May Mean Nothing ...

But interesting nonetheless. DHS Secretary Chertoff tells the Chicago Tribune his "gut feeling" is an increased risk this summer:

In an unusually blunt and frank assessment of America's terror threat level, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said in Chicago this morning that his "gut feeling" is the nation faces a heightened chance of an attack this summer.

"I believe we are entering a period this summer of increased risk," Chertoff told the Chicago Tribune's editorial board.

Calling it "a gut feeling" based on past patterns of terrorists in Europe, recent al-Qaeda statements and intelligence he did not disclose ... Chertoff said he is sure [al-Qaeda is] regrouping, retraining and rethinking.

All things considered, this is unsurprising. Count me among those who find it hard to believe we've gone more than 5 years without a successful terrorist attack.