Homeland security drills...distraction through fear

[Joyce in the mts.]

From CLG http://legitgov.org/index.html#breaking_news

Huge Homeland Security Drill Planned

'Dirty Bomb' in Seattle, Disease in Chicago Part of Scenario for May 12 Exercise Dubbed TOPOFF 2 (for Top Officials), the exercise will cost an estimated $16 million and involve more than 100 federal, state and local agencies, the American Red Cross and Canadian government agencies and organizations.

MORE!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...-2003May4.html

RELATED

Radiological and Bioterror-Attack Exercise Starts May 12 (DoD)

"Citizens of Chicago and Seattle shouldn't become alarmed if they see 'space suit'-attired groups of people rushing around May 12."


MORE!
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/May2...200305054.html

******
I guess the big Fear-O-Meter (TM) isn't reading the level that will keep us distracted from whatever is really happening, or the polls are tanking, or, or, or...Joyce in the mts.

[JessicaS]

Ah heck, I really hope they are doubly informing the citizens of these areas about this. I just *know* someone is going to miss it on the news and duct tape themselves into their house...

[TiredX2]

>>>Also, people visiting local hospitals in Chicago and Seattle, Ridge continued, "may see some of the hospital staff wearing masks or protective gear as they treat these volunteer 'victims.'"
<<<<

Ummm... shouldn't they be dealing with real "victims." I hope we don't have any emergency needs on the 12th!

[merpk]

Not sure if I'm going against the grain here (no, Joyce, not reflexively disagreeing with you, really, truly :LOL) but am actually glad they're preparing for these things. Drills are a fine thing once it happens and the saving people realize they don't know how to save people.

I mean, the number of terrorist incidents in the last decade (in NY, anyway) is just high enough that it seems ... called for.

Because if it happens and the emergency folks aren't fast enough or prepared enough or whatever, the uproar about "why didn't you prepare" will be enormous, right?

Just rambling here.

[Joyce in the mts.]

Amy!

NO worries, Sister!

Point well-taken, AND they have created this climate where "wolf" may have been yelled once too many times in many minds, y'know? If folks chose to ignore it all writing it all off as more distraction and bullsh_t, well, who could really blame them, with the rainbow succession of alerts we witnessed?

(...and many would say and do feel that it is to the government's advantage to keep folks on the edge and vulnerable.)

On the other hand, knowledge is CERTAINLY power and sometimes survival. Preparedness also leads away from panic and fear. Practice does make perfect for sure.

No doubt it's a double-edged sword of the government's own making, and the choice is certainly up to the people of the communities where the drills will be occurring.

Have a sweet day, Amy!...Joyce in the mts

[Clarity]

drills are a fine thing when you know they're drills...a mayor's office called in a suspected hostage siutation is a city building (one where a children's abllet clas was going on.) Police, not told it was a drill, responded with swat (and guns drawn) and everything. No signs and barricades set up, people stopped and questioned not told it was a drill. The parents, outside the building were freaking out! Let alone the childred...with the fear and anxiety they've had since 9/11, someone though this was a good idea? I am FURIOUS. grrrrrrr drills. stupidity more like it.