NationStates Jolt Archive

A question for American citizens. What do these warnings mean to you and how do you react to them? Do you feel that they are politicized in anyway?

From todays news:

http://sympaticomsn.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1091369903535_69?hub=topstories

[i]U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge has announced that the security alert level in some U.S. financial centres has been raised from "elevated" to "high".

According to the security level chart released by U.S. officials, a high level of security alert is characterized by the colour orange. Ridge specified that the alert level will remain at yellow or "elevated," in the rest of the country.

Ridge said "reports indicate that al Qaeda is targeting several specific buildings." He added that actions to further secure these buildings are already underway.

The affected areas include the financial services industries in New York, Washington and Newark, New Jersey. Ridge specifically mentioned the Citicorp building and the New York Stock Exchange in New York City, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank buildings in Washington and the Prudential building in Newark.

Ridge said he'd like to think that as sobering as the new information is, he hopes the people who work at the specifically-mentioned buildings would have the resolve to keep working and "leading their lives."

He said that although the announcement was "startling," it shouldn't be "stifling" to the American people.[/u]

What do you do personally when you see these warnings?

A question for American citizens. What do these warnings mean to you and how do you react to them? Do you feel that they are politicized in anyway?

From todays news:

http://sympaticomsn.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1091369903535_69?hub=topstories

[i]U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge has announced that the security alert level in some U.S. financial centres has been raised from "elevated" to "high".

According to the security level chart released by U.S. officials, a high level of security alert is characterized by the colour orange. Ridge specified that the alert level will remain at yellow or "elevated," in the rest of the country.

Ridge said "reports indicate that al Qaeda is targeting several specific buildings." He added that actions to further secure these buildings are already underway.

The affected areas include the financial services industries in New York, Washington and Newark, New Jersey. Ridge specifically mentioned the Citicorp building and the New York Stock Exchange in New York City, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank buildings in Washington and the Prudential building in Newark.

Ridge said he'd like to think that as sobering as the new information is, he hopes the people who work at the specifically-mentioned buildings would have the resolve to keep working and "leading their lives."

He said that although the announcement was "startling," it shouldn't be "stifling" to the American people.[/u]

What do you do personally when you see these warnings?


I'll take "Negating the DNC poll bump" for $500, Alex.

How many times are they going to do this and nothing happens before people simply stop paying attention to it? I think without specific information they are doing the public a great disservice.

New York City has been at Code Orange (High) ever since the color coded alert thing came out. Honestly, as someone who lives in New York, I'm not overly concerded. Hell, what is this? The tenth time he said New York is going to get blown up? Meh.

It's political propaganda to make our country's intel appear official.
- Cefywn

I'll take "Negating the DNC poll bump" for $500, Alex.
Whois you're daddy? :rolleyes:

A question for American citizens. What do these warnings mean to you and how do you react to them? Do you feel that they are politicized in anyway? What do you do personally when you see these warnings?

1) They don't mean a damned thing to me because they are all non-specific and I'm getting tired of the boy who cried wolf drill, and how do I react to them, I think to myself "Should I call my bookie and bet for something to happen, if I'm right I could make billions!".

2) Hellz yes. There is no question in my mind that they are being used as some sort of political tool by the current administration, especially the one about the elections and them wanting the power to delay them if something goes wrong etc, etc. It's fear-mongering.

3) See part 2 of question one.

How many times are they going to do this and nothing happens before people simply stop paying attention to it? I think without specific information they are doing the public a great disservice.
That could pose a very large problem for sure. It is called desensitization?

Unlike most of you, i was EXTREMELY close to a terrorist attack (not 9/11, it was a church boming in Pakistan in March '02. One of my buddies Mom and sister died. I used to live there but after the Attack al U.S. Embassy workers and their Families had to be evacuated, so i had to leave.) I personally jsut go around my normal buisiness when these are elevated. BUT, when its on SEVERE, i go to my TV and watch CNN because they only do SEVERE when a terrorist attack is in progress.

New York City has been at Code Orange (High) ever since the color coded alert thing came out. Honestly, as someone who lives in New York, I'm not overly concerded. Hell, what is this? The tenth time he said New York is going to get blown up? Meh.
So should you be skeptical or should they revamp the colour coding?

