Hi Don,

You and I have been down this road so many times, I've got the ruts marked out with bread crumbs so you can have a snack walking behind me.

Now listen up Mr. Here comes the best delivery on record yet! No ones' going anywhere! No evacuation, no jammed up freeways, it isn't going to be like that. That's the whole point about earthquake preparedness, it teaches people you don't have to jump on the freeway and get killed in a car accident while you're waiting for the Big One to arrive. (I've been waiting for the Big One for years and so far, greatly disappointed.)

In all seriousness, education is the answer to the problem about panic and chaos. If you know you don't have to leave to survive a 7.0 earthquake, then you'll stay home, do what you normally do, with a few exceptions. You'll check your earthquake kits, make sure you have enough food and water for three days for everyone, people and animals and act like a totally sane individual. There is every reason to believe that people can be educated about preparedness, practice it and receive a warning without going nuts.

The only obstacle to this utopian idea is that it takes people to get out and educate the public and most of them are to darn lazy to get out of their chairs from watching TV to make a difference in the life of someone else. Fortunately neither you or I are in that group, but its going to take one dramatic effort and one way or another, I'm darn good at drama. There are a hundred ways to get there and I'm going to try a few of my own.

Here's one for kids. As you know most children only watch things on TV that catch their attention. So in the future I want to make a Music Video with kids dancing to rock and roll music. Give a little info about how earthquakes happen, how to prepare and close with an outstanding dance and a new item. They'll be delivering the "seismic wave." Just as the Seattle Seahawks have thier wave, these kids will deliver one. I hope its catchy and everyone will want to learn it and do it everywhere. So when someone asks, have you caught the wave? They'll know what to do. Of course I'll dance with the kids and deliver the education they need to go with it and love every single minute.

Take it away Don, its back to point, counter-point and you're opportunity to get back on the podium has arrived.

Pat