Three days after government officials told citizens to prepare for a possible terrorist attack by stocking three days’ worth of food and water and buying duct tape and plastic sheeting to seal windows and doors, USA TODAY’s Mimi Hall spoke with Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge about the government’s admonition and the increased terrorism threat. Ridge said citizens shouldn’t be alarmed. The government’s goal , he said, is to educate people about the dangers they face and the preparations they can make. Here are excerpts from Thursday’s interview, edited for length and clarity. Full Story