Is the Terror Threat level just a tool to promote fear in the populace?

Question

I do not see the point to the Terror Threat level. Honestly, does anyone really alter their behavior or travel plans based on it. I accept that we should all be diligent and aware of potential terrorist threats and further that we should make every effort to avoid attacks, but it just seems like a CYA tool for the government rather than anything practical for the average citizen to follow. I am just interested in other people's opinion on the matter.

proud_2ba_american: Actually I did not say the government is promoting fear. The question is provacative intentionally in order to get people's attention. Yahoo Answers users tend to go for the sensational more so than the mundane. What I said was that I believe it is used as a CYA measure for the government. In effect, if a terrorists attack happens they can say we warned you.

Doc8: I have not proposed any conspiracy on the part of the government. Kindly read the details of the question before passing judement on the intent. Further you really should not prejudge my positions or opinions without knowing what they actually are. I am a Conservative and have been very vocal in the past on my opinions regarding the fanatical believes of the 911 conspiracy set.

Answer 1

I don't think it is. It is there and we know it exists. I don't see it as being much different than having a scale to warn of threatening weather. It isn't. If you get a weather warning you are more likely to pay attention to the conditions and be ready to take certain measures to protect yourself.

Besides, I don't think that it is there so much for our information but rather to "get the word out" in a mass annoucement to the different agencies and businesses that are most likely to be targeted. It works.

What I do think is that by continually theorizing that the government is somehow intentionally promoting fear that the whole threat of a terrorist attack isn't taken as seriously as it should be. By saying that the government is promoting fear you are promoting another conspiracy theory that could potentially cause a person to not pay as much attention to their surroundings. Erring on the side of caution is the wise thing to do.

The threat of another attack is real and we need to stop pretending that it isn't.

PS... Bryan, I should have made myself more clear. Your reponse to me is because of my use of the word "you". I didn't mean you as in you specifically but you as in anyone who does what I mentioned. Based on responses I have seen you make I did not believe that you would make such a claim. But you see how your carefully worded question just magnifies the point I was trying to make. Most of the people here can't (or won't) analyze the legitamacy of such a claim beyond the words they are reading at the moment. They see it, they read it, it must be true.

By the way, I did find it odd that you would ask the question the way you did. I thought maybe you were just having a bad day. You're sneaky!!! *lol*

Answer 2

It is a tool to frighten the population, and to take control of the media. It has been shown on many occasions the terror threat level has been raised immediately after an unfavorable news story has broke. The "terror level" increase, and accompanying press conference override any other news, it requires no evidence, and escapes any scrutiny. The governments "Intelligence" wouldn't fabricate evidence again, would it?
The "terror level" makes no difference to the public, they still go about their business.
Terrorists love the "terror level" because they know when is the best time to attack, it gives an indication of whether their plot has been detected, and they would certainly wait until the increased security subsides.
In short, It's useless.

Answer 3

The purpose of the indicator is almost entirely institutional. When the terror threat level goes up, federal government agencies and local governments have additional burdens and responsibilities (like number of police on standby, etc.) The American people have no real reason to pay attention (unless, of course, the thing is red, which means an attack has happened or is imminent, in which case we'd all be watching the news anyway).
http://www.dhs.gov/xinfoshare/programs/gc_1156876241477.shtm

Answer 4

I think there has to be some truth to this. There have been a number of former Bush Administration officials that have come out against the Bush Administration. Bush's former press secretary has. His head of the office of legal council suggests that the Bush Administration push him to write legal opinions that crossed the line of legality so that they could legally get away with doing illegal acts. And now this from the former US homeland security chief. These people were hired because they were ultra conservative. These aren't liberals aiming attacks at the former Bush Administration. These are ultra conservatives that were hand picked by the Bush Administration to work for them because they were ultra conservative. A story becomes a lot more believable when it comes from people of the same political party. And Tom Ridge is by far not the first to accuse his former bosses of misdeeds.

Answer 5

I am sure in the minds of the goverment it is a useful tool.It was created by Homeland Security,another useful tool?I think it is a useless way to waste taxpaying dollars.I don't know anyone that says "I can't do that tonite the terrorist level is heightened and I must stay home and prepare".I am sure the president is well looked after when this happens,but for an everyday Joe like you and me,its a total waste.

Answer 6

It is stupid.

They really have no way of knowing when an attack is going to happen.

Sure, they pick up a little info here and there, and tap this guys phone and that guys phone... but seriously... how do they know when a car bomb is going to go off? They don't.. and won't.

The reason they do it is because if they say "today's terror threat level is orange.." It makes them seem like they have information, or they know what is going on. It is a joke.

Answer 7

It was a recommendation borne out of the 9/11 report. Demanded to be implemented by the Liberals in Congress. It serves no purpose other to inform you of the suspicion of terrorist activities.

Answer 8

I am one who is big on government cover ups and conspiracy theoeries. yes, I just think it is to see how many people will be scared to not want to come out of there house because they are afraid every second of the frigging day. I think it is just a ploy to make everyone afraid. The government does alot of things to try to control us... but it is up to us whether we want to belive it or not. Its funny how we are on "terror alert" but an "attack" has not happened since 2001. funny aint it?

Answer 9

I'm not one for conspiracies generally, but I do think it odd that we heard the terror threat level every day, it seemed, right up until the 2004 election. And then... well, it kind of dropped into the background.

Answer 10

absolutely, the terror threat is yet another tool to maintain a near-frenzied state in the population and is akin to the nightly death toll read on media outlets. the maintenance of terror is explicitly to generate support for the modern day holocausts that are palestine, iraq, afghanistan, and now lebanon. insightful question!!!