#8 - There are many media reports of the semi-revolt in CIA for the then CIA chief giving Bush what he and Chaney wanted to hear, not what many (but not all) of the analysts truly thought of the information. I have seen it in both government service and the private sector, as Simon and Garfunkel put it "A man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest." And the people who fear not being in power will tell themselves the ends justifies the means, even if the "little people" don't agree or even know. IMHO

The degree was an interesting experience, especially as I stay as far from Homeland Security as I can get. Even decided to push back at a Prof. and it cost me a B+ rather then an "A" for not agreeing with his positions made known through "ad hoc" optional reading material. I showed how analysis can be used to balance threat and freedom.
"ESSENTIAL LIBERTIES, PUBLIC FEAR, SECURITY, PUBLIC POLICY DECISIONS: BALANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY" (Title too long, - points)

Introduction

In Fear Less: Real Truth About Risk, Safety, and Security in a Time of Terrorism, Galvin de Becker devotes an entire chapter to the idea that “Denial is the psychological defense mechanism we unconsciously deploy to make unpleasant truths go away . . .” and to over come fear, we must “change what we can change, and to accept what we cannot change.” (1). Yet as with the case of Pontius Pilate, the “truth” of what can or cannot be changed, what must, or must not be changed, can take on many forms, often in the eye of the beholder.
On February 17, 1775, Benjamin Franklin, following his return from England where he had gone with an intent to retain local representative government while remaining loyal to the King of England, told his fellow Americans: “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” Franklin went on to become one of the chief architects of American Constitutional Government.
On November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln spoke what have become some of the most profound words in American Republic thought: “. . . that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” (2) Revered as one of our greatest Presidents, Lincoln spoke these words even as the writ of habeas corpus was suspended.
On March 4, 1933, newly elected President Franklin Roosevelt spoke of fear of economic hardship in his inaugural address. “This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure, as it has endured, will revive and will prosper.
So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself -- nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life, a leadership of frankness and of vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. And I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days.” (3). Roosevelt went on to institute the New Deal with three major components: direct relief, economic recovery, and financial reform which lead to a major constitutional battle. By 1945 most of the programs were dismantled, World War II having had a major impact on the economic requirement.
On February 19, 1942, following the attack on Perl Harbor, President Roosevelt signed Executive Order No. 9066, authorizing the Secretary of War “. . . to prescribe military areas in such places and of such extent as he or the appropriate Military Commander may determine, from which any or all persons may be excluded, and with respect to which, the right of any person to enter, remain in, or leave shall be subject to whatever restrictions the Secretary of War or the appropriate Military Commander may impose in his discretion.” (5) This order resulted in the relocation of over 110,000 people, the internment of 65,000 Japanese Americans and aliens, 5,000 German Americans and aliens, and 300 Italian Americans and aliens. Not however from Hawaii, where Japanese aliens, naturalized and born citizens were critical to the territory’s economic lifeblood, sugar. Although revered as a great president, the Twenty Second Amendment to the US Constitution ensured he was the last President to serve three terms.
Powerful emotions, such as fear, can drive humans to paralysis or acts which others believe must be punished by death. Execution for desertion has fallen out of favor only in the last century, though many still doubt the condition of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. We are left with the struggle of immediate fear and consequences history indicates we may come to regret as with the Japanese Internment.
I believe we can preserve our essential liberties only if we balance public policy decisions with strict accountability. If not, fear promulgated by media intent on selling a product will lead to losses we could all easily come to regret.
In the words of George Santayana: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” (14)
In the words of Galvin de Becker: “Changed forever, forever the same.”(4)

This was a text book (as well as "The Thinker's Tool Kit") in my cognitive analysis class for my MA in Emergency Management. It is very insightful. As an aside, the topic for the final was an analysis of the JonBenét Ramsey case using the principles taught by the authors. This required all secondary source information, as the DA has yet to release anything, like much analysis is. For what it is worth, based on my analysis, the mother was innocent, the police department incompetent, and the press out of control in search of a buck. The press is the price of freedom, but demonstrating some civil responsibilities to go with the freedoms rather then "me first" chasing a buck is what makes a civil society. IHMO

It works fine with Google documents for those with a decent internet connection. So why load it up with more software though other users have reported bypassing Sugar completely and:
"Xfce - Lightweight desktop environment. It runs quite well, surprisingly!
Pidgin - Cross-network instant messenger.
AbiWord - Word processor (The real deal! I had to uninstall the libabiword package first, which probably broke Sugar's Write activity.)
Wifi Radar - I use this from within Xfce to connect to a Wifi network."
http://olpc.osuosl.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8209#8209

Though to me they are missing an opportunity to comment on improvements. But hey, it is theirs to use as they see fit. I am neither a programmer or hacker per se, but figured from the day I heard about it it was a way to help someone out and have a bit of fun in the process. A famous philosopher is reported to have once said "The poor will always be among you." So I try not to guilt out over all the things I could be doing. So I was a bit greedy and got one for myself rather then living in a rented room so I could give more to others.

Even if the venture fails, I am glad to have promoted the idea of access to knowledge will do more in the long run then anything else.

Please help me understand better. These people consistently paid their taxes. Doesn't that show interest in their property to the State? If not, what would the State recognize as showing interest?

I would think that the principle would have as a major point non-payment of taxes demonstrating abandonment.

Second, I find it hard to understand how being "nice" to neighbors gives them a legal right to take advantage of that (with all due respect to NY and the thirty day law for "guests") by claiming non-interest by the owners. Does common law allow people to change their mind (by putting up a fence to minimize personal liability for injury on the non 24/7 monitored property as a theoretical example) when there is no contract?

TIA to the real lawyers in our "Nation of laws". I am truly trying to understand how "The People" granted the Sate the authority to do this.

Ron