The Sideshow -- August 2, 2004

See How Things Work When We All Share? After repeated cries of "WOLF," Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge actually spelled out some details of a potential attack. The Washington Post reports the details were due to agencies sharing information--just like the 9/11 Commission suggested just a week before. But the New York Times reports FBI agents who blow the whistle on bureaucrats who ignore warnings become "pariahs."

Fueling Fear. The raised terror alert will hit you in the wallet even if terrorists don't hit a target. The alert has sent oil prices to a record high of $44 a barrel. That'll trickle down to the gas pumps in coming weeks.

Targeting your 401k for Attack. After a good week when the Dow was up 10.5 points and the NASDAQ was up 6-1/3, the latest terror threat has rattled your 401k. potential targets Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge specifically mentioned in his alert.

Video Features: Secretary Ridge's announcement analysis from the Washington Post. Report from WB 11 in New York City via feedroom.com

The Politicians Have Already Won. Think al Qaeda is scary? Investors are just as afraid of the close election.


Middle America Pays the Price. While New York and Washington are on high alerts, it's middle America paying the highest price lately for the Global War on Terror. Rep. Ike Skelton (D-MO) has been keeping track of how many troops small towns are sending to the fight. He's found nearly half of all service members killed in Afghanistan and Iraq are from towns with fewer than 20,000 people.

Prescription for Failure. America has the highest prescription drug prices in the world. That's driven thousands of people to Mexico to buy cheaper versions of the same drugs. Problem is, what they drive home with are NOT the same drug. Americans are finding out they spent real money for counterfeit drugs in Mexican border towns.


Lost in Translation. Washington spent $1.2 million of your money and has nothing to show for it. The US Election Assistance Commission hired a company to translate voting material and put it online. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 requires that the federal government help citizens who don't speak English all that well to better understand their ballots.

• It's been seven months since they hired someone to translate information.
• It's been nearly a year since the English version was finished and ready to translate.
• The election's just over 90 days away and the commission has nothing to show for their effort.