This letter to the editor from the Eugene Register-Guard of Nov. 23 [via Adam] bears printing in full:

Patriotism is running strong, so we can expect to see some important changes in the near future. Americans who think nuclear power is a good idea will soon call for an aggressive switch to wind and solar because nuclear plants make excellent terrorist targets, but windmills scattered across the rural areas of our country do not.

Americans who think toxic-right-to-know laws are absurd will change their minds when they discover that the paint factory near their home is a prime terrorist target. Those who think Microsoft software is excellent will reconsider upon realizing that a terrorist hacker can attack 90 percent of the country’s computers with a single virus.

Americans who think factory food tastes good will soon switch to organics because small farms are less likely to have their crops poisoned by terrorists. Those who think their automobiles deserve new freeways paved through wetlands will soon switch to mass transit and bicycles so that America becomes less dependent on foreign oil.

And Americans who think the above statements are correct are dreaming. Most Americans don’t think much at all. Once the flag is in the car window, they’re done. They are now official patriots. Forget clean air, clean water, healthy neighborhoods: “I’ve got a flag and I’m covered. Presidential papers hidden? So what. Government access to e-mail? Sure. Military tribunals? No problem. Limits to media access? But of course. So where is the remote? Did the game start yet?”

Charles Magee

Eugene, Oregon