The American SMS alerts are a good system, and when used correctly (by the traveller as well as the state dept.) has probably saved lives and avoided folks getting into situations they shouldn't have.
The flip side is that it breeds a sense of blind reliance on what information they're given. I experienced this in Istanbul in the years subsequent to the 2003 bombings - myself and a couple of other guys used to organise events for ex-pats, boat trips, parties, etc. Invariably, the complaints relating to event security always came from the American contingent, often on the back of a security warning issued by the consulate.
On one particular evening, we took over the top floor of a popular Nevizade bar and the place was bouncing. A group of Americans who were in the 'Bul for a short time started giving me a hard time over the fact we'd advertised not only the venue & time of the event online, but that we'd also highlighted it was foreigners only.
After having a mobile phone with some security warning on it waved in my face for the umpteenth time and again being told "Y'all should be taking more care of us" I'd had enough - I took this redneck across to the bar and introduced him to a slightly disheveled looking guy who was quite clearly p1ssed as a rat and having a great time.
"Here you go, this is xxxxxx and he is the xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx at the consulate in Yenikoy. He's the one that wrote your warning message."
Curiously, I didn't receive a "thank you" text or email from him for having facilitated a meeting between him and a concerned traveller visiting his city of employment. I've never wondered why.
JF