Beware

I have noticed more stories in the news lately about, what I would term, speculations on what might happen if a certain thing were to happen. The headlines usually never report it this way, they are always more terrifying bent.<br />n<br />n<a href="http://www.billingsgazette.com//index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2004/06/26/build/health/30-disease.inc">New disease threat carried by mosquitoes</a><br />n<br />nThis just sounds ominous. Reading the story though reveals that the threat is speculative about <u>if</u> the Rift Valley fever were to enter the US. The threat has always been there sinced the recognized disease has been around for quite a while so why the alarming headline?<br />n<!–more–><br />n<a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3837883.stm">Disease threatens choc production</a><br />n<br />nOh my word, all you chocolate lovers out there are going to be devestated. But wait, reading the article again we find out that this is speculative on <u>if</u> the diseases were to enter the African countries.<br />n<br />nI understand being concerned about these things, but why the ominous headlines? I guess I just don't understand the news buisness. But then by my viewing and talking about the stories the newspaper buisness gets what it wants. Readers. So maybe they aren't so dumb after all.<br />n<br />n<b>Beware when any idea is promoted primarily because it is "bold, exciting, innovative, and new." There are many ideas that are "bold, exciting, innovative and new," but also foolish. Donald Rumsfeld</b>