If NYC has been at Orange since 9/11, how is this new orange in NYC an increase?

Prior to Tom Ridge speaking, a couple of the major stations were saying sectors of NYC and WAS could be going to Red.

Has the christmas tree changed? Perhaps an Orange and then a Super Special Orange for NYC?

If there is indeed a specific threat, I commend the DHS for increasing the alert specifically to the few affected areas. It makes much more sense than taking the entire nation and going up to Orange everywhere.

However, I really don't buy into this color coded alert system and see it as a political tool. Afterall, elections are coming up and we need to make it look like Bush is doing a good job. Alert goes up, attacks are diverted, it goes down, and then Bush praises the system for working and his popularity goes up.

Perhaps there really is a credible threat, but the way the Bush Admin operates and the way the Christmas tree has flip-flopped in the past, I have a hard time buying into it. It's like the boy who cried wolf one too many times.

Ironically, I stepped into the office yesterday for a few hours, and a couple of us were debating how soon it would take for the alert status to go up now that the Democrats had their convention. I wasn't expecting it just yet, but I was expecting it just prior to the GOP convention.

As far as red goes, there is still some speculation in the press it might jump from orange to red.

All I can say is hopefully things will be more relaxed out in Jersey next week and again at the end of the month when the GOP has their convention as I'll be flying via EWR. I'll also be using NJ transit next week when I spend a day in NJ for travel between EWR and areas south. I've been offered a place to stay for the night in the Hamilton area, but I'm not sure if I want to be schleping my luggage around NJ Transit between this area and Hamilton (vs leaving it at a hotel and just making the trip down for an afternoon/evening).

I don't think NJ transit has lowered to the point of random baggage inspections and other forms of harassment yet? (in the name of security).

I'm not sure what affect these new alerts will have on airports, but I have a feeling during the GOP convention EWR has the potential to be a mess, especially US Customs when arriving from a middle eastern nation and having visited Muslim countries (in addition to transiting a Mulsim nation in the middle east, The United Arab Emirates, en-route to EWR) during my travels on this trip (in addition to Australia)... note: Will spend most my trip in Australia, but will be spending time in SE Asian nations prior to returning.

I'm not the least worried about my flights, transiting the UAE, or being in Muslin nations in SE Asia, but I am concerned about hassle re-entering the USA and and strict security... plus my day-trip into Manhattan will likely be a no-go because of the GOP convention as I have a semi-long layover on my return (long enough to go into Manhattan for a few hours from EWR)..

Perhaps I will try to go in to Manhattan and wear a Vote for Kerry / DNC shirt of some type. I was really planning on walking around for a couple hours and doing some quick shopping on my return in NYC. Thanks GOP!

Best,

SDF_Traveler