WARNING! NASCAR Races Could Be Hazardous To Your <s>Health</s> Life

So ... my lil' tongue-in-cheek post about Rep. Robin Hayes' (NC-R) confusion over Homeland Security's directive that Congress members be immunized before attending a NASCAR race touched a few nerves.

Many readers are appalled at the notion of politicians needing to be immunized against a bunch of rednecks. Lowe's Motor Speedway President Humpy Wheeler wasn't thrilled either:

"The very idea of immunization is laughable. It's like taping your ankles to go to the mailbox. This is not some third- or fourth-world country. "

But the reality is, it's not laughable at all, despite the media and politicians having a little fun with the issue:

Linda Daves, the chairwoman of the North Carolina Republican Party:
"Democrats should know that there is no preventive measure yet designed to ward off the blue-collar values and patriotism that NASCAR fans represent. If they aren't careful, they just might catch some of it."

The liberal media twisted and shouted "NASCAR smear on Democrats" campaign!

Turns out the shots were recommended because the staffers were visiting health care facilities--or so they say. Perhaps they're just pretending to offend the public rather than alarm it.

Amidst all the nonsense surrounding "NASCAR Coooties," the very serious reality of our national security issues has gone ignored in the dialogue. I seriously doubt that it's the NASCAR crowd that has Homeland Security concerned. It's the "public, mass gathering" aspect of the event, i.e., every NASCAR race is a potential terrorist target.

Rep. Bernie Thompson (MS-D) admitted as much in a Fox News interview which had him squared off with Rep. Robin Hayes (NC-R):

Now, I don't know about you, but I've had a pit in my stomach over the possibility of a terrorist attack before the start of the Daytona 500 every year since 2002. I'm just usually thinking bombs, not biologicals. I don't go around talking about it 'cause I don't want to be the one to give anybody any ideas, but now that it's out there ...

Instead of pointing and laughing at politicians, we should be asking if our beloved NASCAR drivers and their teams, sponsors, etc., have received all available immunizations against known toxic agents that could potentially be used as a biological weapon. And we should be asking why Congress it is only protecting themselves against this perceived threat and isn't recommending immunizations for all track workers, fans and other race attendees.

If a terrorist decided to unleash a biological weapon at an NFL, NBA, MLB or NHL game, their respective leagues would be down a team or two. The enemy decides to get cute at the Daytona 500 ... that could be the end of our sport.