Duct tape nation

In some cities, particularly on the East Coast, supplies of duct tape quickly sold out.

Human nature being what it is, if the government says, "Get this to be safe," and suddenly the item is no longer available -- that just tends to increase the anxiety level. It got so bad that Tom Ridge, secretary of the newly-created Homeland Security Department, had to come out on Friday to try to calm the national jitters.

"People do not need to start sealing their doors or windows," Ridge stated.

Nevertheless, images from across the nation showed anti-aircraft batteries set up all across Washington, D.C., and heavily-armed military and police personnel patrolling many public places. Members of Congress were advised to gather up supplies and sensitive documents and be ready to evacuate.

Authorities also advised employers across the land to be on the alert about their own longtime employees -- who, we were told, could be terrorist plants, biding their time (yeah, that friendly guy who's been at the desk next to yours for years) before suddenly striking.

In Seattle, gas masks -- which most experts say offer relatively little protection -- were reportedly selling quickly at military surplus stores.

This alert may already be part of our national lore. To quote the old phrase, "it would be comical if it weren't so serious."

But the image of people filling shopping carts with duct tape and sheets of plastic recalls another saying. Really, when the government says "jump," should the response from the nation's citizens simply be "how high?"

Let's face some realities, and they're not all pleasant: Gas masks, duct tape, and plastic are not an answer to terrorism. By the time an airborne pathogen is detected, odds are it's already too late to do anything about it. So the advisory about buying this stuff can probably be put under the heading of "psychological salve."

On the other hand, it's always wise to have some basic plans in mind and survival kits at hand. Even if we lived in a world where there were no terrorist threats, an earthquake or a flood or some other natural disaster is always possible. The power could go out for several days or weeks; the heat could be off. So it's smart to have a stockpile of necessities close at hand: jugs of water, some food, fire extinguisher, warm clothing, flashlights, a battery-powered radio for information on the outside world, and fresh batteries.

It's also essential to talk with your family members about where to meet in the event your home is no longer viable during an emergency.

Those are smart, common sense ideas. But as for the duct tape, well, no thanks. And if that's the best our newfangled Department of Homeland Security can do, God help us.

JB