Yep. Mixing a kernel of truth with half-truths and BS.
AIDS is a problem. Avian flu might (or not) be a problem. Education and medicine can handle that.
Millions have died of starvation in Africa for centuries, before the press thought it was worth reporting. And they'll continue to die, in spite of the press and Bono.
In North America, there'll always be wildfires, droughts, earthquakes, hurricanes and other unpleasant things happening. Just like they always have.
Not much humans can do about that.
Well, like ya said- throughout all the prior turmoil- someone had to survive for a couple days- just to bring us to this conversation. lol...we just might make it, a little farther down that old road.