Keller @ Large: Test Of The Emergency Feelgood System

BOSTON (CBS) - In case you haven't noticed the weeks of warnings airing on WBZ and elsewhere, today at 2 p.m. every radio and TV station in the country will be taken over.

Listen to Jon's commentary:

Now, for those who became alarmed yesterday at the news that an asteroid was passing 200,000 miles away from us – a "near miss," some of us were calling it – let me reassure you, there is absolutely no cause for concern.

The takeover is for the first-ever national test of the Emergency Alert System, and for thirty seconds or so, you'll hear or see a test message for the system that is used for weather warnings, Amber alerts, and, if it ever came to that, wartime civil defense announcements.

Speaking of the easily frightened, I've heard some chatter on right-wing talk-radio about this test being a cover for some kind of nefarious exertion or expansion of government power, ostensibly orchestrated by the evil, power-hungry genius in the White House, but my guess is that there is zero truth to that.

Interrupting regular programming is not a way to control people, it's a way to infuriate them.

But I see nothing productive in becoming fearful or angry as a result of today's just-a-test.

Instead, I propose that all of us pause at 2 p.m., and use that thirty seconds or so of broadcasting-free time to get a jump on Thanksgiving and reflect on the many blessings we enjoy.

We could start by savoring this fine Indian Summer weather we're getting, a reminder of what a beautiful place we live in when the elements cooperate.

We might then reflect on the strength and endurance of those of us who suffered through the recent storm, and those who helped them make it through.

We could pause for a moment to be thankful for our friends and neighbors, who make New England so much more than just a postcard.

And we could steel ourselves to forget about the beer and fried chicken, and flood our minds with blessed memories of the 2004 Red Sox.

This has been a test of the Emergency Feelgood System.

This was only a test.

We now return you to our regularly scheduled news.

You can listen to Keller At Large on WBZ News Radio every weekday at 7:55 a.m. and 12:25 p.m. You can also watch Jon on WBZ-TV News.