So how did you try to point it out before Tom, by citing statistics? My statement was about what I'd seen in my lifetime nothing more. Of course I've seen other partisan battles but none of them ever felt so threatening. The operative word here is "felt". We're talking human characteristics not some spreadsheet.

I'm probably one of the most observant people you'll ever engage with when it comes to human behavior Tom. There isn't a single subject in this world that fascinates me more. I can tell you that the conversations of everyone around me have never been more strained and intense as I've seen since Bush took office and I haven't isolated myself to just liberal circles.

You have to remember I've lived through some very intense periods in our history - the cold war (of which I was an active military participant), Vietnam (where I was just the luck of the draw away from having to serve or move to Canada), the race riots of the 60's, the assassinations of political leaders, Watergate, Iran-Contra, the end of the USSR, Kent State, you name it. Those national crisis periods all had the same potential to create immense strife between the factions of this country. They did create stress of course but not once during those times did I ever feel that our republic was in danger of collapse due to overreach and a blind disregard for our Constitutional rights by the President and his administration.

I not only feel that possibility now but I'm surrounded by many others that are also in shock over how far we've slid. I am hearing for the first time in my years the rumblings of preparation for the revolution that will occur if the worst of our fears are realized. These aren't skinheads and survivalists that are thinking along those lines but rational and intelligent patriots who suddenly see the storm clouds on the horizon. You can dismiss them all you want as raving lunatics but it feels to them that it's you and your philosophy that have gone off the deep end.

I also have a faith in the collective soul of my countrymen that we will probably weather this crisis but that will entail good luck as well as good intentions. We're a financial or terrorist catastrophe away from pandemonium should the leaders be as evil and inept as I and a great many others fear.

So far dumb luck has worked out well for us as in the case of the Russian radar operator that went against protocol and decided not to launch a nuclear strike after seeing incredible evidence that there were incoming missiles on his screens.

Art