There is no reason to fear the Patriot Act. Unless you want to read a book. Then you are screwed!

A senior at UMass Dartmouth was visited by federal agents two months ago, after he requested a copy of Mao Tse-Tung's tome on Communism called "The Little Red Book." Two history professors at UMass Dartmouth, Brian Glyn Williams and Robert Pontbriand, said the student told them he requested the book through the UMass Dartmouth library's interlibrary loan program.

The student, who was completing a research paper on Communism for Professor Pontbriand's class on fascism and totalitarianism, filled out a form for the request, leaving his name, address, phone number and Social Security number. He was later visited at his parents' home in New Bedford by two agents of the Department of Homeland Security, the professors said.

The professors said the student was told by the agents that the book is on a "watch list," and that his background, which included significant time abroad, triggered them to investigate the student further.

Okay now if that did not make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up then you need to read it again. At the risk of being visited by our own little gang of fascists I will admit to having read some of the "Little Red Book" myself. I remember I got bored and then picked up a copy of "Penthouse letters" so my memories of it might be a little jumbled. Let's see if I remember any of the quotes accurately;

“Politics is war without bloodshed while war is politics with bloodshed. Then the doorbell rang, and you answered it not bothering to finish buttoning your blouse. It was the cute pizza guy. He asked, with a sly smile, "Did you order the pizza with extra sausage?"

Or something like that, I am paraphrasing of course.

Now at the risk of alienating the seven visitors that my poor little website attracts I feel I must go on record and ask, what is the big fucking deal about Communism? I know it is the big Capitalistic bug-a-boo and that it has been scaring the living shit out of our government for over fifty years but I just don't understandhow it threatens our open and free society. (Look I said that without a hint of irony!)

If we are all secure in the knowledge that our political system is "all that and a bag of chips", then how can the learning of alternative government philosophies going to threaten us? It shouldn't! The McCarthy hearings tore this country apart in the fifties and destroyed the careers of some of our greatest intellects. And for what? Is our government on such shaky ground that a conflicting viewpoint might tear the foundation right from under it? If that is indeed the case then we better start looking for a better form of government today.

I am fine with a democratic government. And when we actually get one I am going to be thrilled.

So if there are any CIA operatives reading this post I have just one question for you. Where do you guys get those really cool "Men in Black" shades?