2) Hellz yes. There is no question in my mind that they are being used as some sort of political tool by the current administration, especially the one about the elections and them wanting the power to delay them if something goes wrong etc, etc. It's fear-mongering.

But, but, but, Condi said no one was even considering that. I mean, Condi said it. Why would Condi lie to me? Why? *breaks down into hysterical sobbing*

Seriously, though, and perhaps this is just my own extremely jaded viewpoint talking here, but I can't help but feel we're being set up. Not for an attack, mind you, because God help George Bush's reelection bid if there is another one as, so far, the only thing people can point to is his effectiveness in preventing terrorist actions on US soil. Instead, I feel like we're going to see a major terrorist plot foiled on US soil through the Almight Power Of The Bush. Possibly around the RNC, which will then add credence to the absurd notion that "Terrorists Support Kerry." Mind you, no one will actually say that, but it will certainly be implied.

Unlike most of you, i was EXTREMELY close to a terrorist attack (not 9/11, it was a church boming in Pakistan in March '02. One of my buddies Mom and sister died. I used to live there but after the Attack al U.S. Embassy workers and their Families had to be evacuated, so i had to leave.) I personally jsut go around my normal buisiness when these are elevated. BUT, when its on SEVERE, i go to my TV and watch CNN because they only do SEVERE when a terrorist attack is in progress.

o_O *methinks you need to lay off the meth* If I had 5 dollars for every day we have been at severe and nothing has happened I would be looking at an LCD flat panel moniter right now, not a CRT, that much I can tell you.

So should you be skeptical or should they revamp the colour coding?

I vote for chartruesse or perhaps, for the highest level of alert, meaning a terror attack WILL happen in the NEXT FIVE MINUTES, "Holy Shit Plaid!"

Personally, i believe that any non-american that answers this poll should b dis-credited. Your not an American. This poll doesnt apply to you!

o_O *methinks you need to lay off the meth* If I had 5 dollars for every day we have been at severe and nothing has happened I would be looking at an LCD flat panel moniter right now, not a CRT, that much I can tell you.

Sever is the highest it goes. HIGH, is seen alot, so is elevated, but ive only seen severe, well, never! it wasnt there during the LAST terrorist attack.

But, but, but, Condi said no one was even considering that. I mean, Condi said it. Why would Condi lie to me? Why? *breaks down into hysterical sobbing*

Seriously, though, and perhaps this is just my own extremely jaded viewpoint talking here, but I can't help but feel we're being set up. Not for an attack, mind you, because God help George Bush's reelection bid if there is another one as, so far, the only thing people can point to is his effectiveness in preventing terrorist actions on US soil. Instead, I feel like we're going to see a major terrorist plot foiled on US soil through the Almight Power Of The Bush. Possibly around the RNC, which will then add credence to the absurd notion that "Terrorists Support Kerry." Mind you, no one will actually say that, but it will certainly be implied.
I noticed that you moved over to Politics for $1,000

You have a parallel thought to mine on this issue.

Stay tuned for Double Jeopardy

So should you be skeptical or should they revamp the colour coding?

Skeptical and they should just drop the department of homeland security all together, big waste of taxpayer dollars. Besides, we all know that we should only be worried if the thing hits green, then we're all fucked.

But, but, but, Condi said no one was even considering that. I mean, Condi said it. Why would Condi lie to me? Why? *breaks down into hysterical sobbing*

Seriously, though, and perhaps this is just my own extremely jaded viewpoint talking here, but I can't help but feel we're being set up. Not for an attack, mind you, because God help George Bush's reelection bid if there is another one as, so far, the only thing people can point to is his effectiveness in preventing terrorist actions on US soil. Instead, I feel like we're going to see a major terrorist plot foiled on US soil through the Almight Power Of The Bush. Possibly around the RNC, which will then add credence to the absurd notion that "Terrorists Support Kerry." Mind you, no one will actually say that, but it will certainly be implied.

Then I guess the terrorists and 49% of americans have something in common.

