Incidentally Speaking

WEBSTER'S FIRST definition of an "incident" is "something dependent on or subordinate to something else of greater importance." The second definition-"an occurrence"-is qualified with the adjective "minor."

So you'll forgive our befuddlement at the city's decision to call its new matrix of terror response networks "The Citywide Incident Management System." This "formal management structure," dubbed CIMS, is designed to help organize city agencies in response to chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear attacks-you know, "incidents." At the top of CIMS will be an "Incident Commander," who will coordinate the various incident response sections: operations, planning, logistics and finance. With CIMS, New York City will finally be in line with state and federal Incident Management Systems. How about we just go all the way and rename the "war on terror" the "war on unfortunate and embarrassing incidents"? Fighting with your father-in-law at Thanksgiving, crashing a plane into Indian Point, whatever?