Shutdown Theater Continues, AMBER Alert Site Redirected

Yesterday, it was noted that the AMBER Alert site run by the Department of Justice appeared to be the latest victim of the government shutdown. The AMBER Alert system instantly alerts local communities of child abductions. Attempting to check out the AMBER Alert site, results in this notification:

But that’s just the beginning of this twisted little story. As a fellow blogger observed, the root Department of Justice Programs site appears to be functioning just fine:

 

Sam Stein quoted an Administration official as saying “The alerts themselves are issued jurisdictionally – by county or state. So the alert system… is not affected by shutdown.”

So why redirect the AMBER Alert site?  Why make it appear as though the notification system meant to help locate abducted children is a victim of government shutdown? 

Someone went out of their way to redirect the AMBER Alert page to make it look like a casualty of government shutdown. At this time it’s not clear who gave such a directive, but what is clear is that redirecting the site was intentional. Let that sink in. Someone in this administration decided to redirect the AMBER Alert site, making it difficult to access information about abducted children in order to score political points. Missing children? Meh. Let’s redirect the sight to make it look like Republicans are responsible! So sick. 

Not to worry though, despite the shutdown kabuki, AMBER Alerts are available here and here. Additionally, your phone will scare the daylights out of you with alerts as they come through (they’re incredibly loud). 

 

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