Maybe the environment is a player in this thing we call National Security? And, just maybe, it is sending us a message.

The Bush Administration will go down in the annals as the most environmentally destructive bunch of greedy opportunists in American history. Theirs is neither an innately Republican pattern of behavior nor a predictable Democratic weakness. It is mostly no more complicated than corruption and carelessness run rampant.

To be frank, you could probably add the adjective ‘ignorant’ – in front of ‘opportunists’ - because Bush and his people seem to operate as if they are not affected by the polluted air we breathe, the poisons we routinely inhale, the contaminated water we drink and the hormone fed, and otherwise over-treated, and over-sprayed, cancer and nerve disease inducing meat, poultry, fruit and vegetables we eat. And I could probably dwell for a while on our polluted fish stocks – though they may not be a problem for long at the rate we are over-fishing.

Apparently to be a Bush Republican is to be environmentally immune. But is that possible, I hear you cry?

Let me give you the long answer: “No!”

It may be scant consolation, but Bush Republicans are as mortal as anyone else. They, too, shall pass.

All of this brings to mind the thought that National Security is not just about defending this nation against terrorists. It is a must more fundamental and far-reaching obligation which the Bush Administration has knowingly and repeatedly reneged on.

Hurricane Katrina is, so to speak, a warning shot across the national bows. If we don’t pay attention, there will be a great deal worse to come. American infrastructure, health, wellbeing and prosperity are all fragile, vulnerable targets waiting to be hit.

Terrorism is a symptom of a blend of desperation and misunderstanding; but it is not the core threat.

The core threat is our behavior.