Homeland Depot

This is interesting:

CHICAGO (MarketWatch) -- Former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge will
join the board of Home Depot Inc., replacing Roger Penske, the company said
Thursday.

[snip]

Ridge is quite familiar with home-improvement projects. He was instrumental
in a short-lived run on duct tape in early 2003, when he encouraged Americans to
turn to the sticky substance and plastic sheeting as protection against
terrorists using chemical and/or biological agents.

The move, which drew criticism from many corners, motivated many across
the country to stock up -- to the extent that some retailers reported widespread
shortages.

Both Home Depot and rival Lowe's Cos. ... were among the big
beneficiaries of the buying binge. Home Depot, in fact, went so far as to set up
special Homeland Security displays nears it entrances to tout sales of duct
tape, plastic sheeting, batteries and bottled water, among other safe-room
supplies.

At the time, Ridge had just upped the color-coded security threat
advisory to orange, the second highest level. That was lowered in November 2004
to yellow, in the middle of the five-level alert range.

No conspiracy, I guess, but maybe a little tit-for-tat (or tit-for-tape).