Peggy Noonan: We're All Soldiers Now

Opinion Journal ^ | 11/02/2001 | Peggy Noonan

[Pokey78]

On Halloween I had one of those days that veered from scene to scene. In the morning, in the waiting room of a Manhattan eye doctor's office, I watched and listened as a young secretary who was dressed for the day in a Morticia costume--all in black, white powdered face, black eye makeup, black pointy witch's hat placed on her desk, white spider-web hose on her legs--called patients and left messages like this: "Mrs. Smith, this is Dr Jones' office. We referred you to New York Eye and Ear hospital recently, and so you will have to be tested for anthrax. Please call us."

[Pokey78]

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[Pokey78]

Indexing

[Miss Marple]

Peggy Noonan has done a great service to the nation with this article. The camera idea is a winner (and I bet she got it here...her son is a lurker, I think).

I hadn't thought of safe rooms, but I do remember talk of them during the Gulf War by Israelis.

I always keep canned goods and bottled water...we live in blizzard country.

[wienerdog.com]

Thanks for passing this along. Peggy Noonan is brilliant (The Ultimate MILF).

[germanshepherd]

What's an MILF, Wienerdog?

[Lurker]

Mrs. Noonan has published a fine little missive here. It's chock full of common sense.

All of this (and more) has been practiced on the Rancho De Lurker for years and I most heartily endorse it.

Thanks Peggy.

L

[germanshepherd]

Since you are obviously familiar with this kind of thing... We have a first-floor bathroom with no windows and a second-floor walk-in closet with no windows. Which do you suggest be the safe room?

I got the impression that you don't have to tape the door frames NOW, but save the tape (and your beautiful wallpapering job) for only if there is a need. Is this correct, as far as you know?

Thanks for any helpful input.

[maranatha]

bttt

[wienerdog.com]

What's an MILF, Wienerdog?

I'm afraid you have to be under 25 to know that acronym, which is why I used it, knowing it would be meaningful to a certain strata amongst FReepers. As for the rest of you, I sincerely apopolgize that its meaning is not suitable for this forum in human-readable form (ie, ask a kid).

[Lurker]

No, don't tape the door frames now. That should only be done if you need to seal out the air for a few hours.

As far as which room to pick, why not be prepared to use both of them? Normally, I would say use the bathroom as the walls are somewhat reinforced by the presence of water pipes as well as having the benefit of being, well, the bathroom.

However,not knowing the layout of your home, it's impossible to make a cogent recommendation.

The important thing is that you make some kind of plan, and practice it with your family. Most people won't even take the most basic of precautions so you and yours will be miles ahead if the excrement ever contacts the rotating oscillator.

L

[germanshepherd]

if the excrement ever contacts the rotating oscillator.

LOL at that one!

OK, good idea. So then, you don't think in general that first floor is better than second floor?

[germanshepherd]

OK, I guess us old fogeys will just have to use our imagination on this one.

[Timesink]

If some moron in a doofy costume started taking polaroids of me and generally being annoying, the only clapping I would do would be against his skull.

[StockAyatollah]

The subject of guns has come up. Everyone has an opinion. Here's mine: If you know how to use a gun, and you can get it legally, get a gun.

I like Peggy. But what is she talking about here. Everyone can get a gun legally in this country. Any politician or judge who thinks otherwise should have the 2nd Ammendment recited to them and be promptly told to f-off!

[Bizhvywt]

New York City does not allow gun ownership, not even rifles. That's why they're buying so many gas masks and canaries.

[Terrorista Nada]

Tighten it up a bit and it might get published.

I really like Peggy Noonan, but she's like George Will, she talks a lot better than she writes. Plus she's a babe.

[StockAyatollah]

And they had "laws" against guns in Baltimore city when I lived there. That didn't stop me.

[Ruth A.]

How can we fail when women like Peggy Noonan and Condie Rice are standard bearers?