Personally, i believe that any non-american that answers this poll should b dis-credited. Your not an American. This poll doesnt apply to you!

We are not colour coding here, I swear.. hey, every one is allowed to their opinion, Americans or not.

Sever is the highest it goes. HIGH, is seen alot, so is elevated, but ive only seen severe, well, never! it wasnt there during the LAST terrorist attack.
errrrrrrrrrr, shit, oops my bad. I was thinking Severe = Orange not High = Orange.

I vote for chartruesse or perhaps, for the highest level of alert, meaning a terror attack WILL happen in the NEXT FIVE MINUTES, "Holy Shit Plaid!"
TOO FUNNY!!!!

I vote for chartruesse or perhaps, for the highest level of alert, meaning a terror attack WILL happen in the NEXT FIVE MINUTES, "Holy Shit Plaid!"

Roffle!

hehe...that would rock so hard.

All these homeland security levels and colors are just crap that the Bush administration pu out scare the public into thinking that without bush they will all be killed by terrorist evil gas bombs.

We are not colour coding here, I swear.. hey, every one is allowed to their opinion, Americans or not.

No, but i mean, int eh Beginning of the thread, it said what do AMERICANS think of it, and what do AMERICANS do. Im just saying.

All these homeland security levels and colors are just crap that the Bush administration pu out scare the public into thinking that without bush they will all be killed by terrorist evil gas bombs.

O_O but don't you ph33r teh terrist threat!?!?!?!?!?!?! *microevil wraps himself in visqueen and duct tape* [end sarcasm]

Yeah that's pretty much the opinion of myself, everyone I've had a discussion like this with in real life and quite a lot of the american people.

OH SHIT, WE'RE AT RED, HIT THE FUCKING DECK AND COVER YOUR FUCKING NUTS, WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE.

This rating system is the most moronic thing I've ever had the displeasure to witness in my entire life.

Ok, this is how the real colour coding system works, if you haven't already figured it out.

http://www.stephaniesworld.com/bushsecurity.jpg

So should you be skeptical or should they revamp the colour coding?
Me personally, I could care less about his fancy shmancy color coding system. It's all politics. Like I said, I don't really care about the DHS and their colors. Ridge isn't the one living in New York.

So, an attack occurs in New York... This is the press conference that follows:

"Oh! We had the city at high alert! The residents and police knew in advance and should have been prepared."

"But Mr. Ridge, they've been at high alert for almost a year."

"So? They were at Code Orange and should have been prepared."

"Yea... But because they've been at hightened alert for so long, the Police Department has gone poor with overtime and the city residents don't even care about the color codings anymore."

"Ah? So? They were at Code Orange and should have been prepared for a terror attack. NEXT QUESTION!"

I vote for chartruesse or perhaps, for the highest level of alert, meaning a terror attack WILL happen in the NEXT FIVE MINUTES, "Holy Shit Plaid!"

I'm so reminded of the system they used in Harvey Birdman for that one episode.

At the top of the original chart was Blackwatch Plaid.

And on top of that, the cover of Rush's seminal album 'Moving Pictures'.

And above that the chariot scene from Ben Hur.

Anyway. I still figure the current government's trying to scare everyone, in the hope that they become suggestive to the advice of authority and vote Apocal-...err, Dubbya.

Ok, this is how the real colour coding system works, if you haven't already figured it out.

http://www.stephaniesworld.com/bushsecurity.jpg

HA! Finally, truth in politics.

I mean, I don't even understand what we're supposed to be doing when the threat level increases as average citizens. Rushing out to Wal-Mart to buy bottled water, duct tape and Spam? Calling the terror hotline to say, "Yeah, Bob's been hanging around the water cooler a lot lately. Maybe he's just shirking the annual financial report, but it still looks pretty suspicious to me." Making peace with whatever God we believe in that, even though we're supposedly winning this "War on Terror", we could all evidently be nuked at any time for any reason anyway?

All this said, I'm still going to feel extrordinarily bad if something actually does happen. And I guess that is the whole point.

Ok, this is how the real colour coding system works, if you haven't already figured it out.

http://www.stephaniesworld.com/bushsecurity.jpg
Are you sure? I though Elevated was supposed to be Elevated Risk of Dick Cheny Having a Heart Attack. :p

I'm seriously beginning to believe that the bush administration is using the "Magic 8 Ball: Intelligence Edition" when they come up with these "terror threats".

Are you sure? I though Elevated was supposed to be Elevated Risk of Dick Cheny Having a Heart Attack. :p

Well, yeah, but that presumes Cheney has a heart. I still maintain his first heart attack wasn't a misfunctioning of an actual heart, but his body finally realizing that he didn't come equipped with one from the factory.

I mean, I don't even understand what we're supposed to be doing when the threat level increases as average citizens. Rushing out to Wal-Mart to buy bottled water, duct tape and Spam? Calling the terror hotline to say, "Yeah, Bob's been hanging around the water cooler a lot lately. Maybe he's just shirking the annual financial report, but it still looks pretty suspicious to me." Making peace with whatever God we believe in that, even though we're supposedly winning this "War on Terror", we could all evidently be nuked at any time for any reason anyway?

All this said, I'm still going to feel extrordinarily bad if something actually does happen. And I guess that is the whole point.
A case of damned if you do and damned if you don't?

I mean, I don't even understand what we're supposed to be doing when the threat level increases as average citizens. Rushing out to Wal-Mart to buy bottled water, duct tape and Spam? Calling the terror hotline to say, "Yeah, Bob's been hanging around the water cooler a lot lately. Maybe he's just shirking the annual financial report, but it still looks pretty suspicious to me." Making peace with whatever God we believe in that, even though we're supposedly winning this "War on Terror", we could all evidently be nuked at any time for any reason anyway?

All this said, I'm still going to feel extrordinarily bad if something actually does happen. And I guess that is the whole point.

Hey, YOU're looking kinda suspicious. Playing Camputer, eh? Or are you REALLY giving Al-Qaeda funds? Im Calling Tom Ridge on you!

Here is the Official Alert:

http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/

A case of damned if you do and damned if you don't?

Pretty much. I mean, intellectually, I think these security codes are next to useless. However, I'm as much a victim of psychology as the next American and part of me wonders how much of my intellectual derision stems from a deep seated fear that I'm subject to every time I hear the words "threat code" because of what it implies. So, if nothing happens, then there's that nagging doubt in the back of my mind, "What if it didn't happen because of the thread code raise and some good citizen, who actually believes in them and follows them, tipped someone off and averted the incident?" But if something does happen, I'm still left wondering, "Maybe if you hadn't been such an intellectual snob about this whole thing, you yourself could have done something to stop this."

Damn Bush to hell for giving me another subconcious paradox I have to spend time and money at my therapist's office working out.

Hey, YOU're looking kinda suspicious. Playing Camputer, eh? Or are you REALLY giving Al-Qaeda funds? Im Calling Tom Ridge on you!

Wait! Are you calling me unAmerican!?! Make that call fast, pal, cause I just called Tom Ridge on you!!!!!!1!!!!!1!!1!!!!

Wait! Are you calling me unAmerican!?! Make that call fast, pal, cause I just called Tom Ridge on you!!!!!!1!!!!!1!!1!!!!

I called him first :P

Pretty much. I mean, intellectually, I think these security codes are next to useless. However, I'm as much a victim of psychology as the next American and part of me wonders how much of my intellectual derision stems from a deep seated fear that I'm subject to every time I hear the words "threat code" because of what it implies. So, if nothing happens, then there's that nagging doubt in the back of my mind, "What if it didn't happen because of the thread code raise and some good citizen, who actually believes in them and follows them, tipped someone off and averted the incident?" But if something does happen, I'm still left wondering, "Maybe if you hadn't been such an intellectual snob about this whole thing, you yourself could have done something to stop this."

Damn Bush to hell for giving me another subconcious paradox I have to spend time and money at my therapist's office working out.

Well you could always take my idea of calling your bookie and placing a bet in favor of an attack, the money that you win would probably make you rich, and you really won't have to worr about the cost of seeing a therapist :D

I called him first :P

Nuh-uh! I called him first times infinity!!!!1!!!!!!!!!!111!!!!

