Thursday, July 07, 2005

Trains, Planes & Automobiles In the wake of the train and bus bombings in London, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Cherthoff has raised the alert level for US mass transit systems. "The United States government is raising the threat level from code yellow, or elevated, to code orange, high, targeted only to the mass-transit portion of the transportation sector," Chertoff said. "I want to emphasize that: targeted only to the mass transit portion of the transportation sector." This includes Los Angeles, which, contrary to its stereotype, actually has a moderate-sized subway and light rail system and a very extensive bus system. Of course, the great majority of LA's commuters still spend their travel time behind the wheel -- where the only terrorist attacks they have to worry about are freeway snipers and carjackers. 4:01:59 PM