FEMA Emergency Alert System Broadcasting Test is today; it's mandatory
By EvanHunter
@EvanHunter (4026)
United States
November 9, 2011 5:27am CST
http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/eas_info.shtm
This is a test only a test...or is it... Over the recent years under federal regulations the EAS has been hard wired into all media (radio/television) so that it is no longer voluntary but mandatory for every broadcasting station to comply. While this may insure that the system should remain up to date in case of a future emergency it also makes people wonder if this system can not be abused by the government and used to strip the freedom of the press away by a flip of the switch. Originally it was going to about 3 minutes but do to the outcry by the public they are now promising it will be right around 30 seconds. Do you think its a good or bad thing that the government can assume control of the nations media outlets anytime it feels like it, lets hear your opinion?
3 responses
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
10 Nov 11
The government has always had control of the media outlets. I learned that the media outlets originated from the government and they have often used it to sway us. I remember studying history and the original shows and movies were actually monitored and decided upon by the government based on how it would influence the people. They are sure influencing more than 30 seconds of our time.
@EvanHunter (4026)
• United States
14 Nov 11
Jen, I seriously think I am falling in love with you...a beautiful smile and brains with a level of discernment to look behind the reality we have been fed. You are too good to be true! Which invokes my paranoid side, after all when something is too good to be true it usually is....lol. Anyways enough of my psychotic ramblings, yes I agree with you it has been going on for a very long time I remember watching old black and white movies when I was a kid that were war propaganda films that were put out during WW2. I doubt that the government just gave up on influencing the public with movies after the war ended. In fact from what I hear it does still go on today.
@peavey (16936)
• United States
9 Nov 11
If I remember right (and I'm not sure about that), the EAS was put into effect back in the 50s, when we were concerned about the USSR, communism and nuclear warheads. It was to warn people (who then listened to radio more than watched TV) that there was a real danger. Tests were fine then, and voluntary, but most radio stations subscribed to them.
Now... the world has changed. What we feared from overseas is now in our backyard. Indeed, it's operating the very system we created to protect us from.
@EvanHunter (4026)
• United States
14 Nov 11
In reality it never would of given us any kind of warning anyways, the battle plans on both sides have always been to use a high altitude nuke at the onset of nuclear war to knock out as much communication as possible with the EMP. So we never really would of got any warning, all electricity would of went out and than minutes later...BOOM!
@peavey (16936)
• United States
14 Nov 11
Was that really so, even back then? We were taught what to do in the event of a nuclear strike. That's when the government started printing pamphlets on how to build a shelter and what to store there to survive long enough after a nuclear war. There was a lot they didn't understand then.
@laglen (19759)
• United States
9 Nov 11
There is never a time I agree with or support the governments seizure or assuming of anything. Will this some day be used against us? I have no doubt.
@EvanHunter (4026)
• United States
14 Nov 11
I have no doubt it will if people don't put a stop to it. Now lets forget about it and go back to watching reality TV...
