Outside editorial: Terrorists panic the House
The following editorial appeared in today's San Jose Mercury News:
The president has asked Americans to be vigilant and smart, but to go about their work and home and school activities. Governors and local officials have asked Americans to be wary, but to get on with the country's business. Health officials have asked Americans to be careful, but not to be paralyzed by the anthrax scare sweeping the country.
So what do members of the U.S. House of Representatives do? They close up shop.
House leadership announced the suspension of business Wednesday. They took the step after more than two dozen staffers in U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle's office and two in the office of Sen. Russell Feingold tested positive for exposure to anthrax. Though House and Senate office buildings were closed, Senate leadership decided to continue to convene in the Capitol.
Shame on the House.
The terrorists, domestic or foreign or whoever they may be, want to disrupt our nation's business. They want to create an environment of panic. They want to spook Americans into paralysis.
Americans have responded well. They are sending their children to school and going to work. While taking care, they are opening their mail. They are placing the scare in proper perspective. One person has died and a handful of people have become ill, while dozens have tested positive for anthrax. Nonetheless, the overall health impact so far has been very, very small.
Americans are not doing what the terrorists want. They are not surrendering. Too bad the same can't be said for members of the House.