Terror, Fear, and Product Placement

When the government raised the terror alert level to "orange" without any credible evidence the other day, I figured it was yet another case of blatant fear-mongering. Announcing the change in "terrorism vulnerability," John Ashcroft said vaguely that apartment buildings, hotels, and other "lightly secured targets" could be at risk. Also in danger are "economic targets, including the transportation and energy sectors, as well as symbolic targets and symbols of American power." As one of the most lightly secured targets in America, an apartment dweller, and a frequent user of America's energy reserves and transportation systems, I am deeply frightened.

Maybe I should run out and buy a terrorism survival kit, a silly (and likely useless) conglomeration of duct tape, plastic wrap, water, tuna fish, and other items. More fear mongering. But my real question is: how much did Campbell’s Chunky Soup, Chicken of the Sea tuna, Rayovac batteries, and Johnson & Johnson have to pay for this primo product placement?