Nuh-uh! I called him first times infinity!!!!1!!!!!!!!!!111!!!!

Um... uh.. uhhhhhhh.... I CALLED DONALD RUMSFELD!

Here is the Official Alert:

http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/
Ok, and here is the news report from a local news channel in NYC: [here (http://www.wnbc.com/news/3603190/detail.html)] And the important part, if you don't feel like reading the whole thing:

Ridge said it would be up to New York City officials to decide whether to move to the highest level, red. The city has remained on orange since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
So really? What does this color system do for us? Absolutly nothing. The city's been at orange for THREE YEARS! How does this solve anything? Anytime that the rest of the nation goes up to orange, we're already there...

Um... uh.. uhhhhhhh.... I CALLED DONALD RUMSFELD!

Man, that's totally bogus! I'm so telling Bush on you. You are gonna get like a huge spanking and stuff and, like, I'm gonna be all laughing and junk.

God i hate politics.... Unfortunatly, they are the most important thing in the world. REally, politics will decide wether humans commit suicide and blow up the plnet in a nuclear war or not...

Politics isn't bad, it's just the politicians and the sheep-like masses that make the political process frusterating.

I'm seriously beginning to believe that the bush administration is using the "Magic 8 Ball: Intelligence Edition" when they come up with these "terror threats".
rofl

Bush: "oh magic eightball, please reveal to me the future. will terrorist attack new york city?"
*shakes 8 ball*
8 ball: "Outlook is cloudy."
Bush: "ah man, it's gonna rain"

Wait! Are you calling me unAmerican!?! Make that call fast, pal, cause I just called Tom Ridge on you!!!!!!1!!!!!1!!1!!!!
Is there EVEN a high level call centre? Especially for security threats? Somehow I just don't think 911 would cut it?

Is there EVEN a high level call centre? Especially for security threats? Somehow I just don't think 911 would cut it?

Yeah actually, it's called 911 or your local FBI office

Yeah actually, it's called 911 or your local FBI office

Heh, I can see it now:

911 Operator: Hello, this is 911. How may we be of assistance.
Person: There's a terrorist trying to break into my car!
911 Operator: Um, okay. We'll send a squad car over immediately, but why do you think it's a terrorist?
Person: Cause he's trying to break into MY CAR!
911 Operator: Well, yes, and?
Person: WE'RE ON HIGH ALERT AND I WORK AT CITIBANK!!!

For the ONE person so far in this poll that takes these warnings seriously, you can get a Ready Kit:

http://www.ready.gov/

Details supplies, plans etc.......

Heh, I can see it now:

911 Operator: Hello, this is 911. How may we be of assistance.
Person: There's a terrorist trying to break into my car!
911 Operator: Um, okay. We'll send a squad car over immediately, but why do you think it's a terrorist?
Person: Cause he's trying to break into MY CAR!
911 Operator: Well, yes, and?
Person: WE'RE ON HIGH ALERT AND I WORK AT CITIBANK!!!
LMAO. :p

Actually, NYC has some catchy 1-800 dedicated to recieving terrorist information. ;)

LMAO. :p

Actually, NYC has some catchy 1-800 dedicated to recieving terrorist information. ;)

Damn it, I feel left out. Oh well, that's what I get for living in a smaller city that terrorists have probably never heard of.

Damn it, I feel left out. Oh well, that's what I get for living in a smaller city that terrorists have probably never heard of.
Actually, weren't some small cities/towns warned before? Probably pulling of a terrorist activity would be much easier? Correct me if I am wrong please.

Actually, weren't some small cities/towns warned before? Probably pulling of a terrorist activity would be much easier? Correct me if I am wrong please.

Oh they always talk about it on the local news, but there is no supporting information and there. And those were all just mistakes anyway because people can't translate properly.

Actually, weren't some small cities/towns warned before? Probably pulling of a terrorist activity would be much easier? Correct me if I am wrong please.

