off to fight their
imperial/personal wars; cutting benefits to those in need whether
they be elderly, children or our veterans? Must I continue?

How does one get rid of fear and control? First you must get to
the point where you realize you've been lied to pretty much your
whole life. You must educate yourself as to the foreign policy of
America for over 50 years, of which we've been told very little
truth. Ten million people killed in peacetime covert actions by
the U.S. since the cold war ended. Coups and attempted coups in
foreign lands. Plundering other nations resources with a sense of
entitlement.

Read "Rogue Nation" by William Blum. Demand candidates, not a
fair vote. There is no such thing as a fair vote, and probably
hasn't been since the '50s. Read Charles Lewis' book "The Buying
of the Presidency 2004" for an eye opening experience.

Everyone is "hoping" for a receipt for their vote in 2004. Hoping
for an honest count. Hoping for supervisors to observe the
election. Hoping to get back on the voter rolls. Hoping for
people to come out and vote. An effort in futility, because we
cannot hope for a people's candidate. As the Collier brothers
wrote in their book "Votescam," "We can't vote the bastards out,
because we didn't vote them in." I would go further and say we
didn't nominate or select them, either. It's all been a charade
for so very long.

Now we hear talk of possible cancellation of the election in 2004
due to a "terrorist" act. The terrorist act already happened
openly, it was the stolen election of 2000 and the reign of
terror that has ensued every day since. Imagine if we the people
cancelled the election? If we just said "none of the above." If
no one showed up and voted. Vote tossed for lack of interest. I
can feel you squirm with that sentence, there's that fear again.
What's the worse that could happen? The two Yalie cousins would
have to duke it out? Co-rule over the peasants? Or worse, face
the people as they throw them out and say, "We want our party"?

I've got a real fear for you. If we don't rise and say "no more"
this war will continue. The war will escalate. Many have already
called Iraq the beginning of World War III. Our country will face
more devastating attacks from within and without. Millions more
will die.

While the wars are going on, water is getting poisoned. Food
isn't being produced. The air is becoming dangerous. The climate
is upset. The Earth is shaking. The depleted uranium of Iraq has
seeped into Israel's water (not that they will admit that).
Radioactive waste is going to be dumped close to 160 cities in
the United States alone and will remain radioactive for
millennia.

Our rights are going out the window. What you read and the books
you buy are no longer private knowledge. Your home is no longer a
"police free" zone. You can be held without charge as a suspected
terrorist, although a citizen of the United States, indefinitely.
Our country will become one with Canada, Latin America and Mexico
in the American Union slated for 2005. Gone will be all we love
about America. Our sovereignty like the sovereignty of the
European Union countries will be gone as will our constitution.

The microchipping of the work force humans has already begun in
Japan, Mexico and some third World countries. Fear sells. Think
of Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World" or George Orwell's "1984"
because we are there. It's no longer a future far away or
fiction, it is real.

If you want hope, real hope, then put faith in yourself. Put your
faith and trust in the god given rights for all people on this
Earth. Put your faith and hope in the Superpower of Peace that
has become a permanent fixture on this planet, due to the
warmongering of the current administration. Put your faith and
hope in your neighbors, your family, your local leaders and let
it spread outward into the rest of the world. Let go of the fear,
and get out there and do something. Print a flyer. Hand out
information. Share books. Read a book. Give a speech locally.
Write your local representatives who are still available and
interested in "we the people." Form a think tank group. Form a
plan of action. Save resources. Think of the other person. Share
and spread smiles and love. Send help to those in need overseas.
Pray for an end to killing on all levels. Petition your "leaders"
to stand for peace. Remind them what America is supposed to stand
for and tell them you won't stand for anything less. Always think
globally and act locally. Support your local grocer/farmstand.
Support independent shops, restaurants, newspapers, news sites.
Cancel your pay television and tell them why. Cancel your
subscriptions and tell them why. Put your money in local banks
and let the multi-nationals know why you're leaving them. As Bev
Conover of Online Journal and I would agree "starve a corporation
and feed democracy." You want to vote? Then vote with your
dollars, it's the only real vote we have. Know where your money
is going and what exactly it's supporting. Say no to war. Say no
to the draft. Say no to bad leadership. Demand accountability.

Once you let go of fear it gives others hope. Never give up. This
world belongs to all of us, not just a select elite few. It's
time to stand with the rest of the world and insist on life,
liberty, happiness, and real freedom from fear for everyone.

Copyright © 2004 Meria Heller

[bpilgrim]

20. very powerful

thanks for sharing that :toast:

some real world images the media doesn't want to share but our soldiers do.

http://war.digitalmagicnh.com

psst... pass the word ;->

1984.pdf

peace

[0007]

23. That sums it up about as well as it could be.

The folks are being educated every day now like never before. Folks are leary of the government and afraid of not knowing what's next.

[goforit]

21. Hmmmm.....Why would anyone choose to attack NY w/ the GOPs Conv.

It just boggles my mind.

[bpilgrim]

22. CODE PINK

http://news.globalfreepress.com/mp3/PEACE/code_pink.mp3

peace

[Minstrel Boy]

24. "Bush and bin Laden - you think they're foes?

They're in business together - Daddy Bush knows.
The Carlyle Group, since years before,
Been raking in billions, and itching for more."

Great song, and truth as clear as bloody crystal.

[Bob3]

25. I work right next to ground zero

and I live by the Tri-borough bridge in my beautiful NY City. I'll know tomorrow if this is gibberish or not. If they are serious they'll have National guardsmen with M-16's by the entrance to bridge.

By the way I must say there is no way a car bomb gets near the NYSE. they got barricades, they got dogs they got guys with big guns.

This sounds like BS to me.

Peace out.

[daleo]

26. Expect fear from now til November

Micheal Moore is right about the way these guys operate.

[Papa]

29. My hunch is that they are whipping things up for their convention

It will have more impact for them when they talk about terrorism and freedom and what's at stake. I would not be suprised if it does go to red just before the convention which would serve to stop any public demonstrations.