Long ago, a great idea sparked the beginning of the most wonderful experiment in human history -- the trial of tolerance under law and a nation founded on individual rights and liberty as senior docrtrines. Though very bumpy and rough, the experiment -- along with a lot of natural advantages -- gradually built great prosperity in this country. More than its commercial success, it was the pride of its citizens that it had this core respect for self-determination, a more rational way of organizing a government, a better way of life.

There are numerous anecdotes surfacing of late which point ot the interesting possibility that this bright light of sanity has been dramatically subdued if not doused.

Here is one such story concerning the decline of our scientific research community under current law.

Another recent tale of a Canadian citizen nabbed in the US and then exported to Syria, where he was tortured, was posted elsewhere on the Cat and int he news.

An extremely dramatic tale of a nation subjected to draconian interference in the name of security is found in this story from Salon.

These are the worst horror stories of individual madness magnified by the amplifying power of a government caught of in the throes of obsession and paranoia.

While I can understand individual pain and individual anger in the wake of the 9-11 attacks, I feel we are making a profound error if we institutionalize those reactions and gradually bring the nation as a whole into the mire of insanity. There are not many bastions of individual freedom on the planet, you know.

Your remarks are welcome.

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