LH,

He may be jealous because you thought of it first. ;-)

I share your hope and pessimism. A citizenry able to fully exercise their rights could portend trouble for big business and government. After all, they might demand that corporations not be considered "individuals" under the law. And that "necessity" and "practicallity" in things like law enforcemnet efforts really are subsurvient to civil liberty.

And though I first used the initial metaphor (or is it a simile?) on another forum, the final line just seemed…right.

Fortunately for my on-line reputation, some of troll's best rejoinders are made fact to face and he never gets around to posting them.

BTW, It was hyperbole.

Don,

It's curious and sad that the issue of civil rights can't seem to transcend partisan politics. Which is tragic too, as the consequences are significant and would, I think, be acceptable to very few regardless of where they fell on the political spectrum.

Regards

John