Posted (Van Santos) in Barack Obama on January-28-2010
If you missed it, President Obama gave the 2010 State of the Union yesterday evening (full text here) and there a number of things that really stand out:
One year ago, I took office amid two wars, an economy rocked by severe recession, a financial system on the verge of collapse, and a government deeply in debt. Experts from across the political spectrum warned that if we did not act, we might face a second depression. So we acted – immediately and aggressively. And one year later, the worst of the storm has passed.
First, let’s get past the blame game. While Bush moved the the United States into two wars, and the economic conditions the United States started as far back as 1999, Obama needs to take responsibility for his actions since he came into office – most of which have made economic conditions worse. Also, he has expanded the war. If the goal was the stop where is the contraction of troops?
Second, he did take office with a government deep in debt – 10T to be exact. In 8 years President Bush added roughly 5T in debt. In 13 months President Obama will have added 4T in debt. In roughly one year he managed to do what Bush need 8 years to accomplish. Blaming the administration before you for the US debt problems is disingenuous at best.
Finally, this is the second time the President has claimed the economic has come back from the brink. In the next two years, when it is obvious it has continued to move downward, what will he say?
They don’t understand why it seems like bad behavior on Wall Street is rewarded but hard work on Main Street isn’t.
This was bad behavior by Government, Special Interest groups, Banks, Politicians and normal every day citizens. Not just Wall Street… and it isn’t that Wall Street “seems” to be rewarded, they were while Main Street continues to be screwed.
To recover the rest, I have proposed a fee on the biggest banks. I know Wall Street isn’t keen on this idea, but if these firms can afford to hand out big bonuses again, they can afford a modest fee to pay back the taxpayers who rescued them in their time of need.
Fair enough, but why are you not proposing fees on the Automakers that obtained huge amounts of federal funds? Something to do with Unions, maybe?
Because of the steps we took, there are about two million Americans working right now who would otherwise be unemployed.
We’ve already talked about how there is no way to verify this number. NONE. The details behind these claims are very fuzzy, and when Mish @ GETA did some math on the subject it was clear the numbers didn’t add up.
Next, we can put Americans to work today building the infrastructure of tomorrow. From the first railroads to the interstate highway system, our nation has always been built to compete. There’s no reason Europe or China should have the fastest trains, or the new factories that manufacture clean energy products.
Fantastic for those in construction! Truly.
However, how many of the 1.2M business professionals, 455K hospitality professional, 2.1M manufacturers, 548K finance professional, or 200,000 IT workers are going to be building railroads? The continued push toward infrastructure projects ignores a huge segment of the unemployed population.
But the truth is, these steps still won’t make up for the seven million jobs we’ve lost over the last two years. The only way to move to full employment is to lay a new foundation for long-term economic growth, and finally address the problems that America’s families have confronted for years.
Ok… great… you realize that. So, what is the plan? We still are lacking a major plan.
The House has already passed financial reform with many of these changes. And the lobbyists are already trying to kill it.
Third, we need to export more of our goods. Because the more products we make and sell to other countries, the more jobs we support right here in America. So tonight, we set a new goal: We will double our exports over the next five years, an increase that will support two million jobs in America.
This will be a very interesting goal to watch.
First off, is he claiming to double the number of items exported or simply the dollar amount?
Second, since a doubling of exports (in dollars) has only happened once in a 5 year period since records started in 1960, I’m very curious to know how the government plans on doing this.
Fourth, we need to invest in the skills and education of our people.
HERE HERE!
I took on health care because of the stories I’ve heard from Americans with pre-existing conditions whose lives depend on getting coverage; patients who’ve been denied coverage; and families – even those with insurance – who are just one illness away from financial ruin.
…
But I also know this problem is not going away. By the time I’m finished speaking tonight, more Americans will have lost their health insurance. Millions will lose it this year. Our deficit will grow. Premiums will go up. Patients will be denied the care they need. Small business owners will continue to drop coverage altogether. I will not walk away from these Americans, and neither should the people in this chamber.
But you didn’t take on health care, you’ve taken on health insurance reform.
The underlying issues facing health care – litigation, big pharma, waste – need to be addressed first. Plain and simple. Anything less is politics and foolish policy development.
While an option should be available for those who need insurance it should not be forced down the throats of the American populous. Roughly 65% of the nation does NOT want your version of health care and the longer you do not listen to the people who elected you the less likely you will be re-elected.
