Something Wicked This Way Comes

By the pricking of my thumbs - Something wicked this way comes. (Macbeth)

For the last few days, I've been having a "September 10th" feeling : a growing sense of unease about what the morning will bring.

The last time I had this feeling was September 10,2001.

While visiting my son and his family in Oklahoma , I started feeling an "irrational" desire to visit one of the local pawn shops and buy a rifle: "just something to keep in the camper".

I talked myself out of the idea ; but, 24 hours later , our nation was under attack ;and, not knowing what would happen, or what we would face on the 1400 mile journey home , I regretted being so damn "sensible".

It's now August 28,2006 , and I've got "that feeling" again - partly because there have been a number of barely-intercepted plots overseas, and partly because there have been a number of (what look like deliberate) "false alarms".

The FBI says they have "everything under control" ; but, as everyone knows , they said the same thing prior to 9/11 ...and they weren't even close !

Our nation is only somewhat more prepared for a national emergency than it was on 9/11 - or than it was one year ago , when Hurricane Katrina struck. ( If we can't deal with a predictable storm, how would we cope with something like a bio-attack ? Hell, even mentioning a bio-attack is a fast way to end a discussion !)

As you read this, please keep in mind it is being written by an old-timer , who may just be feeling reminders of his own mortality .

On the other hand, it wouldn't hurt to make sure you have a supply of bottled water, some canned food ,batteries, flashlights, candles , first aid kit, and whatever else you think might make life a bit safer or more tolerable in an emergency.

You probably stocked up right after 9/11 or Katrina, right ?

Right. That's two of us !