The Post 9/11 Security Threat Level

Admittedly, pre-press chatter is intended to raise book sales, but I'm inclined to defer judgment until the book is out ["Tom Ridge on National Security After 9/11," usnews.com]. I'm assuming there are a few more pages of information than presented in the very brief synopsis? Am I a Bush hater? I wasn't a supporter. But I have respect for him as a former president of our country. That doesn't mean I don't think it's appropriate to evaluate some of the less acceptable aspects of his tenure. I think it's altogether plausible that infighting and less than noble motives shaped some decisions.

Comment by Marie Mahoney of IL

In 2004, the Democratic National Convention finished up on July 29. Predictably, John Kerry got an immediate boost in the polls. Three days later, Tom Ridge announced that the alert level had to be raised to "Orange." Pretty much everyone knew it was a politically motivated move at the time. It was the subject of cartoons showing the Bush administration's definition of "threat levels" based on the perceived popularity of the Democratic candidate (with red being defined as a "serious chance of a Democratic victory in November," if I recall correctly). Tom Ridge is telling us nothing new. He's just providing confirmation. Even that is barely necessary—or did no one notice that the reminders of our threat level basically vanished after the 2004 election?

Comment by D. Edward Farrar of DC

Add manipulating the national security threat level to assist Bush's re-election to the long list of crimes for which Bush, Cheney, and their cabal of neo-conservative war-mongers should be prosecuted, convicted, and sentenced to life terms. Attorney General Holder, do your job. Investigate and prosecute the numerous constitutional and criminal violations committed by the Bush-Cheney administration. This is the only way to restore the rule of law and the viability of our Constitution.

Comment by Justina of HI

I don't blame Ridge or the Bush people for anything done during their watch. They did what was in the national interest. And a Kerry administration would have been a disaster many times over.

Comment by Hamilton Bacon of DC

A person is often able to forgive another person's transgressions out of loyalty. However, anyone with half of a brain has their limits. Ridge reached his, as did McClellan, Powell, and a few others; I would wager Snow left for similar reasons (I don't think it was all about his failing health). The folks who lack intelligence and follow blindly, regardless of how badly they are getting screwed (Fox News viewers) will be loyal to the end. It brings in a lot of advertising dollars, but unfortunately it's very bad for America.

Comment by G. Garden of FL

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