Just remember Scott Brown… the voters were looking for someone they felt would listen and act on their behalf, not someone who was going to say “this is what you need. Why? Because I said so”.
Now, even as health care reform would reduce our deficit, it’s not enough to dig us out of a massive fiscal hole in which we find ourselves. It’s a challenge that makes all others that much harder to solve, and one that’s been subject to a lot of political posturing.
The CBO has stated it MAY, not that it would.
That said, logic must be used here. Medicare and Medicare are on the verge of bankruptcy, as is our nation, how can one believe adding 30 million people to the health insurance books will end up costing LESS than what health insurance costs the nation now all the while helping our financial condition?
It simply does not work that way.
Most of this was the result of not paying for two wars, two tax cuts, and an expensive prescription drug program.
Again, blaming someone else for your errors… however this is flat out incorrect.
From some on the right, I expect we’ll hear a different argument – that if we just make fewer investments in our people, extend tax cuts for wealthier Americans, eliminate more regulations, and maintain the status quo on health care, our deficits will go away. The problem is, that’s what we did for eight years. That’s what helped lead us into this crisis. It’s what helped lead to these deficits. And we cannot do it again.
…
Rather than fight the same tired battles that have dominated Washington for decades, it’s time to try something new. Let’s invest in our people without leaving them a mountain of debt. Let’s meet our responsibility to the citizens who sent us here. Let’s try common sense.
You’ve already blown past that one…. You cannot finance you way out of an economic collapse with 5T in additional debt. That, too, will lead to a crisis. One that has the potential to turn the current economic conditions look like a good time.
Since the day I took office, we have renewed our focus on the terrorists who threaten our nation. We have made substantial investments in our homeland security and disrupted plots that threatened to take American lives.
And is that why you refuse to call the two terrorists (Ft. Hood / Underwear bomber) by what they really are? Let’s face it, they ARE terrorists so if you have renewed your focus you should also be charging these individuals AS terrorists and not just common criminals.
Tonight, all of our men and women in uniform — in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world – must know that they have our respect, our gratitude, and our full support.
HERE HERE!
I campaigned on the promise of change – change we can believe in, the slogan went. And right now, I know there are many Americans who aren’t sure if they still believe we can change – or at least, that I can deliver it.
Your political decisions and personal actions both show that, no, you cannot deliver the change you promised the nation.
This was nothing more than self-worship and smoke and mirrors once again.
Posted (Van Santos) in Bullshit! on October-28-2009
I cannot believe the… self-indulging sense of importance Rocco Landesman and member of Obama’s administration have. Truly, I cannot. However, I guess the follow isn’t too far fetched from a group that asked artists to shill for the administration.
This is the first president that actually writes his own books since Teddy Roosevelt and arguably the first to write them really well since Lincoln. If you accept the premise, and I do, that the United States is the most powerful country in the world, then Barack Obama is the most powerful writer since Julius Caesar. That has to be good for American artists.
Really?
What about, I don’t know, say…
Leo Tolstoy
Mark Twain
William Shakespeare
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Now, assuming that Landesman meant that Obama happened to be a writer, not the best, per se, that commanded the most power due to his political position, what bout:
Winston Churchill
Adolf Hitler
Vladimir Lenin
I think the case could be easily made showing other writers as more powerful in terms of both ability AND political position. From where I sit, I’m not sure that is a good comparison to make right now.
Posted (Van Santos) in Barack Obama on August-18-2009
For some time now I’ve wondered what, exactly, was truly driving President Obama to reform health care with such urgency. While there is no debate that health care costs within the United States are out of control, a number of other topics need dire attention – more than health care. Social Security, anyone?
Let’s switch gears for a moment, go into the way back machine, to January 3rd, 2009, and read what President Obama said during a radio address:
That’s why we need an American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan that not only creates jobs in the short-term but spurs economic growth and competitiveness in the long-term. And this plan must be designed in a new way—we can’t just fall into the old Washington habit of throwing money at the problem. We must make strategic investments that will serve as a down payment on our long-term economic future. We must demand vigorous oversight and strict accountability for achieving results. And we must restore fiscal responsibility and make the tough choices so that as the economy recovers, the deficit starts to come down. That is how we will achieve the number one goal of my plan—which is to create three million new jobs, more than eighty percent of them in the private sector.
If one does some quick math, one will quickly see that President Obama looks to create 600,000 government jobs. I know, you are sitting there asking… “So?”
