National Preparedness Month. Oy...

Bob Harris, cohort of the esteemed Tom Tomorrow of This Modern World, has a biting essay at AlterNet.org on National Preparedness Month, the Bush Administration's latest thinly-disguised election ploy. You don't have to be cynical to see through this ruse.

On 9/11 itself, there's a "NASCAR race in Richmond" listed. This would be the "Chevy Rock 'N' Roll 400" at the Richmond International Raceway. Obviously, a NASCAR race has nothing – nothing – whatsoever to do with homeland security. It is, however, a GOP-friendly event in Virginia, a battleground state where Bush's lead is within the margin of error.

Hmm. There are two other NASCAR races in September: one in New Hampshire, the other in Delaware. Both are solidly in the Kerry camp. And, gosh, nothing is scheduled. Apparently non-swing state voters just don't need to be quite so, ahem, "prepared."

If we don't see "preparedness" rallies at the other two races – and they ain't scheduled, folks – that certainly suggests Bush & Co. are using fear as a political tool.