Other critics appeared to doubt the authenticity of the threat, which has not led to the level of the national security alert being raised. It remains at yellow, indicating an “elevated” level of risk two degrees away from the red “severe risk”. – From the BBC

While government officials emphasized the importance of vigilance, they also said Americans should not panic. Ridge said Americans should enjoy the summer and “have some fun.” – From CNN

Is is very odd that the administration says “this disturbing intelligence indicates al Qaeda’s specific intention to hit the United States hard,” reveals the names and photos of suspected terrorists, does not raise the terror alert status and then tells us to go “have fun.” Mixed signals, eh? Could the Bush administration be using terror as a political tool? My, God! I’m shocked.