Well, take a look at the United Kingdom’s Nation Health Services system. They cover roughly 50 million people and…
Nationwide, the NHS employs more than 1.5m people. Of those, just short of half are clinically qualified, including some 90,000 hospital doctors, 35,000 general practitioners (GPs), 400,000 nurses and 16,000 ambulance staff.
This isn’t about providing coverage for the poor and under-insured, this is purely about politics. President Obama is pushing for the Health Care reform with urgency so that he has the ability to fulfill his campaign promise to create 3 million jobs by the next presidential election comes around. He wants to be able to point to this a proof that he did what he said he would, and he needs to do it now as the creation, development and execution of the plan would take the remainder of his first term.
Frankly, I don’t have a problem with this – IF – it is does with due diligence and care. Do I think that is possible, no? My issue is President Obama telling the American Public that he is looking out for them when, in reality, he’s just trying to get a second term in office.
Be straightforward with the people, Mr. President, we’ll respect you more for it.
For some time now I’ve wondered what, exactly, was truly driving President Obama to reform health care with such urgency. While there is no debate that health care costs within the United States are out of control, a number of other topics need dire attention – more than health care. Social Security, anyone?
That’s why we need an American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan that not only creates jobs in the short-term but spurs economic growth and competitiveness in the long-term. And this plan must be designed in a new way—we can’t just fall into the old Washington habit of throwing money at the problem. We must make strategic investments that will serve as a down payment on our long-term economic future. We must demand vigorous oversight and strict accountability for achieving results. And we must restore fiscal responsibility and make the tough choices so that as the economy recovers, the deficit starts to come down. That is how we will achieve the number one goal of my plan—which is to create three million new jobs, more than eighty percent of them in the private sector.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan was a flop, now the administration is looking to cover itself. If one does some quick math, one will quickly see that President Obama looks to create 600,000 government jobs. I know, you are sitting there asking… “So?”
Nationwide, the NHS employs more than 1.5m people. Of those, just short of half are clinically qualified, including some 90,000 hospital doctors, 35,000 general practitioners (GPs), 400,000 nurses and 16,000 ambulance staff.
This isn’t about providing coverage for the poor and under-insured, this is purely about politics. President Obama is pushing for the Health Care reform with urgency so that he has the ability to fulfill his campaign promise to create 3 million jobs by the next presidential election comes around. He wants to be able to point to this a proof that he did what he said he would, and he needs to do it now as the creation, development and execution of the plan would take the remainder of his first term.
Frankly, I don’t have a problem with this – IF – it is done with due diligence and care. Do I think that is possible, no? My issue is President Obama telling the American Public that he is looking out for them when, in reality, he’s just trying to get a second term in office.
Be straightforward with the people, Mr. President, we’ll respect you more for it.
As pointed out yesterday, the Presidential BS train for General Motors is on a roll. Let’s break it down:
WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- President Barack Obama said Monday that General Motors Corp.’s (GM) restructuring plan provides it an opportunity to emerge quickly from bankruptcy as a stronger company, but warned that fixing the troubled auto maker will take a “painful toll” on many Americans.
Me: What about the idea of capitalism? Why should the company even survive?
“Working with my auto task force, GM and its stakeholders have produced a viable, achievable plan that will give this iconic American company a chance to rise again,” Obama said in remarks at the White House.
Me: But what about the fact that this is due to years of mismanagement? How is screwing the debt holders, the investors, going to do anything to help? What about the fact that GM makes products that no one wants?
“I will not pretend the hard times are over,” he added. “Difficult days lie ahead. More jobs will be lost. More plants will close. More dealerships will shut their doors, and so will many parts suppliers.“
Me: Hey, suppliers – get ready for bankruptcy and liquidation as you are not getting a bailout.
The government will inject another $30 billion into GM to help it get through the bankruptcy process, an investment that will pump the government’s ownership position in the company to 60%. Obama repeated that the government is a ” reluctant shareholder” with no interest in running the company’s day-to-day operations.
Me: So the public will have pumped 50 billion into the company for what? If they have no interest in running the day to day why are the dictating what dealerships stay open, what models should survive and talking about price caps?
Obama defended government loans to GM and Chrysler as necessary to stave off a collapse that would have been “devastating” for the U.S. economy.
Me: Bull! The stock market knew GM was bankrupt months ago and reacted in kind. The economy seems to have already factored in the collapse (cause that is what this is). The suppliers are going to get screwed and the initial impact has already been felt.
“Understand we’re making these investments not because I want to spend the American people’s tax dollars, but because I want to protect them,” Obama said.
