[Miss Marple]

I don't know about you, but I am getting really tired of people mocking Tom Ridge and Homeland Security. The threat level is being elevated because of reasonable precaution due to chatter indicating that Al Qaeda is planning on striking us here or in our outposts abroad.

I don't mind people calling it level Ernie. I do mind when people act like paying attention is foolish.

[Trust but Verify]

The poeple who are mocking Tom Ridge and HS are memebers of the Nuke Mecca and Medina Club. Their one-size-fits-all solutions are silly, but make great bumper stickers.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

" I don't know about you, but I am getting really tired of people mocking Tom Ridge and Homeland Security."

Add me to the list that doesn't find elevated terror chatter and threats- hilarious.Regardless of the messenger.

[RobFromGa]

I don't know about you, but I am getting really tired of people mocking Tom Ridge and Homeland Security.

I'm tired of it. And I don't like people calling it Elmo and Ernie, but if that is their way of dealing with a serious issue ok. If they are doing it to mock our security and make us appear weak, then it disgusts me.

This stuff is dead serious and I for one am sure that they would not want to raise the level if they didn't think that Security needed to be on higher guard than "normal".

They want us to do everything we planned to do, just keep an eye out for things abnormal. On the other hand, the police, etc have many more issues to deal with (I know, I've talked with them and procedures change). These levels are mainly directed at them. It sets out a clear expectation and can be communicated nationwide immediately. Everyone gets it and can react to it.

[eno_]

I do mind when people act like paying attention is foolish.

When we are admonished to "Be vigilent." without ANY specifics at all, that's just plain moronic, and "respecting" that is moronic by association. Anyone giving a "warning" as useless at that deserves all the mockery that can be brought to bear on them.

[Dave S]

I don't know about you, but I am getting really tired of people mocking Tom Ridge and Homeland Security. The threat level is being elevated because of reasonable precaution due to chatter indicating that Al Qaeda is planning on striking us here or in our outposts abroad.

The same bozo's mocking or complaining about Ridge and the threat level will also be the first ones to scream bloody murder if some terrorist attack does occur. You cant satisfy the eternally lamebrain.

[kinghorse]

The way the administration has crafted it's response to 9-11 makes you wonder how long they considered the scenario. They have played just about picture perfect using a complex combination of finesse and brute force. No question a terrorist could cause significant damage just about any time they choose. The fact that they haven't chosen is what is so facinating and encouraging. It says the policy works. It's too painful for the ruling power elite in the dark east if the USA general population calls for a head or 1 million in response to any attack. They are now doing their best to police up their nutwads in order to avoid the confrontation.