Mixed messages from media fan flames of terrorism fears

Why wouldn’t thousands of people swamp law enforcement officials daily with unfounded reports of suspicious mail or any other strange activity? That’s exactly what we have been told to do: Be in a “heightened sense of alert,” translating into – not merely being cautious and observant but defensive, often distrustful – unbridled fear.

How can any of us not be afraid when the U.S. attorney general warns of 100 percent chance of repercussions if the nation attacks Afghanistan, which it has?

How can any of us not be afraid of expected reprisals when the terrorists in the U.S. embassy attacks in Africa were sentenced last week in New York, which they were?

How can any of us not be afraid when told that the anthrax scare may be overblown and sensationalized yet the U.S. House of Representatives disbanded and fled last week, which it did in a historical move?

How can any of us not be afraid when the messages we’re getting are so convoluted and contradictory that none makes sense any more?

Fly, we’re told. Yet several commercial airlines have been, for various reasons, escorted to their landings by F-16s. Other flights have been thwarted altogether after mysterious passengers posed serious security problems.

Go about your normal business, we’re told. Yet in those businesses across the country and in Maine workers have been intimidated by traces of white powder on boxes and envelopes and letters. No matter the powder is talcum, not anthrax.

Support the economy; invest, we’re told. Yet indicators – Alan Greenspan, the predominant predictor – say outlook is murky. Volatile Wall Street plunges and soars like osprey fishing in the summertime.

Spend more, advises Maine Gov. Angus King, with a caution: if you “are reasonably secure” to do so. Yet statistics show that 15 percent of Americans – that includes Down Easters – are in financial trouble because their debts exceed their assets.

How can any of us not be afraid when the messages sent to us confuse, not clarify? Secretary of State Colin Powell returned from the Mideast last week without much coverage in our daily newspapers or on national television broadcasts. President Bush headed to China with only a blip of notice. Vice President Dick Cheney visited ground zero in New York for the first time, more than a month after the World Trade Center attacks.

None of those stories warranted major attention while the media – and ourselves, as well – were consumed by anthrax spores, real or imaginary, from Nevada to Florida, from Texas to Maine.

Several days after the Sept. 11 attacks, former Secretary of State George Schultz stated the threat of terrorism “would not change” this nation. It has.

Several days after confirmation of the first anthrax case in southern Florida, Secretary of Health Tommy Thompson reassured the public about the “isolated case.” That too has changed.

What many of us fear is not flying or bacteria on our skin or loss of earnings in the stock market or crop dusters or differing political or religious views.

What we’re most afraid of is mixed – if not wrong – messages.