The U.S. House of Representatives voted to replace the color-coded warning system used to alert the public to terrorist threats with a program that offers specific information about risks and suggested actions.
The change, passed 424-4 today as part of a bill authorizing the Homeland Security Department’s programs for next year, would require “regional and economic sector-specific warnings” and information on protective measures that should be taken.
“The color-coded system does not work well and has undermined the department’s credibility,” said Patrick Kennedy, a Rhode Island Democrat. “What we have now is a system that tells us to be scared. That’s it.”
More here. In other news, duct tape and plastic sheeting won’t help much in the event of a terrorist strike.
pfrets
Number of days, since introduction of the color system, spent at terror level green: 0
’nuff said
Steven
Bill Maher got a great line from Norm Coleman on the terror alerts (transcript follows):
MAHER: Okay. [laughter] Well, you know, speaking of the election, during the election, you know, it seemed to strike a lot of people that there was an inordinate amount of terror alerts, especially when John Kerry started to do well or get in the news. And this week, Tom Ridge , our former Homeland Security Director, was out there saying,
bg
This gives me hope. Perhaps slowly but surely the country will excise the absurdities 9/11 spawned. The color coded alert system was probably the most ridiculous.
caleb
Great…now what am I suposed to do with all this duct tape?
Stormy70
I guess I’ll have to find the nearest serial killer and give him my duct tape and plastic sheeting.