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If You Have to Fry, Hawaii is the Place to Do It

The false cell phone warning of “BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND” to Hawaii sent islanders and tourists into a panic — after all, it even said “THIS IS NOT A DRILL.” The real problem, officials say, is that while it was quickly determined to be a false alarm, it took 38 minutes for a follow-up message to be sent through the same warning systems to let everyone know they weren’t about to die. In a press conference later, Gov. David Ige explained how it happened: an “employee pushed the wrong button.” (RC/Honolulu Star-Advertiser) ...Not too reassuring: that’s how the missiles would be launched in the first place.
Author’s Note: There’s more on this story in my blog, at https://thisistrue.com/this-is-not-a-drill/
Original Publication Date: 14 January 2018
This story is in True’s book collections, in Volume 24.

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I believe humanity is held back by the lack of thinking. I provoke thought with examples of what happens when we don’t think, and when we do. This is True is my primary method: stories like this come out every week by email, and basic subscriptions are free. Click here for a subscribe form.

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