Almost ten years ago, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched a new campaign with the catchphrase: “If you see something, say something.” Since that time, these words have become our national motto.

Interestingly enough, DHS borrowed this phrase from the NY Metropolitan Transit Authority, which had turned to an ad agency for help in finding a safety slogan shortly after the terrorist attack of 9/11. Reports of suspicious packages increased dramatically as a result of this campaign.  Whether terrorist attacks were averted is debatable but the concept of encouraging “loose lips” caught on. Unfortunately, when applied to a possible strike by a foreign power, the “something” that we should notice is rather vague and, therefore, limits the value of our motto. 

Mind Your Own Business

As a naturally curious person (otherwise known as a busybody), I find determining when to mind my own business and when to intervene perplexing.  Clearly, if I noticed my neighbor stock piling weapons, I would alert the authorities.   But recently, I heard of an incident which cast doubt on a previous decision to refrain from interfering.

Ken, an annoying yogi who I referenced in an earlier blog, abruptly disappeared from our yoga class.  He had been regularly participating and regularly annoying people with his disregard of physical space and his grunting and groaning during our practice.  

What I did not mention in my earlier blog post is that Ken dressed inappropriately.  He wore running shorts from the ‘70s: the kind that did not have an inner lining.  His short shorts revealed more than anyone needed to see during our early morning yoga practice.  Since I often soften my gaze during yoga, I was less bothered by Ken’s attire than my fellow yogis. I was, however, aware of the distress his skimpy attire created.

Many times, I considered talking to Ken about his behavior as well as his attire; but I chose to mind my own business.  After his disappearance, I learned that he had been charged with indecent exposure.  Although several of us assumed he was merely clueless and the exposure was unintentional, we’ll never uncover the truth. 

What I do believe is that had I confronted Ken in a compassionate manner, I may have been able to forewarn him and, possibly, forestall the incident that removed him from our facility.  I’ll never know if my intervention would have been effective but I do know that I didn’t even try.

Almost every day, we read about a heinous act committed by someone who went unnoticed.  I often wonder how many people observed something “off” about the offender du jour.  Although a few of us are very skilled at keeping secrets from others, most of us are not; we express our beliefs and opinions with great abandon.  We are, after all, in the age of oversharing. Like me, perhaps those in the know, decided to mind their own business.

Orange Alert

In March 2002, the Bush administration introduced a color-coded terror alert system.  Red was the highest level, indicating a severe threat of attack, while green was the lowest level signifying a low risk of attack. Between those levels were blue, yellow and orange.

This color-coded system was abandoned in 2011 after it proved unhelpful and unhealthy. Since we were perpetually in the orange zone, all that the system accomplished was making us fearful; it did not instruct us about how to stay safe. Mostly the system just wore down our adrenal glands.

Recently, Bill DeBlasio, mayor of New York City, beseeched New Yorkers to stay vigilant. After the ill-advised assassination of a revered Iranian General, retaliation was expected.  Mayor DeBlasio invoked the motto of our century: If you see something, say something.  Once again, we’re left wondering what that “something” is that threatens our peace.