Silly Thinking

STShowcase.

Your host: Hal Holbrook.


HH: Hello, I'm Hal Holbrook, and this is S.T. Showcase. I'm your host, Hal Holbrook.
Here in the United States we are just a week away from another magnificent American Holiday, Memorial Day.

It's a day of picnics and shopping, leisure time fun that Americans love. But now, in the new normal of Post 9/11 America, we must stay forever vigilant against Terrorist Attacks that will destroy lives and the American way of life.

With that in mind we thought we would wisk you back in time to Dec 22nd, 2003 when America was getting ready for another American holiday: Christmas. A time of bright happy children's faces, presents, and as you'll see, reports of natural calamities and terrorism.

So gather your family around the computer and buckle yourselves in for a trip on the ST Time machine to late last year. December 22nd, 2003.

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This is SILLY THINKING BREAKING NEWS.

Now from New York here is Connie Chung.



CC: Good afternoon to the east coast and good morning to the west coast.



CC:We are just getting reports from Southern California that a 6.5 earthquake has hit the San Luis Opispo area and was felt as far north as San Fransisco and to the south well into Los Angeles County. It was a rolling quake that moved slowly.. relativly. Hearst's Castle, the poular tourist spot was right at or near the epicenter and was evacuated.
I have on the phone Mrs. Slade Macintosh who lives on the central coast and felt the earthquake. Good morning Mrs. Macintosh.


MM: Good morning Connie.


CC: Mrs. Macintosh what were you doing when the quake hit.


MM: The quake hit about a half hour ago. I was standing in my kitchen when the room started to move. I thought it was a truck on the highway. And I said "What's that?"


CC: And you're all right?


MM: Oh yes. A few dishes moved on the shelf, but no damage.


CC: How did it feel?


MM: Like a slight rolling sensation and then I said "What's that?"


CC: Did you think it might be a terrorist attack?


MM: No. I didn't know what it was. Just "What's that?" And then I checked the Christmas tree and it was fine.


CC: And you talked to your son...


MM: Yes. My son lives in Santa Monica. He called to find out if I was OK.


CC: And were you?


MM: Yes. He felt it there too, but he was alright.


CC: Did he think it was a terrorist attack?


MM: He didn't say. But he might have.


CC: Interesting. Thank you, Mrs. Macintosh.
We have reports of little damage and a report that people in Los Angeles county mostly didn't feel the tremor at all. But we do have a live feed from our News Chopper flying over downtown Los Angeles and Hollywood. Captain Blaine Butterbutt is in the chopper. Can you hear me Captain?


CB: Yes Connie I hear you.


CC: Can you see any damage.


CB: We were on the ground in Long Beach and didn't feel the earthquake but went up immediatly to check the freeways and high rise buildings.


CC: And do you see any damage or closed freeways.


CB: No Connie as you can see it looks normal. No damage and traffic is moving normally.


CC: Interesting. Thank you Captain Blaine Butterbutt in Los Angeles.
Quake officials are not reporting any serious damage AS YET. But do warn of aftershocks. You know, there is a misnomor that aftershocks are always milder than the first real earthquake. That's not always true, sometimes the aftershocks are much larger and spread more death and destruction than the initial tremor. We will be monitoring the story closely and break in when events warrant.
Stay with "Silly Thinking" for up to the minute reports on "L.A. In Ruins: The Holiday Quake" and "Holiday Of Terror" our continuing updates on the terrorist threat which was raised to Orange- High- yesterday.
I'm Connie Chung in New York. See you later.

Stay with "Silly Thinking" for up to the minute 'HOLIDAY OF TERROR" AND "L.A. IN RUINS: THE HOLIDAY QUAKE" special reports. This is Silly Thinking.

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