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

From free love way back in the Stone Age of the 60’s, 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” that was going to change the face of commerce forever.

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 called “Bull” based on the concept of high-tech and financial wizardry.

Next thing you know 18 months later, the bottom drops out of the market and everybody who was once trying to get in is suddenly trying to get out like rats jumping off a sinking ship.

Good thing I sold all my AOL and Alliance Tech two months prior. (laugh)

So, what is the point you might ask?

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

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

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.

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 down on us after all.

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

Yeah, right. Like all those celebrities showing up in casual attire rather than tuxedos and evening gowns are going to make any difference to anybody other than Joan Rivers.

We need to realize that at a certain point we have gone way beyond the bounds of reason.

This is not to say that I believe we should run, hide, and cower away from the warped monsters that attacked us.

We need to protect ourselves and make sure the whole world knows what happens when you mess with the USA.

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.