HOMELAND SECURITY DIRECTOR TOM RIDGE ISSUES NEW AMBIGUOUS SECURITY WARNING
(Press conference transcribed by Will Heyniger)
RIDGE: It has come to our attention that something bad may happen to some part of the United States, at some point in the future, anytime from an hour from now to the 22nd century.
REPORTER: Can you be more specific?
RIDGE: We have an idea where it might be, but we don't want to cause a panic.
REPORTER: Will it involve an explosion?
RIDGE: Possibly. Or, it could involve plastic picnic forks. The threat information we have is of a general nature. We urge caution and concern on the part of the American people generally. Go about your lives, but in a way that is cautious and concerned.
REPORTER: Will it be a big city or a small town?
RIDGE: It could actually be on a road in between a city and a town. Or on a farm. Or a city, or perhaps a village, or even a hamlet.
REPORTER: Is it the botulism?
RIDGE: The what?
REPORTER: This threat you're talking about -- if you can't actually say it, can you pantomime it? Is it larger than a breadbox? Is it a vegetable?
RIDGE: It could be small. Very small. Or big. Very big. Big as the whole planet.
REPORTER: Could it be another planet hitting our own?
RIDGE: We're not ruling it out.
REPORTER: Are you saying Bin Laden has other planets?
RIDGE: The threat information we have is of the sort that it gives us credible reason to believe that there is a danger to many people, possibly a great deal of people, in various places, perhaps even people under the ocean, in submersible vehicles.
REPORTER: Fish? Are we talking about a giant fish? Can you whisper it under your breath? Can you draw a picture?
RIDGE: Ladies and gentlemen, I'm afraid that's all the time we have.
Copyright (c) 2001, Will Heyniger |
