Andy,
I am fairly new to this forum and when I saw this subject I couldn't help but respond. I am always preparing for extended power outages,tornados,storms,and floods and also for the 911 flavor of threat. (I sandbagged at a losing battle in the flood of 93. when I finally gave out, all the hard work moved a kidney stone).

I live in a mega-multinational community and there are at least two documented connections between people in my community and the bad guys and recently a third. If people believe that terrorist attacks will only happen in places like New York, then that is what the terrorists want you to believe.

Among the Muslim in my community, I have absolutely no ill will toward them. I am a familiar face in areas where Muslims happen to congregate. I'm convinced that the bad element is a very tiny percentage of less than 1% of the Muslim population here, if there are any still around.

But it is because of that uncertainty, that one must be prepared with the essentials of a BOB and backup food, water and medical supplies. If something should happen, the government can't be expected to bail you out; and the government has already proven that their reaction time is too slow.

And lastly, I'm a gear nut. My BOB and various backpacks and hiking equipment are an obsessive hobby with me. It's just too much fun with practical value.