Pentagon officials are all flat- footed on a response to the airborne threat of birds infected with the avian flu virus. Could a virus really bring us to our knees ??? No one knows, but two research teams have determined that the same virus that caused the deaths of tens of millions of chickens and 54 people is now circulating in long- distance migratory birds.

 And there is not much we can do about it.

According to the Washington Post 7/6/05 :

" Spread of the virus beyond its current home in China and neighboring countries could cause billions of dollars in losses to poultry farmers around the world. It could also give influenza A/H5N1 --- the virus's formal name --- further opportunity to adapt to human as well as avian hosts, a development that theoretically could lead to a global flu epidemic.

...It appears that the virus is being transmitted among wild birds that have had no known contact with domesticated birds. "

Yikes !!!!

So, it might be time to dump those Tyson stocks, or kick up the life insurance policy. Or get garlands of garlic and sharpen wooden stakes. What is in the air right now could be very dangerous, or maybe not. Either way, we are screwed because we as a society have allowed our public health system to fall into disrepair. We have poured all our money into weapon systems which can not protect us. We are as badly prepared for a bout with avian flu as we are for $ 3.50 a gallon gas ---- like not so much.

 Tippi Hedren climbed the attic stairs......