Representative Christopher Cox, Republican of California and chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, said the Ashcroft-Mueller news conference mistakenly led some to believe the nation's threat level had been increased. He called it "regrettable" that Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge did not join Ashcroft and Mueller.
"Their separate public appearances left the impression that the broad and close interagency consultation we expect -- and which the law requires -- may not have taken place in this case," Cox said.
Boston.com article
"Their separate public appearances left the impression that the broad and close interagency consultation we expect -- and which the law requires -- may not have taken place in this case," Cox said.
Come on Chris, it's every man for himself out there in that jungle these days. If I were you, I'd take cover myself. Where have you been? You expect close interagency consultation? Isn't that what the whole shebang is about? No communication?
A Homeland Security Department spokesman, Brian Roehrkasse, reiterated yesterday that his agency has not seen any change in the "steady stream of threat reporting."
"We do not have any new intelligence or specific information about Al Qaeda planning an attack," he said.
Cassandra Chandler, assistant FBI director for public affairs, acknowledged that intelligence about the threat has been coming in for some time. However, she said it now is being backed by a higher degree of corroboration.
"We do not have any new intelligence or specific information about Al Qaeda planning an attack," he said.
Cassandra Chandler, assistant FBI director for public affairs, acknowledged that intelligence about the threat has been coming in for some time. However, she said it now is being backed by a higher degree of corroboration.
So, what color is the degree of corroboration alert now? Or is that a numerical system? Maybe prior to 9/11 we should have had a color-coded degree of corroboration alert, and we wouldn't be in this mess. Maybe that's what went wrong. Could somebody offer that point to the Worthless Commission? Maybe, we could use icons instead of colors - and when Rummy sees the missile level is up to four, then he could send in the troops. Or something like that. In fact, it could even be used to make specific appropriate war plans. If the alert is in missiles, then you send in the missile defenders, and if it's in little vials, you send in the chemical weapons guys.
Boy, I'm on a roll with the great ideas this morning. Make a path.
....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.
Update 10:00 am: Maru always does it better.
