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Durasell wrote: "Yep. Americans by nature are suspicious of gubmint -- which is a good thing. But when it crosses a line, then it's a symptom of something else."

Tpaine once wrote: "You ever read "Unintended Consequences" by John Ross?
Good example of 'my line'. -- A clear effort by our governments to deprive us of any of our fundamental individual rights would involve me in an insurrection or revolution."

Durasell, I have a question for you. You inferred in your post that when I or perhaps any of my fellow citizens become overly suspicious of the actions of government something will happen and a line will be crossed.

I tagged Tpaine so that he would, like me, be appraised of your answer to my question.

By now, you must be aware of the fact that this country was founded by a group of men who had just recently been involved in a rebellion against the government. This line thing intrigues me. Is it the moment in time where we as as citizens of this great nation embark upon another such adventure? Is what Garry Watson did just a precursor to what is to come?

I do not know and that is why I ask you.

Semper Fi
An Old Man

I didn't mean to imply anything that dramatic. I do believe that when suspicion of The Government reaches a certain level it becomes a pathology. What it takes to reach that level is probably a long process that includes a sense of helplessness and a feeling of alienation from the system.

Mr. Watson was just one of many precursors to what will be a very trying time. People are becoming more and more afraid - of their neighbors, of those "other people" on the other side of town, and of their government. Neighbors used to work together to build fences. Now they look with suspicion at each other until a fence becomes neccesary. Every town has its "bad side" where the good people never venture else they get mugged or shot or raped. And when was the last time you suddenly felt more safe when a police car pulled into traffic behind you?
All this pressure causes strain where little or none was present a hundred years ago. Like any pipe or hose, the pressure can build until something gives. There's always a weak spot that will blow first. We rush to repair it and strengthen it but there'll be another weak spot later.
When government and/or civilization is applying the pressure the blow-out is becoming less frequently a harmless show of anger and more often a violent act, striking out at whatever element of society is closest at hand. Police and lower-level government workers will feel the brunt of the peoples' anger first, simply because they are most visible. In time though, appointed and elected officials will live in fenced and guarded compounds, traveling to and from their similarly guarded offices in armored cars.
Have you gone to the local federal building lately? Can you look up the home address of you local congresscritter? We're getting closer.