Lessons in Life Imitating Art

Re “Hollywood Shakes Off Fear of Terror Images,” May 20: If they had made a movie of Tom Clancy’s 1996 book, “Executive Orders,” perhaps the CIA and the Pentagon would have been forewarned of an air attack on important buildings. Clancy writes about a civilian airliner that crashes into the Capitol building while the president is giving his State of the Union address to Congress, the Supreme Court, his Cabinet and other high officials. When the plane crashes into the building it explodes, the building is engulfed in flames and all of the inhabitants perish.

The only official left is the vice president, Jack Ryan. Ryan has been appointed VP only five days previously, to replace the former VP, who was ousted because of irregularities. Ryan faces the responsibility of rebuilding the government while facing an antagonistic coalition of China, India, Japan, Iran, Iraq and other members of an “axis of evil.” Ultimately, the U.S. attacks Iraq.

Perhaps the CIA should hire Clancy as a consultant.

Howard Niederman

San Clemente