# Should we raise the threat level just because it's the 4th of July? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 2, 2003, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-raise-the-threat-level-just-because-its-the-4th-of-july/185818 "2003-07-02T17:32:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Antiquarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Antiquarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antiquarian)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-raise-the-threat-level-just-because-its-the-4th-of-july/185818/1 "2003-07-02T17:32:24Z")
Since 9/11 most holidays in the US have had elevated threat levels due to reliable evidence that terrorists were planning _something_. The [threat levels](http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?theme=29) were designed mainly for law enforcement to be on the look out. Mostly it is at yellow, but during major holidays it has risen to orange. I’m all for being extra vigilant as a citizen, and understanding that the risk is always there. There will always be people who want to kill American’s and instill terror. But should the threat level rise if there is no evidence of terrorist activity? Just because there is a holiday? My take is: Yes. Because a terror attack will most likely occur when we least expect it. Kinda like September 11, 2001. I heard via my cell phone. I was on a dig in Missouri and my fiance called me to tell me. I was horrified. Not a feeling I’ll forget. So what do the teeming millions think? I’m in Lansing Michigan right now enjoying an amazing Grinder from a deli down the road from where I’m working. I got the afternoon off!!! Ahhh!! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-raise-the-threat-level-just-because-its-the-4th-of-july/185818/2 "2003-07-02T17:47:51Z")
Nothing like a strong color to deter terrorism. I’m in favor of assigning colors to different countries so we know who to hate and fear at any given time. You know, green for the IRA and pink for the French (“How come I gotta be Mr. Pink?”), that sort of thing. A cowering populace is a controlled populace, and Ashcroft has a vested interest in keeping us looking over our shoulders: the more frightened we are, the more likely we are to abdicate our constitutional and civil rights in the name of “security”. Here’s a thought: how about a foreign policy that isn’t thought up by a frat boy and executed by flying monkeys? Perhaps a genuine understanding of other cultures and their problems is in order. But that’s just me. End of rant. ---
**Author:** ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-raise-the-threat-level-just-because-its-the-4th-of-july/185818/3 "2003-07-02T20:59:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Antiquarian \* > \*\*But should the threat level rise if there is no evidence of terrorist activity? Just because there is a holiday? \*\* No! :mad: ---
**Author:** ![cellardoor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e7dd6/32.png) [@cellardoor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cellardoor)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-raise-the-threat-level-just-because-its-the-4th-of-july/185818/4 "2003-07-02T21:08:55Z")
Living in dc i dont mind the risen terror alerts, especialy on holidays, i mean it may not do much for terror because what happens happens no matter what usualy, buthaving more police around does make you feel safer in general. ---
**Author:** ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-raise-the-threat-level-just-because-its-the-4th-of-july/185818/5 "2003-07-02T21:50:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cellardoor \* > \*\* buthaving more police around does make you feel safer in general. \*\* :dubious: Unless your name is Rodney King, I suppose. I could not resist… ---
**Author:** ![Ally424](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/82dd89/32.png) [@Ally424](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ally424)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2003, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-raise-the-threat-level-just-because-its-the-4th-of-july/185818/6 "2003-07-03T00:28:13Z")
I don’t understand how they even know when the “threat” level is high or low. I mean, did anyone predict 9/11 ? No. And around holidays everyone starts freaking, but 9/11 was not a holiday… ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2003, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-raise-the-threat-level-just-because-its-the-4th-of-july/185818/7 "2003-07-03T01:38:55Z")
> [@](#): > > Should we raise the threat level just because it’s the 4th of July? I dunno, who is it we’re threatening? Is it Iran or Syria? Are we more dangerous because it’s the 4th of July? ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2003, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-raise-the-threat-level-just-because-its-the-4th-of-july/185818/8 "2003-07-03T05:57:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Antiquarian \* > \*\*But should the threat level rise if there is no evidence of terrorist activity? Just because there is a holiday? > > My take is: Yes. Because a terror attack will most likely occur when we least expect it. \*\* Ah, I think you have a contradiction here. 🙂 With the Fourth of July, and the state of life we now live in, making an official announcement rasing the threat level might increase the Chicken Little cynicism I see developing. It seems to me that some significant day or event in America is already bringing an increased awareness of security. Officially raising the threat level won’t make much difference. However, a terror attack _when we least expect it_ should happen next Wednesday at 1:53 pm CDT someplace in America. Why? The date and time have no significance, meaning _when we least expect it_! ---
**Author:** ![MaryEFoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MaryEFoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaryEFoo)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-raise-the-threat-level-just-because-its-the-4th-of-july/185818/9 "2003-07-04T01:38:19Z")
No, it tends to undermine Americans’ faith in the validity of threat levels, which you may perceive is already kinda dubious. But more, it’s not just a color or a “citizens keep your eyes open” issue. Every time it goes up a level, a lot of expensive resources are re-deployed. Ie, Highway Patrol officers (or State Troupers, depends on your state) are put to monitoring bridges for instance. They are either pulled off their normal job, or paid taxpayers’ dollars overtime. Your state has already come up with how many officers are needed to do their existing job, which is to reduce the number of drunks and fools on the highway, and their associated deaths and maimings. Pls note, we need **competent** , but not excessive, methods of preventing both ills. Upping the threat level “just in case” has similarities to taking some antibiotic pills you have “just in case” you have anthrax.