The Gut Feel of a Terrorist Attack

This is not the typical Prudent Money post. However, I watching Fox News and the ridiculous commentary on Michael Chertoff. Homeland Security Chief Michael Chertoff made the statement on Wednesday that he had a "gut" feel that a terrorist attack was imminent. He has caught a great deal of criticism for making these statements. The argument is that someone in his position shouldn't make these types of "fear based" statements without any factual information. He should make statements that are credible based on fact. If there is specific information, give the American public the information.

First, the homeland security agency cannot give specific information. They have to stay very vague. Think about it for a second. Let's make public everything that they know so the terrorists can be a bit more informed. They cannot share everything that they know. Second, I think that you have a guy who is bombarded with all of the risks. At the least, he wants to send an indirect warning.

I would take his "gut" very serious. This guy sees what is happening. We don't need to know the details. We just need to know that the risk is higher today than usual.

Unfortunately, people in politics want to take this and use this to their own agenda. Terrorism is a very real thing. To just pretend it is not there is the risk.