By Melissa Dykes

Citing dangers posed by ISIS, al-Qa’ida, and other terrorist groups, the U.S. State Dept. has officially issued a travel alert for all U.S. citizens, and this time, it is worldwide.

That’s right, folks. While the agency normally issues alerts and warnings into various specific countries, such as issuing an alert for travel to Sierra Leone during last year’s Ebola outbreak, for example, this time the alert is essentially for any time an American gets on any plane going anywhere.

The reason? “Increased terrorist threats.”





The alert says,

Current information suggests that ISIL (aka Da’esh), al-Qa’ida, Boko Haram, and other terrorist groups continue to plan terrorist attacks in multiple regions. These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics, using conventional and non-conventional weapons and targeting both official and private interests. This Travel Alert expires on February 24, 2016. Authorities believe the likelihood of terror attacks will continue as members of ISIL/Da’esh return from Syria and Iraq. Additionally, there is a continuing threat from unaffiliated persons planning attacks inspired by major terrorist organizations but conducted on an individual basis. Extremists have targeted large sporting events, theatres, open markets, and aviation services. In the past year, there have been multiple attacks in France, Nigeria, Denmark, Turkey, and Mali. ISIL/Da’esh has claimed responsibility for the bombing of a Russian airliner in Egypt.

The alert goes on to warn that we should “exercise vigilance when in public places or using transportation”; “be aware of immediate surroundings and avoid large crowds or crowed places”; and “exercise particular caution during the holiday season and at holiday festivals or events.”

In other words, every time we leave our homes to do pretty much anything this holiday season, we should first and foremost be scared of terrorists.

That’s right, because the alert does not expire until February 24, 2016 (they made sure to even include Valentine’s Day).

Anyone else starting to feel like we stepped into a time machine and went back to the months after September 11, 2001? What are they going to do next, warn people to buy duct tape and plastic sheeting for their windows and doors?

Or maybe they’ll start playing that Cold War archive film about how to Duck and Cover everywhere as a public service.

You know what’s coming next … that’s right. The color-coded fear chart.

I think it looked something like this: