quasify

Bennie G. Thompson (D-Mississippi), Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security sent a letter (best letter ever) to Michael Chertoff asking him to clarify his ‘gut feeling’ that the US will face a terrorist attack this summer.

What color code in the Homeland Security Advisory System is associated with a “gut feeling?” What sectors should be on alert as a result of your “gut feeling?” What cities should be asking their law enforcement to work double shifts because of your “gut feeling?” Are the American people supposed to purchase duct tape and plastic sheeting because of your “gut feeling?”

I think some people are missing the point, saying Chertoff is stupid or ineffectual at his job (although, there’s a point of fact there). This is all part of a scare strategy that we’ll see more of as we move closer to the election. The software industry is full of people implementing the exact same strategy, sometimes purposefully and sometimes because they really believe in it - it’s all just FUD.