Fragments From Floyd

Which of the three thimbles hides the pea? Are any of these internet stories true, partially true or wholecloth fabrications? Sometimes, it is impossible to tell. But all would fall into the 'if true, then significant' category. Since I've been following the topic of the first one, I give it a higher chance of being based on fact. The second is easy enough to check out to see if it is, indeed, as quoted in the actual print edition. And the third is in all likelihood at least partly true, but how will we know until it's too late. Caveat emptor.

1) Avian Flu is already a raging pandemic in China. From Recombinomics, a reliable source to date. I made this prediction a month ago to my wife. I'd just as soon lose this bet. Interesting: forum exchange in very broken English. Is this a news leak from behind the Bamboo Curtain?

2) The Bush Plan for retaliation after the next 9-11 type of attack on American soil is to nuke Iran. Justin Logan excerpting from the American Conservative. Hard copy examination yet to be carried out to verify an authentic quote.

3) Nuclear satchel bombs have already been smuggled across the Mexican border and are stored in or near American cities (source WorldNetDaily is some distance from the center (leaning right, mostly) but some of their scoops have turned out to beat the mainstream media to stories that eventually make the nightly news on CNN.)

How does one process so much information? Are we capable of dealing intelligently with so much potentially bad news without becoming inert to pending disaster warnings? Too much information too soon leads to panic and burnout. Too little too late results in unacceptable consequences of inaction and unpreparedness.

Bloggers, myself among them, would do well to study how those in the field of 'risk communication' approach crises (with regard to the link here, the crisis being communicated is avian flu) to get the word out, create a receptivity of concern, but not incite panic or a sense of lost control. This is a long article from the Pan American Health Organization, but worth the read. Perhaps your public health leaders would appreciate some guidance in this very awkward matter of risk communication. Another article in a similar vein is here.

Is the sky falling? Is the wolf really eating the sheep this time, or should we even listen to the warnings any more? Tune in at 11 for all the latest, with your intrepid news reporter, Turkey Lurkey.