Jumping Jack Flash (It's a Gas)

Another non-story masquerading as news hit the wires across the world thanks to a mysterious odour that hovered over Manhattan today.

Unusual smells are no stranger to our apartment (especially as the wife 'enjoys' her third pregnancy trimester), but this particular odour passed me by entirely. In this era of 24-hour news channels, any triviality is reported eagerly as 'Breaking News' with some poor young hack sent to report enthusiastically on it.

Post 9-11 perhaps it's understandable that the city remains nervous about further attacks, and Manhattan's population density and unique image certainly continue to present an attractive target to those with evil in mind. However in light of the blackout of 2003, light-plane crash of 2006, and now gas leak of 2007, one wonders whether a real threat and evacuation order will be treated with typical New York disdain thanks in part to the dramatic reporting of these unfortunate, but unthreatening incidents.

It may be a natural phenomenon that will require our attention however. Many people are unaware for example that New York City is at risk from a devastating hurricane someday. Having seen the disaster 'preparedness' after Hurricane Katrina flooded New Orleans, I think I would be more inclined to kiss my arse goodbye than wait for the Federal Government to bail me out. Then again I can't help thinking President Bush might move a bit quicker if it was New York and not New Orleans under threat. Not sure why, just an inkling.