Almost daily now our lives, in the first world, have been reminded that an attack on our livelihood is not only imminent, but perhaps expected according to supposed homeland security authorities with biting hunches. The thought that terrorism could strike me seems more like a inconvenience to my relatively posh lifestyle, rather then a threat to society. Americans like me, however, are not the only ones concerned. Sydney, Australian government authorities are trying to warn their citizens to be prepared for anything, or (as they put it) “Let’s Get Ready Sydney!” A website & pamphlet campaign to prepare citizens of Sydney to get ready for a possible terrorism attack or natural disaster has been created, but within hours of it’s release has brought a whirlwind of criticism.

Part of the campaign is preparing what authorities are calling a “Go Bag.” Similar to a emergency preparedness kit, the Go Bag is something one can supposedly grab & go on their way to pre-planned disaster relief zones in the city. The concept of a Go Bag is not really what’s in question, it’s the dual purpose and intention of the bag, as well as, the literal contents of the bag thats causing Australians to rage. For starters, the Go Bag’s contents are pretty basic: (according to the “let’s get ready Sydney” website)

What is a Go Bag?

A Go Bag is a small bag packed with essentials in case you need to evacuate your home. Handy things to keep in your Go Bag include:

• Key personal information for your family members or partner, including identification such as passports or a driver’s license.
• A bottle of water for each family or household member.
• Torch (Flashlight) with spare batteries.
• Battery-operated, portable AM/FM radio and extra batteries (check shelf life).
• Appropriate clothing. In winter, you might need jumpers (rain outfit); in summer, hats and sunscreen. Comfortable walking shoes are also important.
• Roll of toilet paper, personal hygiene supplies.
• Pen and notepad.
• Phone card/telecard/mobile (cell phone) (remember that your mobile may not work during a large-scale emergency).
• First aid items such as bandages, bandaids, eye wash, antiseptic solution, scissors, disposable gloves, safety pins, paracetamol, adhesive tape and personal medications.
• An extra set of car and house keys.
• Credit and ATM cards and a small amount of cash.
• Map of your local area and the CBD Safety Sites
• Your personal Contact List

As you can see, this list is supposed to cover “the essentials.” Having been a Boy Scout I can say that the Sydney authorities have differing opinions of essentials with what I would call essential (that being primarily Food, Fire starter, pocket knife, Hikers first aid kit, or the BSA 10 essentials). The website continues on with a test to make sure you are ready, failure of the test results in a negative message condemning you or questioning your awareness of the dire situation that could befall you.

As mentioned before, the complaints is two fold. Critics claim that this is part of the governments continual “fear campaign” by telling or reintegrating the fear of terrorism. The other part of it is that this comes on the eve an election, critics say that this is to try to tip the people into voting for a conservative candidates. Authorities were quick to respond, according to the Sydney Morning Herald, that this campaign has been two years in the making. This of course begs the question that the list of essentials must have been put together by either a celebrity of Paris Hilton’s stature or perhaps Sydney authorities are think that if they put together a more comprehensive list, citizens wouldn’t bother with it. The end result is basically a joke by everyone’s standard.

Cr Harris, a member of the Greens, suggested in the Herald that every Go Bag include a can-opener, a pair of sunglasses, inflatable floaties, a copy of a Sydney good food guide and a one-way ticket to Barcelona.

“I just find these fear campaigns personally offensive. Where are we supposed to go with our Go Bags? With our current public transport system, the roads would be clogged in minutes,” he said yesterday to Australian reporters.

Personally I think to the recent earthquakes in Japan. Would a Go Bag packed with comfortable shoes and a ATM card save victims of the earthquake? Perhaps if their refuge was a shopping mall (which it could be if it was Tokyo or Kyoto). Ultimately, everyone should have a Go Bag like thing in their household, just like boaters should have an abandon ship kit. However, as boy scouts should know, Sunscreen & TP (Toilet Paper) is not what is going to save your life…

Like critics suggest, the fear-bombing campaign is fatiguing even the strongest of people. Crying “the sky is about to fall” is like crying wolf… Something the media, apparently, has been doing in all first world countries since the early part of September, 2001. My suggestion to Australians and Americans is to first turn off their Telly (TV) and do prepare an emergency kit… not for terrorism, but for power outages or the like. Make it comprehensive with a week’s worth of food & water, fire-starter & portable propane stove. Preparedness is good if its done for the right reasons… now if only the Authorities could just realize this… 🙂

~J out

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