National Security and a Potential Bird Flu Pandemic

Barack Obama and Richard Lugar write in a New York Times op-ed:

When we think of the major threats to our national security, the first to come to mind are nuclear proliferation, rogue states and global terrorism. But another kind of threat lurks beyond our shores, one from nature, not humans - an avian flu pandemic. An outbreak could cause millions of deaths, destabilize Southeast Asia (its likely place of origin), and threaten the security of governments around the world.

Very true.  As I have argued on this blog, we are devoting tons of resources for a host of national security efforts to deal with terrorism and not devoting enough resources and attention to other threats, such as pandemics.  Those advocating for greater national security resources and powers often claim that civil libertarians are "hysterical" and "overreacting," but the very same charge can be made against those who are so focused on terrorism that they neglect other more likely and devastating threats.