fantomas
May 11 2005, 11:33 AM
Here we go again. The truth coming out, AFTER the fact. Thanks you, Tom Ridge. Is anyone surprised by Ridge's assertions? Didn't we skewer what was obviously a fear-mongering campaign over the last two years? WHY did so many people fall for it? Why does anyone afford the current administration *any* credibility whatsoever? (Didn't they recently trumpet the Pakistani capture al-Libbi was Osama's number 3, though it now turns out he'd been confused with another Libyan, al-Liby, and was only a mid-level operative???) They just never, ever tell the truth!
USA Today: Ridge reveals clashes over alerts QUOTE
The Bush administration periodically put the USA on high alert for terrorist attacks even though then-Homeland Security chief Tom Ridge argued there was only flimsy evidence to justify raising the threat level, Ridge now says.
Ridge, who resigned Feb. 1, said Tuesday that he often disagreed with administration officials who wanted to elevate the threat level to orange, or \"high\" risk of terrorist attack, but was overruled.
His comments at a Washington forum describe spirited debates over terrorist intelligence and provide rare insight into the inner workings of the nation's homeland security apparatus.
Ridge said he wanted to \"debunk the myth\" that his agency was responsible for repeatedly raising the alert under a color-coded system he unveiled in 2002.
\"More often than not we were the least inclined to raise it,\" Ridge told reporters. \"Sometimes we disagreed with the intelligence assessment. Sometimes we thought even if the intelligence was good, you don't necessarily put the country on (alert). ... There were times when some people were really aggressive about raising it, and we said, 'For that?' \"
[ May 11, 2005, 11:34 AM: Message edited by: fantomas ]
Joe in Philly
May 11 2005, 01:05 PM
We've always known Ridge to be a boob. Now we find he's gutless as well. He should've threatened to quit the post the very FIRST time they tried to manipulate the stupid color-code chart (which shouldn't even exist in the first place) for political purposes. And if he was overruled, he should have followed through. f**k him and all the other weasels who know that something wrong is going on, but keep their slimy mouth shut until well after they're out of the game and safely tucked away in some cushy private job.
sportinlife
May 11 2005, 01:22 PM
In a successul corporation one would expect there to be safeguards against ineficiencies caused by mid-level managers effectively creating situations to justify their jobs. It is safe to say those safeguards poor, where they exist, in this administration since the CEO has a poor business record himself.
How do we know there are not many in the administration taking advantage of the atmosphere of fear to push their selfish agendas?
millerbeach
May 11 2005, 09:48 PM
I just knew this was going on. It was waaaay too coincidental the way these alerts were issued like crazy just before the election and now, nothing. I can't even recall the last alert issued. I am sure it was before the election. How sad this government continues to play the fear factor with its people. How are we to believe anything this administration has to say? It's all one lie right after another. Is this the new American way?
PhillyFan
May 12 2005, 01:19 AM
Werent you guys making fun of the terror warnings?
Perhaps if the people of america trusted Kerry to take care of them, it would not have mattered.
Then again, i dont think i've ever paid attention to any of these...
Yet another...yawn...scandal... thats nothing.
I have a GREAT suggestion for ya'all... instead of worrying about something like this, why dont you encourage your party to get a platform? Why dont you encourage them to come up with their own Soc Security plan? How about a plan to attract voters? Get a plan that doesnt include the buster in the senate?
[ May 12, 2005, 01:23 AM: Message edited by: PhillyFan ]
millerbeach
May 12 2005, 11:54 PM
Gee, PhillyFan, maybe once we get our noses out of everyone else's business, we will be able to concentrate on domestic issues. Oh wait, that's exactly what the Democrats wanted to do. Oh my, where's your friend Hillary? I forget...the Republicans just want us to go around being scared over nothing and think about Terri Shaivo. Too bad no one believes these pretty little color-coded warnings. As we saw yesterday, these warnings don't mean a thing if a plane can STILL come within a mile and a half of the White House. All this fear, and still no safety. What a waste.
PhillyFan
May 13 2005, 01:40 AM
Domestic Agenda? Is that called a Fill-A-Buster-Beater?
Called the MINORITY...
but please, what is the domestic PLAN?
millerbeach
May 15 2005, 10:09 PM
You tell me...Bush has been in office for five years and his biggest cheerleader (PhillyFan) can't even tell ME what the domestic plan is under the Bush administration? Truly pathetic.
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