I think that in these days when a large percentage of our countries emergency response services are located in New Orleans that we all remain vigilant and observant about what is going on around us. And that we take up the charge to prepare ourselves to survive for at least the first 72 hours after a disaster.

Al-Qaida in Iraq declared war in Iraq this week which means that the troops we have there won't be coming home anytime soon - indeed it will delay the return of a good many troops that have been scheduled to come home over the next 3 months.

Plus Al-Qaida released a video last week stating that an attack on Los Angeles and Melbourne was imminent. I find this to be of great concern because it would be like Al-Qaida to attack when our response capability is highly taxed. What better way to do serious damage in our country?

I think it is important for citizens to call their local officials and voice your concern in this situation and ask that local and federal authorities raise the Security Advisory System Threat Risk to HIGH.

A New York City Event in any other American City while we are working on the Katrina Recovery will be even more devastating than a Terrorist attack by itself. They said that approximately nearly every major American City has sent approx 25 - 30% of its First Responders to the South for the Hurricane rescue and clean up.

Could we try to keep this thread focused on preparedness and not turn it into a political meta discussion. Thanks.