There are some in the right wing talk show media, Michael Savage to name one, who are convinced there’s a “Reichstag Fire” event coming.  The theory goes that Obama and his advisors believe (like Hitler did in the 30’s) that they need to create a mood of fear and danger within the country in order to achieve a maximum level of state control.  Very soon, reasons the pundits, there will be a cataclysmic event similar in symbolic importance to the Reichstag Fire, which propelled the Nazis to power in prewar Germany.

Such an event as suggested will sow panic and cause the public to throw caution to the wind, embracing any government policy regardless of how draconian, onerous or oppressive.

I was thinking about this last night and came to the conclusion that there are only 2 types of events which would trigger such panic.  One would be a biological attack in a major city or region, and the other is some kind of nuclear or radiological attack.  Sure it sounds crazy, but just think about it for a second!  Suppose such an event occurred?  Borders would be sealed immediately.  Geiger counters, if available, would be issued to the public by the thousands, if not millions.  And presumably, the country would be put on a war footing similar to World War II.

Of course, it’s only a theory, and a rather extreme one at that.  However, I can’t help thinking that if the economy gets much worse, the American public might be primed for the kind of “event” that changes nations and history.