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.