What Color Is Your Gut Feeling?

It's good to have a Democratic Congress. Although we all enjoy criticizing the Bush administration, it's reassuring when someone with a bit more standing joins the parade. Last night, I mentioned Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff's warning that he had a "gut feeling" that the country was at a greater risk for terror attacks than we'd been recently. I was hardly the only blogger to pick up on that, of course, but somebody else was paying attention, too. Representative Bennie G. Thompson, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, wrote Chertoff a letter.

What color code in the Homeland Security Advisory System is associated with a "gut feeling?" What sectors should be on alert as a result of your "gut feeling?" What cities should be asking their law enforcement to work double shifts because of your "gut feeling?" Are the American people supposed to purchase duct tape and plastic sheeting because of your "gut feeling?"

The Committee on Homeland Security has repeatedly emphasized the importance of getting specific, actionable information to our first preventers in law enforcement and other emergency response providers. I urge you to follow up on your "gut feeling" and share whatever information our nation's first preventers need to be on alert and prepared.

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Mr. Secretary, I urge you to clarify your comments by providing concrete direction to the State, local and tribal stakeholders and if necessary make the required changes to the Nation's threat level to ensure that the American public can take the necessary steps to protect their families, businesses and communities.

You can read the whole letter on the blog of the Speaker of the House (I swear, it's faster these days to count all the people who don't have a blog than those who do). If you click over, take a look at the whole blog, which has a lot of interesting material.