Homeland Security experts are blaming probable excessive alcohol consumption among Al-Qaeda members for the lack of an earth-shattering, soul-crushing, make-you-wish-you-were-born-dead terrorist attack expected last week over the New Year’s holiday. Despite the recent elevation of the nation’s security level to code orange (“Citrus-Flavored Death”), the New Year was rung in without incident, excepting the usual rash of DUI fatalities and celebratory gunshot deaths that are customary for this time of year.

Despite the lack of festive atrocities, few can blame Western governments for a lack of preparation. Security was tighter than a duck’s ass at New Year’s celebrations all over the United States, with precautions taken to ensure that only revelers too drunk to carry out sophisticated terrorist plots would be allowed to attend.

Security was especially tight-assed in Las Vegas, where field reports indicated security was also especially high and obnoxious. Thanks to FBI warnings that Al-Qaeda thinks Las Vegas is “tacky,” security considerations for Fox’s annual “America’s Party” televised concert and shmoozeapalooza at the Venetian Resort Hotel/Casino bordered on the Orwellian. In an especially innovative precaution, Fox held a fake New Year’s Eve celebration on Dec 30th, complete with a diversion concert to draw out terrorists unfamiliar with American traditions and the “Thirty days hath September” rule. Unfortunately, this security measure failed due to a lack of starpower so blatant even foreign nationals unfamiliar with western culture noticed. The faux-bash, headlined by 80’s holdovers Dexy’s Midnight Runners, failed to elicit the terrorist onslaught hoped for by Homeland Security heads and music fans everywhere.

“It wouldn’t have been that hard to fool these guys into thinking it was a real New Year’s countdown party,” bitched reveler Danny Postum. “Hootie and the Blowfish probably would have been good enough, or the Pretenders. I’m just pissed I bought tickets to the wrong fucking concert.”

“What is with this bullshit?” asked Aman Halazi of Jordan. “We get better bands than this in Jordan. I could pull a better concert out of my dick-hole.”

Due to the unconvincing ruse, many of the bands and celebrities scheduled to appear at the actual New Year’s celebration sent celebrity impersonators and sound-alike bands in their stead, a move that might have proved controversial if anyone had noticed. Metallica, Ashanti and Paris Hilton could not be reached for comment, but all seemed pissed that their impersonators had all parlayed their appearances into lucrative recording and television deals.

Meanwhile, aviation officials for British Airways have cancelled all flights between London and Washington D.C. since New Year’s Eve amidst credible threats of a plane-based attack on the American capitol. Frustrated travelers, however, have been calling for evidence of the threat and proof that the pilots aren’t just too hungover to fly.

“The threat against Britith.. British Airwings is real and evident,” announced FBI spokesman Walter Hammel, wincing from a post-New Year’s hangover. “Several names on the passenger manifolds for recent flights have match… oh Jesus… uh, matched those of gnome terrorists.” Hammel quickly excused himself as he sprinted in the direction of the men’s room.

While the names in question turned out to belong to an elderly Chinese woman, a six-year-old boy and a chain of donut shops, British defense analyst Paul Bever insisted the threat was real.

“Oh yeah, totallyabigdealok…” slurred Bever, reeking vividly of rum.

“Oh Jesus,” moaned a remorseful Hammel, passing through the room in a daze. “I just took a shit they’re going to write folk songs about. Get out of my way.”

Meanwhile in America, the FBI sent out a bizarre bulletin on Christmas Eve, warning police departments nationwide to be on the lookout for any potential terrorists carrying almanacs, fact-filled books that could conceivably be used in planning terrorist attacks.

“The FBI cautions you to be on the lookout for suspicious characters seen in possession of almanacs, maps, Cliff’s Notes or volumes of Encyclopedia Britannica,” the statement read. “We also advise you to detain anyone asking for directions.”

“Look, let’s not get carried away here. They’re not saying you should shoot to kill the first time you see somebody with an almanac,” explained terrorism expert and terrible dancer Ted Heyman, in response to America’s collectively arched eyebrow. “A wing-shot should be plenty to put any fact-seeking terrorist out of commission until well after the holidays.”