Conflicting Threat Levels: Triple Lutz

The confusing issue of the nation’s terror threat level has only gotten more wacky through the government’s communications efforts. The Department of Homeland Security, which has grown into an enormous government bureaucracy, has kept the terror … or is it, terrorism, or maybe just fear factor … threat level at airports at “ORANGE” level since August 2006. It’s apparently become permanent ORANGE because permanent signs have been printed at airports. But, the threat level may actually be YELLOW, not ORANGE … and that’s according to Homeland Security!

Look closely at the Home page of Homeland Security, and you will see the triple lutz of conflicting and mixed messages — On the left, under National Threat Advisory, the threat level is YELLOW in the graph yet the text underneath says ORANGE. Turns out there are multiple warning levels in the country - one for airports and one for something else, not explained. Over on the right side is a big GREEN check mark and the word “READY” in bold. What the heck does all that suggest?!

The U.S. Park Police confirm … at the very bottom of their Web site … that the terror/terrorism/fear factor level is YELLOW, at least in their online graph, provided by Homeland Security.

I know it’s hard to believe but do you think, possibly, that one hand isn’t talking to the other in our government?! Reminds me of that old Abbott and Costello gag … Who’s on first, What’s on second. I can only assume that TSA had so many ORANGE warning signs printed for airports that they just left it that way.

As for we Americans … the threat level seems to be floating somewhere between meaningless and not very clear, according to the federal government graph of colors.