Crying wolf

Tom Ridge is in an impossible position. If he fails to notify we Americans with an appropriate colorful alert before a terrorist attack we will accuse him of failing to see it coming. If he covers his bottom by alerting us whenever the wind changes direction he will have the effect of insulating us to his dire warnings. If he further times every "The sky is falling" warning with a convenient political opportunity (i.e. day after Democratic convention) who will take him seriously at all?

This is the danger of crying wolf and I learned that in grade school. Could anything be worse than an American public jaded by too many warnings? Could anything be worse than an American public that cannot trust the Bush administration in matters of life and death?

Here, the BBC tells us that the recent spate of terror warnings was nothing more than old news:

US terror plot intelligence 'old'


Here, DEBKAfile's security experts provide a more detailed analysis of the terror warnings:

Skeptical about warnings

Here, the Washington Post says most of the information was gleaned pre 9/11:

Politics of fear?

The truth is, I think, that any terrorist worth his salt is good at pulling off surprises. The department of Homeland security would better serve the American people by insuring port security, chemical plant security, nuclear facility security, and the like. Also it should be heavy on resource coordination in the event of an emergency. If the shit hits the fan who needs to be on hand and how far away are they? Do we have enough resources prepositioned about the country? Do our state troopers know how to catch terrorists or what to look for?

The point in all of this that gets lost is, what good is saying, "There is a high probability you might die today, especially if you work on Wall Street, so please be extra vigilant, but please go to work." What the hell am I gonna do, frisk someone? Perhaps I could glare mistrustfully at strangers? Further, what sense does it make to say you are quite certain danger is coming to a certain location but to ask people not to avoid said danger? Isn't that the POINT of a terror warning? If not, what IS the point?

Tom Ridge your job is to instill confidence in the American people, not fear!