Jan. 20, 2006 — Security is being stepped up across the country today after the release of a new audiotape in which Osama bin Laden threatens to attack the U.S. homeland — though the government is not elevating the national alert level.

Osama bin Laden's latest tape, verified by the CIA, says more attacks are planned on U.S. soil.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan said it was a sign of weakness.

"We do not negotiate with terrorists," McClellan said. "We put them out of business."



Read more

 

I also heard it's Islamic tradition or something or another that dictates giving us one last opportunity to make peace before we're attacked.

 

And people wonder why we are in Iraq/Afghanistan.

 

I know that I have always wondered what a glass parking lot would look like..........

 

well Iraq isnt...oh nevermind I've tired of this debate.

 

Me too.

That would put an end to all this retarded BS.

BUT, at the same time, a lot of innocent people would loose their lives.

So, what's the best plan of action?

 

Nuke Em'

 

Oh, common vader. Your a man of great knowledge. Besides, I'm not trying to start a debate...wait, your right. It will end in a debate anyway, and the thread will get closed.

Your right. My bad.

 

Is there ever a "best" plan of action?

 

Yes, but, figuring it out is always the hard part.

 

well debate is great - the choice to go into Iraq had nothing to do with terrorism but what they hey

If we say it enough times and with enough conviction we'll all believe it right?

 

Of course not, November is too far away.

 

ahhh a fellow cynic...

Code Red - we need to take your civil liberties to protect you...we promise we'll give them back....promise.

 

Damn, you beat me to it.

 

I wouldn't say cynic. I'm just trying to predict the next time we go 'Orange' and this is not the time.

Former Homeland Security Tom Ridge said this about the threat levels:
Ridge ... said Department of Homeland Security staff had occasionally been forced to raise the threat level by the White House and other agencies. "Sometimes we disagreed with the intelligence assessment," Ridge said. "Sometimes we thought even if the intelligence was good, you don't necessarily put the country on [alert]. ... There were times when some people were really aggressive about raising it, and we said, 'For that?'"

The threat level has only been elevated 7 times,

Sep 10-24 2002 US Mid-term Elections
Feb 7-27 2003 Prior to Iraq invasion
Mar 17- Apr 16 2003 Coincides with US - Iraq invasion
May 20 - 30 2003 (May 2nd = the Public Relations blunder "Mission Accomplished")
Dec 21 2003 - Jan 9 2004 Holidays(?)
Aug 1 - Nov 10 2004 Close US election held on Nov 2 2004.
Jul 7 - Aug 12 2005 Bush approval ratings dip to new low

The data clearly indicates the Homeland Security Threat Level wouldn't be elevated until late September 06. Since these are mere mid-term elections, a threat Level Increase may pay the biggest dividends among the undecideds if it did not occur until the last week of October.

Wag the Dog, baby.