I think they were, but I seriously can't believe that a random town like, oh, say, Waverly, Kansas, is high on a terrorist list of potential targets. It lacks any significant ideological value.

no one likes my joke

you people have no sense of humor

Pointless scaremongering. Statistically, you're more likely to die in a traffic accident.

I think they were, but I seriously can't believe that a random town like, oh, say, Waverly, Kansas, is high on a terrorist list of potential targets. It lacks any significant ideological value.
Yes but the psychological value could be immense? In other words it can happen to you and not just the other guy theory? Or am I just shooting blanks here?

Pointless scaremongering. Statistically, you're more likely to die in a traffic accident.
Statistically I'm more likely to die in the middle of a field on a sunny day with no storms for thousands of miles because i was struck by lightening twice while standing in the same spot.

Yes but the psychological value could be immense? In other words it can happen to you and not just the other guy theory? Or am I just shooting blanks here?
Blanks, I can see it would create a little fear at first, but uh it would quickly be made too big a deal of and people would go back to their glass eyed apathy.

no one likes my joke

you people have no sense of humor
Actually I think Berk already has the inside track on the stand up comedian routine locked up?

Actually I think Berk already has the inside track on the stand up comedian routine locked up?

Pfft, I'm not funny. Just get lucky sometimes. :)

Pfft, I'm not funny. Just get lucky sometimes. :)
Well you certainly did inject some levity into a somewhat serious issue. I was busting a gut, especially the Citibank terrorist. ;)

Well you certainly did inject some levity into a somewhat serious issue. I was busting a gut, especially the Citibank terrorist. ;)
that really wasnt that funny here..

no one likes my joke

you people have no sense of humor

Oh I do! But most peoples laugh and don't feel the need to post. Rest assured that I found it funny. You sould be more concerned when someone tells you that it's not funny.

So, keep up the good work.

that really wasnt that funny here..
Sorry if that offends you BUT you did say we have NO sense of humour?

For all of you Americans who have an annoying neighbour, perhaps with a barking dog or some thing, I say cease the moment. Report them today! At worst you ruin their day with them being questioned, at best they get sent to Gitmo.. LOL :P

Sorry if that offends you BUT you did say we have NO sense of humour?
sorry i dont think igot the punchline

For all of you Americans who have an annoying neighbour, perhaps with a barking dog or some thing, I say cease the moment.
That guy in 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue really pisses me off :P

That guy in 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue really pisses me off :P
Thanks for dropping by my thread President Kerry. Good luck during your first four years in office!! Don't worry about the guy in the White House, they will be using grease on the doorways to pry him out of the office.

Thanks for dropping by my thread President Kerry. Good luck during your first four years in office!! Don't worry about the guy in the White House, they will be using grease on the doorways to pry him out of the office.

Lol. Im a staunch bush-supporter and i laughed at the joke. WHy do you think thats strange? WHY?!?!?!? (and dont ask how i knew what you were thinking... i know where you live!)

I didn't vote, but I think it's definitely politics. Psychological studies show that when people are afraid they're more likely to support George Bush.

most of the responses to this thread illustrate why advance notice of 9/11 would have gone unheeded even had UBL himself taken a full page ad in the NY Times.

I'll take "Negating the DNC poll bump" for $500, Alex.

DNC Poll bump!

How much of a bump did John Kerry get?

What is 2 points

What poll was this from?

What is Newsweek!

As for the question, I take it serously but I still go about my life.

DNC Poll bump!

How much of a bump did John Kerry get?

What is 2 points

What poll was this from?

What is Newsweek!

As for the question, I take it serously but I still go about my life.

Sorry Formal, these are not real numbers, going to have to call foul, all the networks are reporting the real numbers won't be out till tomorrow (Monday) to see if Kerry got a bounce or not. Lets pick this up again tomorrow. :P

Sorry Formal, these are not real numbers, going to have to call foul, all the networks are reporting the real numbers won't be out till tomorrow (Monday) to see if Kerry got a bounce or not. Lets pick this up again tomorrow. :P

Sorry Steph, but that has been reported.

But I misquoted the number, it was actually 4 points not 2 so sue me!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5568072/site/newsweek/

"Kerry’s four-point “bounce” is the smallest in the history of the NEWSWEEK poll."

