Unless you’re watching “Star Trek,” and Captain Kirk is shouting “red alert!” the color-coded warning system established after 9/11 has become meaningless.
We’re pleased to hear reports that Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is organizing a task force to study alternatives to the so-called National Threat Advisory system, which, despite its intentions to alert travelers and citizens to possible dangers, has proven too vague and subject to ridicule.
Presently, the risk level is set at middle-of-the-road “yellow,” or “elevated.” Unless, that is, you’re flying. Then it’s “orange,” which represents a “high” risk. (Orange you glad it’s not “red”?)
Though we haven’t had any domestic attacks since 9/11, and have flown gazillions of miles without harm, we’ve not even had a single day of “green” or “blue” alerts, which would suggest a “low” or “guarded” threat level.
Half a dozen times since the system has been put into place, the national level has been raised to “orange,” according to The Washington Post. Some critics have noted that some of those elevations occurred conveniently at times the Bush administration needed a distraction.
If we’re going to have a warning system, it ought to be more relevant.
The on-the-ground rating of “yellow” means a “significant risk of terrorist attacks.” “Orange” means a “high risk of terrorist attacks.”
And the ultimate “red” rating? “Severe risk of terrorist attacks.”
If the threat level remains high even when public perception of risk is low, the result is rather like having the boy who cried wolf following you around.
Napolitano’s idea is to craft a system that provides clearer information to the public, and information that can be better targeted to areas and industries.
We hope the results create a system based in reality. Leave the flashing lights to Captain Kirk.
