Ready, Set, Go

Dept. of Homeland SecurityCongratulations to Tom Ridge, who now has two items on his list of ‘Things I’ve Done While Serving as Secretary of Homeland Security’: Along with ‘Create a mind-numbingly stupid color-coded warning system,’ he can now add, ‘Launch a Web site.’

Ready.gov

I suppose Ready.gov, which Ridge announced today in a high-profile press conference, is an earnest enough attempt, but it’s riddled with moments of outright hilarity. To wit: “If there is a nuclear blast… Quickly assess the situation.”

And some of the diagrams are bizarre as well. Magazine editors take note: there’s lots of yucks to be had in running a caption contest for these ridiculously oblivious illustrations. Here’s one I’d submit.

By the way, one thing Secretary Ridge hasn’t put on that list yet: secure the homeland.

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