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"FWI, I agree that we should be concerned with any loss of freedom, however well-intentioned it may be during a dangerous time such as this, because every little bit we give up now we'll never see again."

While in theory, I agree with that statement, I'm hard pressed to see the TIPS program's intent as the latest Hillary spy move. Maybe I'm just naive?

We've given up more freedom via airport searches. We personally, and our possessions now get poked, probed, & sifted through. Our shoes are even suspects! We've done it with the hope that it will prevent terrorists taking over planes and flying them into buildings. While I'm not convinced we're any safer, I agree that security needed to be enhanced and my privacy needed to be invaded by the government if the trade off was better protection from becoming an armed missile.

I don't know that the outcry over losing these freedoms has been as loud as the outcry over TIPS. The irony is that TIPS is much less invasive (and would hopefully be more successful) than our increased security measures at airports.

But like I said, maybe I'm just naive - it certainly wouldn't be the first time.

One of the tabs this week said that Bruce and Demi were getting back together and she was at the WH with him today...Anyone know why his head is shaved? Movie role? Alopecia?

U.S. first lady Laura Bush welcomes actor Bruce Willis (L) to the East Room of the White House as President George W. Bush announces a new initiative to increase public awareness and encourage Americans to consider the adoption of U.S. children currently in foster care, July 23, 2002. Willis was appointed as national spokesman for children in foster care and joins the first lady in a new adoption public sevice announcement. REUTERS/Larry Downing

You're probably correct that the TIPS thing isn't an invasive loss of freedom, but I understand parts of the Patriot Act arguably were (access to computers, e-mail, etc.). Didn't mean to give the impression I was commenting specifically on TIPS. That's just common sense. After all, letter carriers frequently discover suspicious situations where people who are in trouble, e.g., old folks who have had strokes and can't summon help, and the mailman notices that yesterday's mail wasn't picked up and is able to call for help in time. So I won't be offended if a mail man or cable guy who happens to notice a bunch of bearded scruffy men kneeling toward Mecca and then gathering 'round a table to construct bombs proceeds to notify authorities. We all should do that.