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THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE HAS APPEARED IN THE RECORD February 19, 2003

All is not well in the USA


If by chance you are considering a carefree holiday in Florida you might want to reconsider postponing it. If not, I suggest you avoid paying attention to U.S. domestic news reports and talk radio. With the prospects of war looming in Iraq and the enforcement of terror alert Orange this is hardly the time to expect a relaxed and laid back atmosphere.

It has been a month since we arrived in Florida and I must admit there have been times when I have felt rather edgy, certainly more so than during the pre- Y2K days. Admittedly, being a news buff hasn't made it easier, quite the opposite. Then again, I gather I'm not the only one. According to a recent survey the number of visitors to Florida has already reached a five-year low. Compared to last year, the figures are down by close to 10 percent.

Of course, as Canadians, we also have our very own brand of problems to cope with when traveling to the U.S., not the least being our Monopoly-like loony (at last count, a U.S. dollar cost $1.52), increasing fuel costs (50 cents more per gallon than last year) and high health insurance premiums, especially for senior citizens. If it were only a question of rising fuel costs and our weak dollar, I would have little reason to be apprehensive. Unfortunately, much has changed since our last visit to the United States. The heated controversy over the looming war has since divided our American neighbors. Tolerance to opposing opinions is proving to be a rare quality. Newspaper editorials and talk radio are replete with anger, rhetoric, gratuitous criticism and name-calling. Left wing, right wing, liberals or conservatives, it makes little difference. The antiwar segment of the population is accusing President Bush and his cabinet of being warmongers; the pro- war segment is accusing the antiwar segment of lacking loyalty and patriotism. Countries, which oppose the U.S. government's war policy against Iraq without UN support have become the target of verbal pot shots and insults that are not even couched in diplomatic language.

Almost from the day we arrived in Florida a succession of unsettling events began. Shortly after we hunkered down in the small town of Wachula, the government began the second round of inoculations against the smallpox virus. In case you forgot, this phase was prepared for the benefit of health workers, emergency personnel and law enforcement officers who may be on the front lines of a bioterrorism attack. The rationale is that unless they are protected they will be unable to protect the public. According to the experts a smallpox attack will make the anthrax attacks of last year seem like a trifle. Not long after we left Wachula for the Gulf coast, the U.S. government upped the terror alert to Orange. This was followed by stern recommendations that we stock up with batteries, water, duct tape, rolls of plastic sheets and at least three days of emergency rations. People began rushing to the stores, many without a clue as to what to do with tape and plastic sheets. At our nearby Wal-Mart, rolls of duck tape were flying off the shelves as if it were Boxing Day. The FBI also got into the act and referred to imminent chemical and radiology attacks. Then along came government warnings of the possible use of dirty bombs. If that weren't enough to rattle our carefree vacation attitude, last week we were all asked by Homeland Security authorities, via the media, to advise the local sheriff's office of any suspicious activity.

Keep in mind that we came to Florida like so many other tourists in order to enjoy the tropical climate and to forget about the snow, ice and sleet back home. I was also hoping to relax in a safe and friendly environment and continue writing. While Floridians and snowbirds alike are friendly and hospitable, one can only wonder how much longer this part of the world will remain safe.

Even if the U.S. government never meant to frighten the public, which is far from clear, it couldn't have done a better job at it if it had tried. What with the stream of frightening news reports it has become painfully clear that panic and fear can go a long way even in anticipation of an attack that may never materialize. To make matters worse on at least two occasions the government informants, who prompted the government to increase the color code alert, turned out to be liars. Under the present circumstances it seems all the more likely that only a handful of terrorists would suffice to create total havoc. After all, it only required two sharpshooters to terrorize the entire DC region for weeks on end. As for the terrifying Sept. 11 attacks, only 19 terrorists were involved.

It is quite clear that the United States, like Canada, will always remain vulnerable to terrorist attacks no matter what measures are applied to increase security. From what we have learned from the Israelis who happen to be extremely security conscious, it is impossible to protect the occupants of every shopping mall, theatre and apartment building, against suicide missions.

I shudder to think of the consequences assuming an all-out war in Iraq leads to the destruction of a few strategically located oil wells or refineries on American territory. It is estimated that each year in America personal vehicles alone guzzle over 115 billion gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel. A run on gas by American consumers could easily provoke a severe gas shortage, one that could cripple the entire country. I can still remember the few days we spent in Washington DC during the early 70s. Gas soared to over a dollar and because of the uncertainty line-ups around the block became daily occurrences. While our motor home is totally self-contained it would probably not be the safest place to take refuge, in the event of a biological virus attack. Duct tape or no duct tape, there are just too many openings, windows, doors, air vents to seal off on a moment's notice. Even if we did succeed in taping them all, it would probably be too late.

Beside, I doubt we could survive for more than a few hours sealed up inside an aluminum-covered structure, the air conditioner turned off and all the while engulfed by the Florida heat. Despite the heightened sense of security, we still have no desire to change our plans and return home. Nevertheless, we have worked out an escape route and are keeping our fuel and propane tanks topped up, just in case. Only time will tell whether we would be better off shoveling snow back home in minus 20 degree temperatures.