The most interesting thing about American culture is how we over-react to literally everything big enough to catch our attention.

From pet rocks way back in the Stone Age, to Disco in the 70’s, Big Hair in the 80’s and everything Bill Clinton in the 90’s, we like to play every dumb or stupid fad well beyond the point of unconsciousness.

Once upon a time, we thought tech stocks and day trading were the wave of the future, the so-called “New economy.”

Private investors poured millions into half-baked concepts, retirees cashed out their entire life savings and ambitious young Turks played cutthroat to be hired by the dotcoms.

USA Networks even created a new TV series based on the concept of high-tech and financial wizardry.

Next thing you know, the bottom drops out of the market and everybody who was trying to get in is suddenly trying to get out like rats jumping off a sinking ship.

Good thing I sold mine two months prior (laugh)

So, what is the point you might ask?

The point is that in the wake of September 11, suddenly everybody is becoming a paranoid vigilante seeing bloodthirsty terrorists hanging around every corner.

Two weeks ago, some nut got a little loud on a Greyhound bus and was quickly hospitalized by the overeager patriots anxious to protect mom and apple pie.

In the typical American way, we have overreacted and bounced over to the other extreme of caution.

We now have armed soldiers in every airport and fighter jets patrolling the skies as if the Russians were going to launch a Red Dawn after all.

Every building over four stories high is turning into a medieval fortress and the Emmy’s security precautions now rival NORAD Air Command’s nuclear code systems.

Yeah, right. Like all those celebrities showing up in casual attire rather than tuxedo’s and evening gowns is going to make any difference to anybody other than the fashion police.

This is not to say that I believe we should run, hide, and cower away.When my Battalion gets the call and we deploy, I will be the first one to report with two bags full and ready to rock and roll.

But in the meantime, get a grip, people.