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To: Lane3 who wrote (94241)	1/8/2005 8:58:52 AM
From: unclewest	Respond to of 793788

Have not seen it but will. Thanks for the heads up.

To: Lane3 who wrote (94241)	1/8/2005 10:00:33 AM
From: unclewest	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793788

Taking care of oneself rather than waiting for the authorities was a factor in the movie. I wrote about Smallpox as a terrorism threat and possible individual solutions over a year before the Homeland Security Act was passed and Department of Homeland Security was founded. Now that Homeland Security is operating, we have a government solution...Or do we? At www.ready.gov, Homeland Security speaks to us, in clear terms, about what advice we should expect from the authorities during nuclear, chemical and biological attacks. Here are some quotes from the website: Biological Threat “In the event of a biological attack, public health officials may not immediately be able to provide information on what you should do.” Radiation Threat “As with any emergency, local authorities may not be able to immediately provide information on what is happening and what you should do.” Chemical Threat “Quickly try to define the impacted area or where the chemical is coming from if possible.” “Take immediate action to get away.” Though not inspiring or reassuring, the Homeland Security website messages are clear enough. They tell us to NOT depend on the authorities and that you must decide what to do.

To: Lane3 who wrote (94241)	1/9/2005 8:09:21 AM
From: unclewest	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793788

FX has been running a movie in documentary format called "Smallpox." I thought of you when I watched it. Did you see it? Thanks again for the heads up. I watched it last night. The movie is scheduled again tonight. I highly recommend it. The movie depicts likely scenarios of what to expect in a Smallpox outbreak. I doubt what I thought were highlights will be so viewed by all, but I will comment on a few. If we accept that Smallpox is but one of many possible disaster scenarios, either natural or terrorist induced, the film makes a very strong case for planning and preparedness at all levels of government and including of course at family level. In the presentations I prepared and gave at the NSA National Security Conference in 2003 and others in 2004, I discussed Smallpox and predicted some items that were not likely being considered at the time. I even wrote some of it on this thread. I said and wrote that a food shortage would occur very quickly because deliveries will shut down. I made fun of Tom Ridge's suggestion in the March 17, 2003 People magazine that we keep a three day emergency supply of food. I asked the audience if the government believes they cannot provide food for three days, where are they going to get it on the fourth day or the 40th day? I also predicted quarantine areas will be established and nobody will be let out. Also said that hospitals will be reluctant to treat Smallpox victims and the quarantine areas will be away from treatment facilities. All of these points and more are also made by the movie. BTW, the scenario I presented had not one but 5 terrorists, one each in NYC, Chicago, Wash DC, Dallas and LA. All simultaneously infected and hanging out at each city's airports, bus, and train terminals to spread the disease. Think about that as you watch the movie. If viewed in the context of Smallpox being just one example of why we need to be prepared, on a personal level, to survive terrorism, I think the movie can do much good. uw