# What are we supposed to do different now that we're Orange? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 21, 2003, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-we-supposed-to-do-different-now-that-were-orange/220376 "2003-12-21T22:22:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-we-supposed-to-do-different-now-that-were-orange/220376/1 "2003-12-21T22:22:19Z")
This is asked only half-jokingly. Originally I was going to ask this as a full on joke, but then I went over to The Official Terror Alert Homepage and this is how they explained what the raise in the level means to me, personally: [From the US Department of Homeland Security.](http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/) > [@](#): > > In addition to knowing that homeland security professionals at all levels are working to keep our communities safe, we ask individual Americans to do a few additional things during this time of heightened alert. I have said it before - and I am saying it again - homeland security begins at home. Never has that been more true. Your awareness and vigilance can help tremendously, so please use your common sense and report suspicious packages, vehicles, or activities to local law enforcement. So at Def-con yellow I, as A Good American, should be only slightly aware of and semi-viligant about suspicious things? Or does it mean I should be more suspicious of all things and when we reach Def-con Red I should be super-paranoid and abandon all common sense? ---
**Author:** ![BellaDellaItalia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/fbc32d/32.png) [@BellaDellaItalia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BellaDellaItalia)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-we-supposed-to-do-different-now-that-were-orange/220376/2 "2003-12-21T22:46:51Z")
Semi-vigilant is a good thing. ---
**Author:** ![Vlad\_Dracul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/50afbb/32.png) [@Vlad\_Dracul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vlad_Dracul)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-we-supposed-to-do-different-now-that-were-orange/220376/3 "2003-12-21T23:32:59Z")
“When in danger, or in doubt– Run in circles, scream and shout!” ---
**Author:** ![beagledave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6de8d8/32.png) [@beagledave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beagledave)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-we-supposed-to-do-different-now-that-were-orange/220376/4 "2003-12-21T23:58:27Z")
Why don’t we ask [Ernie](http://www.geekandproud.net/terror/)? ---
**Author:** ![Sylkyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/da6949/32.png) [@Sylkyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylkyn)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-we-supposed-to-do-different-now-that-were-orange/220376/5 "2003-12-22T00:14:29Z")
I hope we don’t have to do much. I have been working part time for a catering company during the holidays (in addition to my regular, full time job) and I’m so sore and tired today I really don’t feel like going to a bomb shelter. I’m just getting too old for these 15 hour shifts. If the terrorists pull a stunt today, they can just have me. I’ll be in this chair or my bed (if I can move) when they get here. Seriously, though…doesn’t this happen during the holidays anyway? I mean, the threat of increased terrorist activities? Of course we are far more aware of them maybe going postal (since 9-11) but I vaguely remember reading that these threats always increase during the holiday season. Feel free to correct me if I’m mistaken. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-we-supposed-to-do-different-now-that-were-orange/220376/6 "2003-12-22T00:38:54Z")
If I remember from the last Orange Alert, aren’t we supposed to stock up on Duct Tape and Plastic Sheeting so we can seal up our houses in case of biological attack? ---
**Author:** ![Kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-we-supposed-to-do-different-now-that-were-orange/220376/7 "2003-12-22T00:52:45Z")
Here’s the list from the LAST [Orange Alert](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=185156&highlight=orange+alert). ---
**Author:** ![Algorithm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/algorithm/32/12204_2.png) [@Algorithm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algorithm)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-we-supposed-to-do-different-now-that-were-orange/220376/8 "2003-12-22T05:23:09Z")
Yeah, so we’re at **Orange** Alert now, try to act accordingly. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Horseflesh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horseflesh/32/7502_2.png) [@Horseflesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horseflesh)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-we-supposed-to-do-different-now-that-were-orange/220376/9 "2003-12-22T06:05:41Z")
Think orange thoughts. Stock up on carrots. Eat orange sherbert. If you see anyone in an orange jumpsuit, it’s probably an escaped prisoner. We’re not worried about them, just terrorists. Everyone is suspect, no one is safe. I peeling your orange. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-we-supposed-to-do-different-now-that-were-orange/220376/10 "2003-12-22T06:17:27Z")
