Watch it . . .

Subtract the political expediency and the word class schmoozing and what is left is the heart of the matter. The "War on Terror" is a failed leadership's attempt to deflect blame for ignoring a threat that predates 9/11 by at least thirty years by my count.

I remember when the big headlines were about airliners being hijacked to Cuba. The Munich Olympics. The endless middle east squabbles, the incursions of the armed forces of various nations into territory not their own. The endless vitriol spewed by newly empowered spokesmen of movements all over the world that voiced hatred towards America and other nations of wealth and influence.

During the whole time that I have paid attention (since circa late 50s) there has been an constant chorus of threats against "American Imperialism" and the "Colonial Leanings of the West" issuing forth from a peanut gallery of nations that found themselves benefiting from the knowledge and largess of those they rail against. They get a leg up on the road to civilization squared and return the favor by vilifying the benefactor. Usually for reasons that defy reason.

For decades this nation has faced a threat equaled only (I was going to say "in recent memory" but that would no longer be accurate) by the attack on Pearl Harbor. Such attacks, Pearl and 9/11, are unavoidable and unpredictable. There are no laws that can prevent such occurrences.

The past three administrations, particularly the third and current one, have had to play catch up in terms of how to defend against the threat of our own weapons technology that has spread, no surprise, to the world at large. Though there is a significant time lag, we now face the threat of weapons that are not current tech but are still quite capable of getting attention.

Considerable embarrassment accompanies such a revelation. Embarrassment is not helpful when trying to acquire the good will of the populous. It is of overarching importance to have this good will so something must be done.

What a pity that what has been done costs citizens a bit more freedom for a sham security. For it is certain, no matter how closely citizens are monitored, no matter how closely regimented their coming and goings, their notes and conversations, their browsing habits, we are no better protected from a fool with will. The only way to make life fool proof is to eliminate all novelty, all inspiration, all freedom.

The big lie told by gummint is that they are on top of things and that with just a bit more money and regulation everything will be fine. The big tragedy is the widespread acceptance of such drivel.

Senator Feingold seems to me to be a reasoned and dedicated public servant. While I was pissed about the FISA bill, I waited to see his reaction before reaching a firm conclusion myself. I am encouraged by Senator Feingold's statement that FISA will be fixed when Senator Obama is President and Democrats have a firmer control of Congress. It was certainly a smart political move for Senator Obama to vote for the bill. Republicans would have beat him to death otherwise. And to actively fight in a known losing cause would have made him look weak. So for now I am semi happy and there is always the ACLU. The important thing now is to enthusiastically support Democratic candidates so our courts do not turn farther to the right.

According the NYTimes, Obama voted for this.

Wonder what other kind of change is coming.