Comments on: Chertoff’s Gut Says Summer Terrorist Attack

By: PoliBlog ™: A Rough Draft of my Thoughts » The Homeland Secretary and His Gut

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 23:02:09 +0000

[...] as James Joyner notes, there really isn’t any particular seasonality to AQ [...]

By: B. Minich

B. Minich — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 20:07:36 +0000

So, we've gone from color coded, precise warnings from DHS to the feeling of the secretary's gut on this. This doesn't inspire confidence. Although, this being the internet age, I think someone is going to combine the two into a color coded "Michael Chertoff's gut warning system" for terror.

By: Anjin-San

Anjin-San — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 19:26:22 +0000

Perhaps we could use "double-secret surrender" to sow confusion amongst the enemy...

By: Garth

Garth — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 19:21:25 +0000

Doesn't it seem like there should be some way to keep the terrorists from following us home? Perhaps we could sneak out? Or maybe we could take a round-about path back home with frequent doubling-back and trips to and fro across small streams? Or possibly we could disguise ourselves with elaborate camouflage?

They'd probably still smell our fear though.

By: esoterically.net/weblog

esoterically.net/weblog — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 18:28:20 +0000

A gut feeling...

Homeland Security chief warns of ‘increased’ risk�
Fearing complacency among the American people over possible terror threats, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said in Chicago Tuesday that the nation faces a heightened ch...

By: Anjin-San

Anjin-San — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 17:52:14 +0000

How can we be in danger? Bush has the terrorists pinned down in Iraq, where we are a hunting and a killin' them, fighting them there instead of in Omaha.

We are only in danger if we surrender, in which case they will follow us home...

By: DC Loser

DC Loser — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 16:47:56 +0000

Chertoff's trying to have it both ways. If nothing happens, he gets the credit for DHS doing a bangup job. If something happens, then he can point to his "gut feeling" as vindication. He knows DHS can't stop everything and will be blamed with something happens.

By: Anthony C

Anthony C — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 16:28:54 +0000

My gut says it's time for a cup of tea.

But then, that's the default setting.

By: Triumph

Triumph — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 16:14:56 +0000

Countdown to complaints about fearmongering for political purposes starting now… …Three, two, one…

What do you mean, "countdown," Dave? James essentially points out that this has been the modus operandi of the office of DHS Secretary:

Still, I agree with John Amato that going public based on “gut instinct” is irresponsible and rather pointless. Tom Ridge, the first DHS Secretary, routinely publicized reports of “chatter” and held regular press conferences to unveil the latest movements in the color-coded Terrorist Alert Level charts.

By: John Burgess

John Burgess — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 15:31:19 +0000

Dhahran 1996 is laid at the feet of Saudi Hezbollah, not Al-Qaeda. I haven't seen any documentation showing an Iran-Al-Qaeda link dating to that period, but I guess it's possible. Dave: too late!

By: Dave Schuler

Dave Schuler — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 15:07:46 +0000

Countdown to complaints about fearmongering for political purposes starting now…

…Three, two, one…

By: The Liberty Papers

The Liberty Papers — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 15:05:47 +0000

Gut Feelings And Terror Warnings...

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff tells us that his “gut” tells him that we may be in danger of terror attacks this summer:
Fearing complacency among the American people over possible terror threats, U.S. Homeland ...

By: markm

markm — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:44:21 +0000

"There’s not much to go on here"
Is there ever?. From what i've read it seems that "chatter" picks up, money moves around, some people go underground....but we never know where, when or how it will happen. That said, it seems silly to me to announce a gut feeling.