Me: Protect the tax dollar by not SPENDINGthe tax dollar, let business sort the problems out on its own.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Thomas Donohue said his group is concerned that GM’s new owners in Washington could put politics ahead of sound business decisions.
Me: This is about Union votes, plain and simple.
In addition to the U.S. government’s 60% stake, Canada and Ontario will own a 12% position in GM. The remaining shares will go to the United Auto Workers and bondholders.
Me: And current debt holders get nothing except about 1/10 of what they should be getting (with the option to BUY more of the new company) If the U.S. owns 60%, when will I be getting my dividend check? Where do I sign up to attend the shareholder meetings?
Obama said none of GM’s stakeholders are receiving special treatment, saying that the United Auto Workers is making “painful sacrifices, on top of all that they’ve already done.”
Me: You are joking, right?
He said unsecured bondholders, who agreed to swap $27 billion in debt for up to 25% of GM’s equity, will recover “substantially more” than they would have without government help or if the company had been liquidated.
Me: Pure speculation with no evidence to support said claim.
“I instructed my auto task force to treat all of GM’s stakeholders fairly and to ensure that this restructuring was carried out in a way that was consistent with past precedent. And it was,” Obama said.
If he means “creating a liability for tax payers” then “carried out in a way that was consistent with past precedent” is correct. Oh, and what is that “Viable” plan for GM’s success? Is it to give every taxpayer 40K to run out and buy a GM car? You cannot force people to buy something they don’t want.
Seriously – the government should have no role in this.
Before I start, I want to establish one thing – If a contract was broken on the part of Carrie Prejean, yes, the crown should be taken away from her. Trump determined that this was not the case.
“If she were a very nice looking young woman, if she were an average woman, if she were an average man, if she were a great looking man, it wouldn’t have mattered, nobody would have cared because this subject has been discussed by everybody from politicians, presidents, everybody. If Carrie weren’t so beautiful, this would never have come,” said Trump. “Carrie is totally beautiful, and her answer, because of that, took on greater importance. Unfortunately, that’s the way the press works. You should be ashamed of yourselves.”
Trump also defended the answer Prejean gave at the April 19 Miss USA pageant. She was asked her view of marriage by blogger Perez Hilton. Prejean said she believes marriage is between a man and a woman.
“It’s the same answer the president of the United States gave,” Trump said. “It’s the same answer many people gave. She gave an honorable answer. She gave an answer from her heart, and I think for that she has to be commended.”
Look past the beauty comments and you’ll see Trump is right – it IS the same answer that the President of the United States gave. Frankly, if the answer was such a political hotcake, and if there was ever a person to go after for making such a comment would be the President, wouldn’t it?
Oh, no, that’s right… the media doesn’t go after people they favor.
Bottom line – All along I’ve maintained that the attention Carrie Prejean has received was based on her views on gay marriage and nothing to do with semi-nude photos. The media/people with agendas were making attacks while hiding behind guise of “freedom of speech” in order to limit Prejean’s freedom of speech. Yes, Prejean is a public figure and is open to the attention that comes with such a status, but there is questioning what one has and then there is attacking…
I asked it before and I will ask it again – Do we want to let a segment of the population rip others apart simply because they do not agree with what was said? If what someone says isn’t criminal speech, why do we, the general public, allow such behavior to take place?
While I do not support Prejean’s views, the manner in which the press acted, in my view, is deplorable.
Posted (Van Santos) in Just Stuff on January-20-2009
All I can say is “WOW!”
The inauguration was highly impressive on a number of levels. On a very basic level, watching the ceremony unfold, with barely a glitch, in such perfect manner was very impressive. Take into account the history that was unfolding, add in the sea of humanity, and you have the perfect recipe for a modern day drama.
I was quite impressed with the class President Obama showed during todays events. While our nation faces a number of uphill battles, he did not place blame with any one specific person or political party. He did move away from the political attacks in hopes of bringing the country together and, I believe, in a number of ways he did. While I found his overall message to be less positive – and more realistic – than I had expected, he provided a message that resonated with the masses in general.
I do have a major problem; however, with something that took place today. The crowd was booing when VP Cheney and President Bush were introduced (and, yes, they were still the VP and President at the time). If you have a problem with the former VP and President I fully support you and your views, but you simply do not boo. This isn’t a free speech issue, it’s a respect issue – respect for the Office of the President – not necessarily the person. You respect the position. When you disrespect the Office, you are disrespecting the nation, and it only shows the ignorance that still is within our society today.
