Tom Friedman writes a somewhat humorous pieceon living in the US. He manages to get things in perspective while not being too dismissive about any threat. I love his taking the piss out of a survival kit:
The only survival purchases I’ve made since Code Orange is a new set of Ben Hogan Apex golf irons, and why my all-America survival kit would include: a movie guide, a concert schedule, Rollerblades, a bicycle – plus a reminder to attend local parent-teacher meetings, Little League baseball games, neighbourhood block parties and your book club and to get plenty of tickets for your favourite sports team.
Leave the cave-dwelling to Osama bin Laden.