Threat Levels

There have been a lot of complaints that our system of color-coded terrorism alerts does not provide enough useful information. When Ridge or Ashcroft issues a new threat alert, they never specify the targets. Will it be kidnapped prisoners? Random bystanders? Home invasion sprees? Wedding parties in the desert?
Well, give me a break! Obviously, If we give out too much detail about an immanent threat, the targets are going to be ready and waiting for us–making the whole mission unacceptably dangerous to US forces.
Frankly, I think they ought to be grateful that we give any advance warning at all! You don’t see Al Qaeda giving out the location and nature of their next attack.