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On 2 August 2004, Tom Ridge, Secretary of Homeland Security, said they have evidence of terrorist plots to damage financial namesakes in Manhattan. The greatest threat Ridge says is use of vehicle type bomb.
Washington DC's threat is elevated to orange too. But the city grid of Washington is wide open. To enter or leave Manhattan, every vehicle must use either a bridge or tunnel. Should Homeland Security’s threat be true, why would the National Guard or Armed Services personnel not inspect every vehicle entering Manhattan?
Yes, such an inspection would be inconvenient to motorists; however, public transportation into Manhattan is a viable alternative from all points out, and offers no incovenience whatsoever.
In anticipation of Homeland Security's higher alert, one would think a vehicle inspection is a slight inconvenience for the well being of Manhattan. Government officials do not agree -- any truck and or automobile may drive into Manhattan unchecked, right now, this very moment. The door of opportunity is wide open.
Think about this. "Go about your business, be vigilant and report any suspicious activity," is the Homeland Security rule of thumb. I've seen suspicious activity... as I've told my family in California over this past weekend, my street now has two men living in their parked cars in front of my building. That is suspicious to me, although not out of line. These men are trying to find work, and in keeping their expenses low have decided to live in their vehicles. Suspicious to me that the greatest economy on earth includes professional men living in their vehicles while Homeland Security issues warnings.
What is Homeland Security doing to prove they are protecting us with more than a press release? Nothing. If the threat to Manhattan were true, inconvenience would be a way of life. If the threat is politically motivated to increase emotional attachment to dependency upon Homeland Security and thus the George W Bush administration; they are either stupid enough to think we (in Manhattan) believe they have our best interests at heart, or I am stupid to think that such a high threat would warrant a serious inspection greeting travelers into Manhattan.
A group of security guards at the American Stock Exchange have no control of who drives up to their building. While they can control and do inspect every vehicle entering the parking area, a truck bomb does not require a basement garage to cause severe damage by simply detonating on a public street. We witnessed the awesome power of truck bomb in Oklahoma City. If the threat is indeed true, why would we turn our back on vehicles entering Manhattan?