While our government's "war on terror" may not have reduced the number of terrorists world-wide, it has created a sufficiently terrified public. President G. W. Bush, in an effort to soothe the public and simultaneously fan the fires for his war, recommended a ridiculously low-tech solution for public safety - duct tape and plastic. In an age when technology is often valued above all else, it seems odd to hear echoes of the low-tech bid for survival, "duck and cover" - the low-tech solution of the 50s that would not have saved the lives of those who would be subjected to nuclear fall-out. Duck and cover was just something to do - something to increase public paranoia. Something to keep us running and practicing and planning, rather than questioning nuclear weapons.

Today with the new wisdom of "duct tape and cover with plastic," we are in no better shape. Wrapped in a flimsy film of plastic, we pretend to prepare for the outlandish results of any number of scenarios that may present themselves if WMDs are released in our neck of the woods. Even the President of the U.S. can only avoid the high-tech nightmare mankind has created for itself through a low-tech solution - bunkers. While these 75 Presidential Emergency Facilities may be appointed with high-tech amenities, it is the low-tech idea of cover yourself that dominates.

Now we would like to recommend a decidedly low-tech solution to the staggering number of WMDs both in the control of recognized governments as well as the hands of sects, terrorist groups and wayward whackos. Our solution - COVER.

WMDcozy is a public collaboration where anyone can help design and knit giant cozies for real weapons of mass destruction that have been retired. The brainchild of artist Tracey Cockrell and writer M. C. Boyes, WMDcozy is an effort to create constructive conversations about government-sanctioned violence using knitting and art as tools to literally put weapons to bed. We hope you will join us in collaborating for survival.