and on and on

[ricardienne]

All of this airplane business: not good. Does this mean that the government does need more powers to spy on us? I am tempted to say, "Okay, fine. Do whatever the hell you want -- and see if I care!" Although I don't really think this. We know the FBI and CIA aren't that great at using the information they get legally, and frankly, I'm sure they get quite a lot in ways that are not (yet). As far as I'm concerned, the exigencies of a situation might require extra-legal actions, but keeping those things illegal will ensure that they don't get abused. Saying, "the government can do whatever it wants in times of crisis in order to protect the American People" makes it too easy for the government to excuse itself in any situation. But the few times that it actually is necessary to skirt the constitution for the common good, excuses can (and I'm sure will) be made. It would be nice to see these "All American Patriot" politicians actually sacrifice themselves (or their careers) for the country and the people they profess to love so well. I mean, would Horatius have insisted on a law permitting the destruction of public property as senators deemed it necessary? I think not.

The Times featured Route 20 in the local travel section today. Grandpa would have liked that, and he would have written to correct them as far as the "mysterious metal structure" in Sharon Springs. Hmph. The least they could have done was gone into the American Hotel or the Black Cat and asked a local.