\*\*Well, us pilots were given a list of things. Most of it doesn’t apply to me, especially since I _do_ have the creeping crud and am going nowhere near an airplane until I’m better. Bunch o’ flight restrictions and procedural things to fly in certain areas. In addition to the usual “be vigilant” caution. If you’re really curious, you can see for yourself at [www.aopa.org](http://www.aopa.org), among other places. Basically, there is little you _can_ do. Aside from having standard emergency supplies like food, water, flashlights, batteries, first aid supplies, and the like stashed away. Said supplies will do for natural disasters and multi-state blackouts as well, so regardless of the alert color you should have that stuff on hand anyhow.\*\* ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-we-supposed-to-do-different-now-that-were-orange/220376/11 "2003-12-22T08:14:36Z")
Be afraid… Be very afraid. If you’re not afraid the terrorists have one. ---
**Author:** ![Skeezix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/839c29/32.png) [@Skeezix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skeezix)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-we-supposed-to-do-different-now-that-were-orange/220376/12 "2003-12-22T08:49:27Z")
[Groucho] If the terrorists had one, I’d have a reason to be afraid. [/Groucho] Actually, now that we’re orange, aren’t we supposed to be making candy, and singing goofy songs about chewing gum and eating too much? ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-we-supposed-to-do-different-now-that-were-orange/220376/13 "2003-12-22T10:53:45Z")
I carry an M-16 on my back, locked and loaded. I do the low-crawl from my house to my car. But other than that, pretty much business as usual. ---
**Author:** ![Drastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Drastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drastic)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-we-supposed-to-do-different-now-that-were-orange/220376/14 "2003-12-22T11:47:16Z")
Have your papers with you and ready to present at all times. ---
**Author:** ![Chavardz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/91b2a8/32.png) [@Chavardz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chavardz)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-we-supposed-to-do-different-now-that-were-orange/220376/15 "2003-12-22T12:07:07Z")
Please people, some seriousness? This is a really grave situation, we were put on orange alert because… uhm, I forget. Why was it? Oh yeah, increased traffic in the intelligence community. Maybe everyone was wishing happy holidays. I really feel this was just a wake up call. Sorta like a fire drill. Of course, terrorist could barge in any second. Hmmm… hey **ccwaterback** , you got any extras? ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-we-supposed-to-do-different-now-that-were-orange/220376/16 "2003-12-22T12:19:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Chavardz \* > \*\*Hmmm… hey **ccwaterback** , you got any extras? \*\* I just need to drive down to Walmart and pick up a couple boxes of ammo and some more camouflage makeup. I hope there isn’t too many damn smiley faced Christmas shoppers hanging out there. Don’t they know there’s an orange alert going on here? I scream it in their face and try shaking them into reality, but it just doesn’t seem work. God damn kid behind the counter wanted to know what I needed 400 rounds of ammo for, I told him, Jesus Christ haven’t you read the news? The goddamn commies are invading!!! ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-we-supposed-to-do-different-now-that-were-orange/220376/17 "2003-12-22T12:40:02Z")
Go out and buy a Hummer. One of the older ones, that were like twice as wide as a normal car. Then go down to your nearest army base and pick up a .50 caliber machine gun and/or missle launcher and mount it on the roof. If you see any terrorists, start shooting. Oh, and please don’t use those weapons on the slowpokes in rush-hour traffic. It’s a $50 fine and two points on your license. ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-we-supposed-to-do-different-now-that-were-orange/220376/18 "2003-12-22T12:59:47Z")
Find something for Secty Ridge to do - he’s got waaaay too much time on his hands. ---
**Author:** ![Uvula\_Donor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e19adc/32.png) [@Uvula\_Donor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uvula_Donor)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-we-supposed-to-do-different-now-that-were-orange/220376/19 "2003-12-22T14:53:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ccwaterback \* > **God damn kid behind the counter wanted to know what I needed 400 rounds of ammo for…** Slacker. I go through 400 rounds at the range just to warm up for the _real_ shooting. If you were _really_ prepared you’d be buying ammo by the _case_. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-we-supposed-to-do-different-now-that-were-orange/220376/20 "2003-12-22T15:01:04Z")
> [@](#): > > What are we supposed to do different now that we’re Orange? Put on bowler hats and march around? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-we-supposed-to-do-different-now-that-were-orange/220376.md?page=2)