Only a 4 point bounce so it wasn't the major bounce as people have expected! I bet other numbers will be similiar. A small bounce. Not a medium one or a large one, but a small one! Probably between 2-6 points is what i'm guessing.

Sorry Steph, but that has been reported.

But I misquoted the number, it was actually 4 points not 2 so sue me!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5568072/site/newsweek/

"Kerry’s four-point “bounce” is the smallest in the history of the NEWSWEEK poll."

Only a 4 point bounce so it wasn't the major bounce as people have expected! I bet other numbers will be similiar. A small bounce. Not a medium one or a large one, but a small one! Probably between 2-6 points is what i'm guessing.

I'll still wait for Gallup.. but 4 points is still not bad, but I'm waiting for tomorrow.. only 5 points were predicted.

I'll still wait for Gallup.. but 4 points is still not bad, but I'm waiting for tomorrow.. only 5 points were predicted.

I think Gallop did go 5 points! I thought I heard that number mentioned.

I think Gallop did go 5 points! I thought I heard that number mentioned.

Full numbers won't be out till tomorrow.. so, don't be surprised if you don't see a bit of a difference in tomorrows numbers then from the week end polls.. that's all I'm saying.

No one really expected a huge bounce as the country has pretty much made up it's mind. There are not that many undecided/swing voters. The country is pretty polarized for one side or the other.

Full numbers won't be out till tomorrow.. so, don't be surprised if you don't see a bit of a difference in tomorrows numbers then from the week end polls.. that's all I'm saying.

No one really expected a huge bounce as the country has pretty much made up it's mind. There are not that many undecided/swing voters. The country is pretty polarized for one side or the other.

I do agree with that but if he doesn't get as large abounce as they think they were going to get, Bush doesn't have to bash Kerry at his convention so he can concentrate on the issues.

I do agree with that but if he doesn't get as large abounce as they think they were going to get, Bush doesn't have to bash Kerry at his convention so he can concentrate on the issues.
As opposed to the Bush bashing that Kerry does.

Sometimes I think republicans see a different convention then the rest of the country does.

As opposed to the Bush bashing that Kerry does.

Sometimes I think republicans see a different convention then the rest of the country does.

I saw the Bush bashing CSW and I don't think I said that they didn't do it. Actually i left out the Democratic Convention on purpose.

I said that if they don't get the bounch they are looking for, Bush's people doesn't have to bash Kerry. They can concentrate soley on the issues and don't have to resort to the antics used by Sharpton, Edwards, and Kerry.

Sometimes I think the republicans see a different world then the rest of the country does :p

I do agree with that but if he doesn't get as large abounce as they think they were going to get, Bush doesn't have to bash Kerry at his convention so he can concentrate on the issues.

Ok at the moment Kerry leads Bush by 7 points in national polls. Lets say Bush gets an equal bounce from the GOP convention. That will still leave him at a 2 point deficit and what does that all mean? Nothing! Kerry is leading right now. However, if it comes to a difference of 2 points. Well, no one will be able to call the race. I'm watching Ohio as I believe it will tell the tale. As you probably know, no Republican has ever won the white house if they didn't win Ohio.. never! There are a couple of other "swing" states I'm watching, however I believe Ohio is the most important one. Which Kerry and Bush seem to be in a dead heat. Kerry does seem to move up past Bush, then Bush catches up, but all within the margin of error. Bush won't get any more of a bounce then Kerry. People I believe have already decided. Very few swing/undecided voters left.

Now, if one or the other really messes up at the debates, we may see numbers change. Another terrorist attack would certainly also change the numbers and more likely in Bush's favour. I believe Kerry who is a master of debate (has been compared to William . F. Buckley) will easily beat Bush at the debates. However there are a ton of world events that could happen from now till Nov. to change every thing.

Exciting huh! ;)

Everyone knows this is a very tight race! It'll get tighter still!

As stated, you still have the Republican Convention coming up and there will be a bounce there. Then shortly thereafter, you have the 3 debates and the VP debate. This race will come down to that.

Everyone knows this is a very tight race! It'll get tighter still!

