It used to be said that we had to choose between guns and butter. More recently it seems to be a case of guns and butter and tax cuts.

Now we are confronted by an enforced awareness of shortcomings in our infrastructures, deficiencies that compromise our ability to cope with disasters, be they natural or man-made.

In brief, we are challenged to take another look at our preoccupation with present benefits at the expense of insufficient commitment to costly long-term programs of strategic preparedness. The billions that will be spent for Katrina aid and restoration cannot offset the losses people have suffered.

But they can remind us that the proverbial ounce of prevention is less costly than the consequences of hoping “it” will not happen. Once again there is the opportunity to reshape our priorities.

Jack K. Busby