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Feds Review Terror Alert System

By the Associated Press

Posted Jul 14, 2009 12:24 PM CDT

(AP) – The Homeland Security Department will review the multicolored terror alert system created in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has created a task force to determine in 60 days how effective the current system is. The system could get an overhaul—or could be eliminated entirely.

The five-tiered system that goes from green, which signals a low danger of attack, to red, which signals a severe threat of attack, has proven confusing at times. And critics say the colors are too vague to deliver enough information to be useful. The 17-member task force will be chaired by former FBI Director William Webster and the former White House homeland security adviser, Fran Townsend.

Former Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge unveils the color-coded terrorism warning system in 2002.
Former Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge unveils the color-coded terrorism warning system in 2002.   (AP Photo)
This 2002 handout shows the color-coded terrorism warning system.
This 2002 handout shows the color-coded terrorism warning system.   (AP Photo)
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 14 comments
gropius
Jul 16, 2009 12:14 PM CDT
@NewserScooter You apparently live in Texas so kindly shut your yap about what it's like to live in a city with a terrorist bulls-eye painted around it. I lived in NYC during the attacks and experienced the true fear, anxiety, depression, and eventual sense of uneasy normalcy as time progressed. At no time did I, nor did most New Yorkers, feel at all protected or reassured by this farsical, infantile, and condescending color coding system. After the initial shock you realise exactly what Jonmark is asserting -- that the risks of everyday life are much more consquential than the risk of being harmed by terrorists. But then again New Yorkers -- for whom it takes a certain amount of bravery to get out of bed every morning -- instintively know this anyway.
NewserScooter
Jul 16, 2009 3:13 AM CDT
I'm just guessing Jon that you don't live in NY!
NewserScooter
Jul 16, 2009 3:11 AM CDT
Annie, lets let you review the facts. The smae organization that led the first bombing were involved with the second. So according to your math, in fact 3300 Americans died because of that approach. After all the 9-11 hijackers were so afraid of being put in jail.

Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

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