Be afraid, do nothing

If I were John Stewart, I would read this article aloud, stopping at strategic points to ask, "REALLY?"

"WASHINGTON - The Bush administration raised the terror alert a notch to code orange for the nation's mass transit systems on Thursday, responding to a spate of deadly rush-hour bus and subway bombings in London.
"Obviously we're concerned about the possibility of a copycat attack," said
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. The heightened alert will apply to "regional and inter-city passenger rail, subways and metropolitan bus systems," Chertoff said at a news conference.
Chertoff said that U.S. authorities have "no specific credible evidence" pointing toward an attack in the United States.

( It seems to me, we've decided to eliminate "specific credible evidence" as a basis for our terrorism alerts and security operations altogether)

At the same time, he said, "we are also asking for increased vigilance" particularly in the U.S. transportation system.
He stressed that authorities are not asking Americans to avoid using their subways and bus systems in the light of the worst attack in London since World War II. To the contrary, he said those who use mass transit should continue to do so."

-By LARA JAKES JORDAN, Associated Press Writer

The terror alert system really bugs me. I'm sure it means something important to police, and it's good that they have a specific way of stepping up their security measures and such. But what does Code Orange, mean to Joe Blow on the street? Why does the traffic sign in DC say, instead of "Accident on 495, Expect Delays" - "Terror Alert - High". So Joe can worry about whether or not to send his kids on the bus this morning? So he can feel nervous as he steps on the train? (though not so nervous as to not take it altogether - that would be acting in reaction to fear - letting the terrorists win!!!)

Be afraid, do nothing. Do not prepare, but be ready. Let those in power make decisions that will save you. Trust. Obey.