As stated, you still have the Republican Convention coming up and there will be a bounce there. Then shortly thereafter, you have the 3 debates and the VP debate. This race will come down to that.

Already answered, see above!

Already answered, see above!

I saw it already! LOL

I saw it already! LOL

Haha, ok, just checking. :p

For all of you Americans who have an annoying neighbour, perhaps with a barking dog or some thing, I say cease the moment. Report them today! At worst you ruin their day with them being questioned, at best they get sent to Gitmo.. LOL :P

That's quite an idea, I may have to take that suggestion, I have a neighbor that refuses to turn out of his driveway in any manner that does not involve noise, hone honking or a peel out, at any hour of any day.

most of the responses to this thread illustrate why advance notice of 9/11 would have gone unheeded even had UBL himself taken a full page ad in the NY Times.

No they don't, we would have taken the threat seriously because back then they didn't tell us that the sky was falling once a week.

DNC Poll bump!

How much of a bump did John Kerry get?

What is 2 points

What poll was this from?

What is Newsweek!

As for the question, I take it serously but I still go about my life.

The point of the post you quoted was that the scare factor actually lowered the amount of bounce that Kerry could have possibly gotten, hence only the 4 points. And as has been stated by steph and I in this and other posts, polling at this point and at any point means very little, for god's sakes Gore had like a 12 point lead going into election week last time, and look what happened. It could go either way with any poll cause they all suck.

Sometimes I think the republicans see a different world then the rest of the country does :p

Agreed.

Gore had like a 12 point lead going into election week last time, and look what happened

Yeah, but that was a little bit of a different situation as the Florida GOP cheated and committed elections fraud. Gore did win. He just didn't get to become president.

The point of the post you quoted was that the scare factor actually lowered the amount of bounce that Kerry could have possibly gotten, hence only the 4 points. And as has been stated by steph and I in this and other posts, polling at this point and at any point means very little, for god's sakes Gore had like a 12 point lead going into election week last time, and look what happened. It could go either way with any poll cause they all suck.

I never said that I trust polls at this point. I really do not trust polls but its fun watching them come out. I really do wish people stop putting words into my mouth. It really does get annoying.

I never said that I trust polls at this point. I really do not trust polls but its fun watching them come out. I really do wish people stop putting words into my mouth. It really does get annoying.

Well, if you feel that way try not to make it so easy for people to insinuate that you do.

and steph: Good point. Polls can quickly become irrelevant when people start cheating.

Well, if you feel that way try not to make it so easy for people to insinuate that you do.

and steph: Good point. Polls can quickly become irrelevant when people start cheating.

I was clear and concise and polls are irrelevant, the only poll that is NEARLY 100% accurate is the poll on election day. Well its accurate but the electoral vote could go the other way. LOL.

I was clear and concise and polls are irrelevant, the only poll that is NEARLY 100% accurate is the poll on election day. Well its accurate but the electoral vote could go the other way. LOL.

Or accurate until someone skews the outcome.

A question for American citizens. What do these warnings mean to you and how do you react to them? Do you feel that they are politicized in anyway?

From todays news:

http://sympaticomsn.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1091369903535_69?hub=topstories

[i]U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge has announced that the security alert level in some U.S. financial centres has been raised from "elevated" to "high".

According to the security level chart released by U.S. officials, a high level of security alert is characterized by the colour orange. Ridge specified that the alert level will remain at yellow or "elevated," in the rest of the country.

Ridge said "reports indicate that al Qaeda is targeting several specific buildings." He added that actions to further secure these buildings are already underway.

The affected areas include the financial services industries in New York, Washington and Newark, New Jersey. Ridge specifically mentioned the Citicorp building and the New York Stock Exchange in New York City, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank buildings in Washington and the Prudential building in Newark.

Ridge said he'd like to think that as sobering as the new information is, he hopes the people who work at the specifically-mentioned buildings would have the resolve to keep working and "leading their lives."

He said that although the announcement was "startling," it shouldn't be "stifling" to the American people.[/u]

What do you do personally when you see these warnings?
I go on living. If I flip out and seclude myself at home with a gun, the terrorists have won.