Again, best of luck President Obama. You have a huge task in front of you.
Stock Market
At the beginning of the year, all of Twenty days ago, I was concerned about how quickly the stock market was rising . The DOW almost reached 9100, and it was acting as if no recession was gripping our economy. Bad news would come out, the DOW would go up. Good news would come out, the DOW would go up even faster. The market was enthusiastic for no real reason, and now it has a huge hangover. Today the DOW dropped 332 points, closing below 8000 for the first time in 2009.
Yes, the news looks scary once again. The survival of US banks are in question. Will Bank of America survive? How long will it be before The Royal Bank of Scotland will be fully nationalized? What company will go bankrupt next? Look past the obvious bad news and you can see good news. REALLY good news, actually.
Take a look…
IBM posted a profit of $3.28 for the quarter – .$25 higher than expected. Not only that, IBM expects to make $9.20 per share for the 2009 fiscal year, up $.45 from what was previously forecast. Johnson and Johnson posted quarterly profits 14% higher, though they expect 2009 figures to be flat. CSX – the rail transportation company – posted a profit of $.90 per share, a whole penny less than expected.
The earning are there and better than expected from some of the economic bellwethers. I’m not saying the economy isn’t in the crapper, nor am I saying everything will be fine tomorrow, but I do believe that the market has swung to low too fast.
Essentially, I think the stock market is way oversold and is trading on emotion, not on the reality of the current situation.
Pilates, I have a new found respect for you
Today was the first day of my workout routine and Pilates was on the docket. I doubted the effectiveness of a Pilates workout… until today. For a 17 minute workout I felt the “burn”, as it were, and I was sweating up a storm.
Seriously, I was very surprised and I cannot wait for the next workout… oh, and I’m down to 162.5 pounds, down 6 pounds in about two weeks. There is no target weight I have in mind, I simply am taking better care of myself and it seems to be working.
Erasure Pop Remixed!
I had the chance to listen to a promo copy of Erasure’s “Pop Remixed!” and I can officially say that I am disappointed. Really, not trying to sound negative or unsupportive, but the remixes are really… thin… weak… uninspiring.
Here is a quick breakdown.
Always – The Manhattan Clique remix doesn’t embody any of the original – outside of the vocals, nor does it do the song justice. I’ve never understood the fascination Erasure has with Manhattan Clique as their work never seems impressive.
Drama! - Really, you would think that Andy Bell would honor his own song in little better than this.
A Little Respect – Hello bad late 90’s Euro Trance music
Fingers and Thumbs – The full remix is long and, at times, seemingly pointless. Worse yet, the remix uses a vocoder on Andy’s voice… The edit version is OK, but nothing impressive.
There was such potential here but my fears, I believe, have been realized….
Posted (Van Santos) in Just Stuff on January-19-2009
Tomorrow Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States and has a daunting task facing him come 12:01 PM. He steps into office with an economy that is deep in recession, unemployment rising on a seemingly weekly basis, foreign conflict continually erupting and a Democratic party that seems to be at odds with him over several issues. Still, at this point the man can do no wrong.
Obama’s pick to be treasure secretary, Timothy Geithner, forgot to pay income taxes for 2003 and 2004 even though he signed an employment agreement saying he would do so. Bill Richardson, his nominee for Commerce Secretary, had to withdraw his name from consideration because of a Grand Jury investigation. The Obama team was well aware of the investigation, so why even pick him? Or take Rahm Emmanuel, the incoming White House chief of staff, who has already been linked to the Rod Blagojevich scandal. Camp Obama won’t even explain the level of detail that Emmanuel did/did not talk to Blagojevich.
Why hasn’t the press, or the public, demanded answers from the incoming president? Why hasn’t the press jumped all over Geithner for not paying taxes? How can someone who forgot to pay their taxes be trusted to the the Treasury Secretary? Why hasn’t anyone truly pointed out the inconsistencies from Camp Obama on the Blagojevich scandal?
It’s all about hope….
The general public has hope that Barack Obama can take on the financial crisis the world is facing. People believe that Obama can “clean up” the image the United States in the eyes of the world. The public hopes he can fix the situation in Iraq, and the nation hopes that Barack Obama will move away from the politics of scandal, leading the nation on a new path of leadership.
