"Is it my imagination or do we all discuss these very same things days before the media pick it up??"
==
It's NOT your imagination -- maybe the mainstream media is reading this thread as part of their research.
I have noticed it quite a few times by now.
This was just in local news:
2 malls cut walking hours as terror precaution
Public access to indoor exercise spots limited
Posted: Jan. 15, 2004
For some Wisconsin mall walkers, the threat of terrorism is limiting access to their favorite exercise spots.
Police presence has been heightened at malls such as Brookfield Square, but at least two Wisconsin malls - Forest Mall in Fond du Lac and Bay Park Square near Green Bay - have taken precautions a step further by cutting back mall-walking hours. So far, no Milwaukee-area malls have restricted walking in response to the federal government's heightened terror alert.
Previously open for walkers at 8 a.m., Bay Park Square has been prohibiting such activity until the usual start of shopping hours at 10 a.m.
Forest Mall in Fond du Lac still gives walkers their run of the place, but not until 9 a.m. - one hour later than usual.
Forest Mall spokeswoman Karen Rausch said a full complement of security guards is not in place until 9 a.m. to protect the walkers, should a terrorist attack occur. Rausch said there have been few complaints from walkers.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/wauk/jan04/200288.asp