Uncle Santa

The national debate about the latest secret program to slither out into the cold light of day roars on. I hadn't remarked on it previously because there wouldn't be anything new to reveal. I was angry to learn of the latest abuse, but not altogether surprised. The current pack of warrior chiefs have a predilection for secrecy and driven by paranoia, little apparent regard for the rights of anyone. Pretty soon we're going to need a list (and check it at least twice) to keep track of all the outrageous crap that's going on right now.

I'm posting for two reasons.

First, the Star used an oddly misleading title for an Op/Ed by Paul Campos and I'm just idly wondering why. The original column title was apparently Campos: President has gone too far. For some reason, the Star ran it as Sometimes in war, we must just trust the president. Maybe we're reading things differently, but the tone of the commentary and the title seem incongruent.

The other reason is to point out a wonderful Hit & Run thread. It covers the subject quite thoroughly, with a lot of angles considered and discussed. They even got into the Alien and Sedition acts, the Federalists heavy handed attempt at domestic control that Adams failed to head off. The result was a rising tide of Republican fervor that played a part in Jefferson's victory in the next election. Good reading. Also of interest, Jacob Sullum's follow up for Reason.