It’s funny, however, that the very actions the nation is enraged over – the deception, and the dirty politics of the current administration – are already taking place but no one seems to care. People are willing to overlook the “little” things simply because they have hope for the future with Obama. Even if we give Obama a pass on his missteps now at what point do we stop compromising our beliefs in what is right for the potential of what could be? If a year from now the economy is in worse condition, will we be willing to look past the potential scandals?
While Barack may do no wrong in the eyes of the public (for now), how will the stock market react? Will the market be awaiting a new era with baited breath, like the rest of the nation, or will the realities of our current economic situation triumph? It will come down to the tone Obama sets. The market needs something to hold onto, some hope that the government has a plan to address the ills of the nation.
But does he? That is what the market will want to know, and they will want to know very quickly. Also, if the market continues to trend lower, does that indicate there is little faith in what Obama plans to do?
At roughly Noon Eastern, Obama will be sworn in, and I’ll be watching, but his polish my wear off very quickly if he do not live up to the standard he has set.
Blagojevich put a ‘for sale’ sign on the naming of a United States senator; involved himself personally in pay-to-play schemes with the urgency of a salesman meeting his annual sales target; and corruptly used his office in an effort to trample editorial voices of criticism.”U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald
“I had no contact with the governor or his office and so I was not aware of what was happening, ” Obama told reporters today in Chicago. “It’s a sad day for Illinois. Beyond that, I don’t think it’s appropriate to comment.”
U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald is not implying there is a connected between president elect Obama and Blagojevich. There is, however, a conflict between what Obama said yesterday about having no connection with Blagojevich and naming the next Senator.
Look at what David Axelrod, Obama political consultant, previously stated:
Axelrod also came out yesterday saying he previously misspoke and that Obama/Blagojevich had no discussion regarding the open Senate seat.
With all the other topics facing the nation, I hope the media does not make a scandal out of what appears to be nothing. More harm than good would come out of such a situation. If Obama did break the law the, yes, he needs to be held accountable but I would NOT want to see such a situation…
For the last 10 years I have been an active investor in the stock and options markets. During my time I’ve seen three significant downturns (2000, 2002 and 2008), and if there is one thing investing taught me it comes down to this – uncertainty creates fear. If Wall Street doesn’t understand where the market is headed stock indices tend to react with major volatility.
The idea that uncertainty creates fear isn’t solely confined to the financial markets; I believe this is a normal human reaction. Think about it… if an individual is uncertain about what may happen they begin to protect themselves today because they are unsure if they will be able to do so tomorrow.
Take corporate America for example…
Here we have MegoCorp, a Fortune 10 company. It turns out, due to economic conditions, MegoCorp will miss profit numbers by 10% and management is in a panic. As of a result of the confusion, different members of the senior executive team are not speaking with the same message (uncertainty) and a rumor begins – layoffs are coming. Now middle management begins to take action to “protect” their turf (fear).
Cross-divisional projects are hastily cut to save the budget of one area without giving thought to the impact of another division. Different teams begin holding information from each other due to the misguided belief they are creating a competitive advantage for their own area, and before you know it morale in MegoCorp has hit an all time low. Not only is the business now in danger, workforce productivity has dropped, which will only deepen the misfortunes the company is facing….
The MegoCorp example happens all the time, and cases exist when companies never regain their former glory after such events, but with the understanding that uncertainty creates fear, when I hear mixed messages, I begin to take notice.
General Michael Hayden, director of the CIA, this week acknowledged that there were dangers during a presidential transition when new officials were coming in and getting accustomed to the challenges. But he added that no “real or artificial spike” in intercepted transmissions from terror suspects had been detected.
Passage two
Lord West of Spithead, the Home Office Security Minister, spoke recently of a “huge threat”, saying: “There is another great plot building up again and we are monitoring this.”
Passage Three
Intelligence chiefs on both sides of the Atlantic have indicated that such warnings refer more to a general sense of foreboding than fear of an imminent or specific plan.
Passage Four
“As far as we know there is nothing from the intelligence world to indicate that anything has changed dramatically in recent months to put us on alert for an attack at the moment,” a source said. The present threat level is “severe”, which is the second-highest alert status. But a senior counterterrorism official suggested last month that this should be regarded as “the severe end of severe”.
So, which is it?
Are government officials in the UK and US simply saying it’s business as usual, just be aware that anything can happen, or is there “another great plot building up again and we are monitoring this.”
Again, mixed messages are a good way of creating uncertainty, and that is exactly what security officials in the US and UK are doing. In times filled with enough fear as it is, how will such messages be interpreted by the general public and what will the collective impact be?
