Starting last Thursday, the U.S. Homeland Security Department began phasing out the color-coded terror-threat system that was created after September 11, 2001. The system will end completely by April 26, 2011. The national level has been at yellow (elevated) since 2006, with air flights being at orange (high risk).
Hopefully, in the future, anyone born after today will not know anything about this system. For posterity, here is a popular culture explanation of the meaning behind all of the colors:
* Red: severe risk: When we are at this level, it is like the days when we thought the communists were taking over and were going to attack. Panic time. (The movie Reds, starring Warren Beatty.)
* Orange: high risk: This level is like being locked in prison. You cannot go anywhere. (“Orange Blossom Special” at San Quentin, by Johnny Cash.)
* Yellow: Elevated – significant risk: When you are at this level, it is a little bit better than being in prison, as you may leave your room, but you still cannot go out. It is like being in a submarine. (“Yellow Submarine” by the Beatles.)
* Blue: Guarded – general risk: It’s better than the options above, but you’re still a little sad. (“Blue” by the Jayhawks.)
* Low (green): low risk: This is a happy level, like living with puppets. But it’s not easy to get this green level. (“It’s Not Easy Being Green,” by Kermit the Frog.)
In all seriousness, I recommend the movie and the songs above. But if you only watch one, check out “Blue” by the Jayhawks. It is a great song with an introduction by a very young Jon Stewart.
Here’s to hoping we never hear anything more about terror levels again.
Will you miss the terror colors? Leave a comment.
I’ll only miss the humor that the terror levels inspired.
Btw cousin, you’re going to have to just make a list of movies I need to watch. My boyfriend is doing the same; I’m just not a movie person but apparently I can learn and watch some really interesting and thought provoking story lines.
PS: LOVE the Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine”
Thanks! I love the Jayhawks.
Thanks for the comments!
Sonja, regarding you question about a list of movies to watch, I’ll have to think about it. But a good starting place is Roger Ebert’s Great Movies (both on his website and in three books). I’ve loved the books and they have led me to a number of discoveries. Here is his list of “the First 100” Great Movies. I’d suggest reading descriptions of some of the movies and seeing which ones sound interesting to you and then go from there.
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=greatmovies_first100
The terror level thing was the most “1984” aspect of the Bush administration. I won’t miss it.