Rest easy: "24's" plotline is essentially hogwash

And here we were, sweating it out that terrorists really could take over America's infrastructure by kidnapping one expert and stealing a box the size of a car-trunk-installed CD player, which is the nightmare scenario posited by this season's storyline on "24." Dr. Stephen Flynn, former security advisor to the Clinton Administration, wants us to know that that isn't necessarily true. To wit:

"On 24: Major elements of the national infrastructure are controlled by centralized software systems that are vulnerable to hackers."

"In reality: There is a glimmer of truth here. Says Flynn: 'It's true that the infrastructure systems we take for granted are increasingly managed as cyber networks. That is a built-in vulnerability if somebody can get access to one of them.' But, he adds, the extent to which these systems are centrally controlled is vastly overplayed on the show. The real system is a patchwork of local networks. 'I mean, the DHS has had a hell of a time just inventorying what it has.'"

Flynn goes on in this vein for a while, that the computerized infrastructure is too decentralized for terrorists to access it with a gadget that small (if they landed something bigger than a breadbox, maybe, then we'd need to worry), and then considers the mass-hysteria card:

"On 24: The American population is generally clueless about the threats that play out among them, but the risk of mass hysteria is so grave that the government can't say anything about what's going on."

"In reality: Well, this pretty much reflects the message sent sent to Americans by the Bush administration, according to Flynn. 'They embraced this whole "24"-style story line, in which the American people are helpless against the threats. The mentality is, they just need to pray that people as nimble and capable as Jack Bauer are around to keep them safe.' This is a security threat in its own right, in Flynn's opinion. He makes the case that an informed and engaged citizenry is one of the best homeland security measures available. 'You've got to give people something to do,' he suggests."

Amen to that, given how many people are losing their jobs these days. No, a bigger threat these days are simple snowstorms that can shut down vast swatches of the nation's power grid for days, even weeks, at a time. Let's get Jack Bauer on that, shall we?

- "24:" 9 tonight, Fox (Channel 11 in L.A.).