On a Bicycle in Beltsville, Blissfully Unaware

First there was My Pet Goat, now this.

When the state of red alert was declared yesterday, the vice president was evacuated from the White House and the first lady was whisked to a secure location. But no precautions were needed for President Bush.

He was out at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Beltsville, riding his bicycle -- at noon on a Wednesday -- blissfully unaware. "The decision was made to inform the president upon conclusion of his bike ride," Bush press secretary Scott McClellan said later.

One would almost think that the President's (hswib) handlers keep him in a cocoon.