Ap News Line
by:
Kilgore Trout
Washington DC
10/3/2004
Ridge Announces Security Alert for Washington State
In a press briefing on Sunday, Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge announced that the terror alert level for the state of Washington had been elevated "We have credible intelligence that terrorists are planning a major seismic event in, or surrounding, Mount St. Helens. We urge everyone to remain vigilant in this time of increased danger." Experts say that this week's surveillance rumblings indicate a major event may be right around the corner.
The tremor chatter Sunday was milder than the previous day's, which prompted geologists and security experts to raise the volcano alert to Level 3 and the Terror Alert to Red, indicating a terrorist eruption could occur within 24 hours. In an address from the Rose Garden, President Bush portrayed a leader with confident war-time leadership, "Let them, you know..., we want em to know that we're keeping an eye on them. America is strong, stronger than ever, and it's essential that we keep a steady resolve course through this history, this historic dates, days, these."
Officials at the CIA say the Mount St. Helens attack could be imminent. Not since 1980 have officials seen the evidence of a potential major event. " It may not be as bad as then, but there could be some spectacular happenings" says an unnamed source at the Pentagon. "We are hoping that by raising the alarm bells we can hopefully quell the potential disaster at Mount St. Helens."
Although Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry was unreachable for comment, vice presidential hopeful John Edwards blasted the administration for the warning, "These alerts are becoming more and more suspicious as it becomes clear they seem to correspond more closely with politics than with intelligence reports." Others chimed in with criticism. Democratic strategist James Carville had this to say, "I don't see what all the fuss is about. We have intelligence that's decades old, I mean listen guys, this ain't new. This is just another desperate attempt by the Bush administration to govern by fear." After a brief pause, he added, "Well I think it's about time we realized who we should really be afraid of. And that's the President."
Although the color-coded Security Alert scale has come under fire, Tom Ridge defends it's use, "Well, things were different after Sept the 11th. We live in a new world. But it's one in which a brave America will overcome global terrorism and protect and keep secure all that we hold precious." When asked what if any modifications should be made to the scale, he replied "Ah, well, none actually. The alert system is fine. I think it's effectiveness is plainly obvious."
Others aren't quite so sure. "Clearly the color system is a fraud. And what would the terrorists do to the mountain anyway?" asks presidential hopeful Ralph. "Sure, they could put explosives in it, or maybe they actually have a secret base in the mountain somewhere like in that James Bond movie, but you won't hear Kerry saying anything about. It's becuase he and Bush are both slaves to their corporate masters. Get ready for for four more years of the same old routine."
"We have to remain vigilant" Bush said, "We can't let them take away what's important to us. We can never let go of freedom and let them use fear to run us around. We're better than that." When asked about recent criticism from democrats about how he has conducted the War on Terror, he adamantly replied," Now, uhm, let me make something clear, we don't bargain with terrorists like some would like to do. We don't need permission to fight terrists. Unlike some, we aren't afraid to protect this great country. You can't possibly hope that you would be safer without me in office-" The press conference was cut short due to technical difficulties.
Residents of Washington are still on alert as of print time.