Defenestrating Thoughts from the Bivouac

Apparently the government is considering changing or getting rid of the ridiculous color-coded terrorism alert system. The system has five colors, but the bottom two (blue and green) have never been used, while the top (red) was only used once. So, aside from that one time, for the past 9 years, the level has been either “High Risk” or “Elevated Risk”.

So, what should I do differently if we’re at “High Risk” as opposed to “Elevated Risk”? I’m not sure anyone knows, which, of course, severely limits the system’s usefulness.

But, fear not. The Department of Homeland Security is setting up a task force to look into it:

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will appoint a “task force” made up of national, state, and local government experts, possibly including governors and mayors, to examine whether the color-coded system has outlived its usefulness. Bush administration officials who developed and oversaw the system may also play a role. The committee is likely to solicit comments about the alert system from industries affected by it, including airlines and companies that make or ship hazardous materials. The committee will have 60 days to examine the system and draw up recommendations on its future.

Since it’s a “task force” and not an “tiger team”, you know they mean business. :-P