Vague Terror Alerts Issued in Response to Flagging Support for Bush

Attorney General John Ashcroft said at a news conference that intelligence reports and public statements by people associated with Al Qaeda suggested that the terrorist group was "almost ready to attack the United States" and harbored a "specific intention to hit the United States hard."

You know what? If they've got enough information to state with any kind of certainty that al Qaeda is "almost ready to attack the U.S.", then they've got enough information to stop it. These latest warnings are nothing more than political ploys.

"There's no real new intelligence, and a lot of this has been out there already," said one administration official who spoke on the condition of anonymity. "There really is no significant change that would require us to change the alert level of the country."

And yet Asskkkroft has no qualms about using nebulous terror alerts for the benefit of BushCo. Public opinion regarding BushCo flagging? "Look out! Terrorists!" Shit hitting the fan in Iraq? "Look out! Terrorists!"

Asked about the timing of his new warnings about the suspects, Mr. Ashcroft said, "We believe the public, like all of us, needs a reminder."

In other words, "the polls indicate that none of you are remembering that you should be afraid and that the only person that can protect you is Führer Dunderhead!

Mr. Bush's campaign responded by saying that Mr. Kerry "has played politics with homeland security throughout this campaign."

Ha! So, raising concerns over terror threats for which there is no credible evidence after Bush's approval ratings plummet and just as his re-election campaign is kicking off isn't playing politics?