Satire by Jamie York
(AP Nov. 1, 2001) - After Thursday's FBI warning about possible terrorist attacks on bridges in eight western states, reporters gathered at Harry Shockley's cattle ranch near Drummond, Mont.
Shockley, whose cattle roam on his 7,000 acre ranch, told reporters that he has eight bridges on his property and that he is not concerned about possible terrorist attacks. "I never really thought about it until you people showed up," Shockley said. "But I reckon the bridge over Little Fork Creek is the one I use the most and it would set me back a day or two if anything happened to it."
The bridge, which is made of railroad ties mounted on concrete pilings, is located approximately 100 yards west of his barn. Shockley said that on a typical day he travels across this bridge six or eight times. "This is definitely the bridge I use the most, but when we're cutting hay we use all eight of 'em."
Shockley chuckled when asked by a Washington Post reporter if he had taken any extra security measures to protect the bridges on his property. "I've got two Border collies that let me know when anyone drives up the lane, so I'm not especially worried. I won't be losing any sleep over it, that's for sure."