The Billiken's Bluff

I was having a fun time at work today. I was Googling Coogi Sweaters, posting digital photographs, and pretending to be Andre 3000 (And in response to Damon Stoudamire, neither Andre 3000, nor I smoke any herbals whatsoever). But as usual the current politic climate (And no I'm not refering to the Global Warming of Friday's release of The Day After Tomorrow) begs to be scrutinized.



John Ashcroft and the good folks at Homeland Security have issued an ominous warning regarding a potential al-Qaida terrorist attack in the upcoming months. They did not raise the terror level warning, but just wanted to let the American people know to know that something is afoot.

Ashcroft and Mueller asked state and local law enforcement and the public for help tracking down seven people thought to be connected to al-Qaida. "All [seven] present a clear and present danger to America. All should be considered armed and dangerous," Ashcroft said. Obviously, if these 7 people pose a serious threat to the nation's security law enforcement officials should be provided with their pictures, and as much information as possible so that they can go about apprehending these individuals. However, I wonder what role Aschcroft would like the public to play in this terrorist-hunt? Is Homeland Security going to place the face's of these 7 people on milk cartons, or better yet Heinz ketchup bottles? Is that the way in which Homeland Security wants the American public to contribute in the fight against terror? I feel like Ashcroft has a slightly different idea of how the average American can chip in, VOTE BUSH!

These ominous warnings return the nation's attention to terrorism at home, and away from terrorism, and blunders abroad. President Bush is banking on the fact that come election time the American public will remember that he is strong on terrorism.

The article on Yahoo-

"Some law enforcement and firefighter union representatives, supporters of Democrat John Kerry (news - web sites) for president, suggested that the timing of the threat report was suspicious because of polls showing a sagging approval rating for President Bush. International Association of Firefighters President Harold Schaitberger told reporters in a conference call that the intelligence has been in the government's hands for weeks. "

I realize that terrorist attacks in the US are a real threat. And I'm sure Ashcroft and co. do have credible information that will help them defend against it. But issuing vague warnings about imminent threats, is not of any help to the American public. Does Aschcroft want to start a witch-hunt having wary American citizen turn in their Arab neighbors who bare a resemblence to one of Stealth-like Seven? Or does he just want to stir up a healthy amount of hysteria, to distract the populace from Bush's political weak spots.

"The president believes it's very important to share information appropriately," McClellan said. "We do that in a number of ways when it comes to looking at the threats we face here in the homeland."

I've always been a citizen of the United States who is fairly agile and has cat-like reflexes. Now that I am armed with the gem of information about a clear and present danger (great film by the way) I will be ready to stop, drop and roll, dodge stray canister of sarin nerve gas, and look at unattended briefcases with a suspicious eye and a raised eyebrow. I will also vote for Bush because he is strong on terrorism and considerate enough to inform the populace about potential threats. WHAT WAIT A SECOND! Scratch that, I got entranced by Ashcroft's Vulcan Mindmeld for a moment. I'm telling you people, do not look the man directly in the eye.

But we here at Billiken want to do our part, so here is the picture of the clear and present dangers, maybe someone in the populace will actually find one of these terrorists.