" Gut Feeling " ?

Question

Homeland Security's Chertoff has said that he has a 'gut feeling' that we may be hit by terrorists this summer . Now several less informed people have complained about this and I think we should stop and think . Chertoff is privy to much more information than any of us . And if there's much more 'chatter' and activity emanating from terrorists and their known means of communication like there was before prior terrorist attacks , then his 'feeling' is justified . Now some complain that if he does know something then he should say it and raise the alert level . Maybe , maybe not . He may not have details . Details of time , place , modus operandi , etc . So that puts him between a 'rock and a hard place' . Speak too soon and the left will call him a fear-monger . Speak too late and everyone will second-guess him , and the left will blame him and be rabid for blood .
If You Are Liberal , Democrat , Left-Wing , or Whatever , Would You Please Drop The Partisanship On This One Issue ??

NOTE : I meant to title this " Part One " . There will be follow-up questions regarding this issue .

To the first several answerers --- FYI , every senior Democrat agrees with Chertoff's assessment . I was just wondering if you knew that .

Answer 1

Hey I totally agree...... They can see increased chatter from terrorist channel's, but have no intelligence on a specific threat. I take Chertoff's words as a reminder not to forget the danger we face. Its easy to be complacent about being vigilant, especially since we have not seen another attack after 9/11 on U.S soil. You would have to be naive if you believe that terrorist are not interested in attacking us on our soil! They are itching to inflict heavy loss of life and damage of property and infrastructure. Its no accident that we have not seen another attack on U.S soil.

Answer 2

Home Land Security Chief Chertoff is doing exactly the right thing. He is doing a balancing act between informing the Nation of a Credible Threat, and creating a Panic. As Citizens, we must be vigilant. Know our Neighbors, be on speaking terms with our neighbors, and shear information, and be ever ready to report ANYTHING, or ANYONE that seems unusual. On my part, I council Christians to get serious about Intercessory Prayer, come together with Neighbors, in each others Homes and Pray for America. Join together in your Churches and Pray for America. Pray for President George W. Bush. Pray for Home Land Security Chef Chertoff. Pray for our Military Personal. Christians only Fail, when Christians Fail To Pray !

Answer 3

"Gut feeling" is not a helpful phrase. This administration is NOT good at public relations, at all.

But once I heard more of the facts underlying the statement - the level of chatter and activity compared to prior periods, etc. - it makes sense to me to mention it.

Different words should have been used. But that's elevating form (and criti8cism, getting one's "shots" in) over substance, and defending the country.

Had this not been mentioned, and an attack occurred, this would also be fodder for partisan complaints.

I try to ask myself if I would be as supportive of a president I did NOT vote for in the same circumstances. Hey, if the country voters someone in, we have to deal with them. Bush is not my favorite either at times!

I think too many have forgotten the horror of 9/11. Now the issue of mass murder on US soil - what was "unthinkable" for many until that day - is just another ho-hum debate topic for politicians, pundits and people like us. YOU or I could be the victims of the next attack. It's not fearmongering; it's just taking it seriously.

Too many people don't.

Answer 4

Gut feeling, Earnest? I will respect the guys right to have one but I will go with my own and of those near and dear to me!!Smile!
I believe we need to be vigilant but I refuse to live in fear.
The fear that people have now is moving inward. The more selfish a person becomes the more his own fears will blind him, his view of reality could become more narrow and distorted. This distraction is something that the spirits of evil will capitalize on and take advantage of the person to cause permanent damage to screen out God. To keep God away from someone the mind must be distorted, all spiritual influences have to be kept at bay or perverted. Fear is a way to cripple the mind. Fear, when properly understood, can also stimulate the mind to good works or more careful living!

Answer 5

Hasn't everybody got a gut feeling that we "may" be attacked by terrorists? Even in Australia we know that it could happen at any time so what's the big deal.
I would be horrified if your old boy came out with exact details of what he knows but fully expect that he and his fellow anti-terrorists will be on the ball when something happens. They got the last lot didn't they?

Answer 6

Dang, recently a plot was uncovered to blow up JFK airport, 2 car bombs were found it London, and a would-be suicide bomber rammed his vehicle into the Glasgow airport. We see a report today that Al Qaeda has regained the ability to mount terrorist attacks.
You know, I have a gut feeling that Chertoff's gut feeling is probably right, even the stupidest Liberal ought to be able to see that!

Answer 7

I do not envy our government having to deal with the problem of protecting 300 million people. Attacks within the U.S. from an outside enemy are a relatively new threat and we have still not perfected, nor are we apt to ever perfect our ways in dealing with it. If they say nothing about the threat, the government is apt to be criticized for the silence as before 911. If they say too much, they are criticized for using scare tactics. I assume that people in government positions are used to being criticized no matter what they do even for their choice in words.

Some are saying Chertoff made this announcement because he knew about the news that Al Qaida has regained the strength they had before 911 and he wanted to alert people before this announcement was made. Personally, I don't think it made any difference one way or the other. I am sure the Homeland security is trying their best to keep America safe. I don't agree with the foreign policy they are using, however, and it is my hope the whole scope of the way we are fighting terrorism is reconsidered.

Answer 8

I am shocked that you would defend this. Why is the head of Homeland Security telling us about a “gut feeling?” His job isn’t to divine but to provide intelligence, information and protection for the American people. Is our terror threat assessment now reduced to gut feelings from the head of Homeland Security? I experienced 9/11 first-hand and gut feelings aren’t good enough for me. If Al Qaeda is regrouping and expressing interest in European operatives then those are facts that would indicate cause for greater concern. Chertoff’s vague but "be scared" type of warning is irresponsible.

I have a gut feeling that Chertoff is incompetent. Actually, forget the gut feeling. My assessment is based on concrete evidence.

Answer 9

IMHO anyone who speaks out about Chertoffs gut feelings is just stupid and I dismiss them as sentient beings, mere useful idiots.

Answer 10

Earnest you have to understand the liberal mind on this one.
1) we are not to conduct surveillance.
2) our information should be perfect.
3)We should have the exact time and date of an attack with out any surveillance.
4) Liberals do not extrapolate information. They must be told what to think.
5) there can not be any terrorists here because Bush is the enemy and they can not envision anyone wanting to harm them other than republicans.

6) proof of my point-
B.S. That's just party grandstanding. A reminder we need to be afraid of terrorists.

People who are really concerned about suppressing terrorist activity know better than to hold press conferences to let their targets know they may be on to something. The people in intelligence doing the real work stay far away from the cameras. The others are just politicians doing political stuff for political purposes.