What would Mr. Rogers think?

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.... Jane is well on her way to taking the vacant council seat. (I don't have any resumes of the applicants yet, but Mark did provide his email ~ thanks!)

Life in this neighborhood continues on its downward spiral. Between the mayor and the council, nothing will be allowed to happen for at least the next two years. The only possible exception is that Council member Stebner will force his will on the people and disband the fire department - as illogical and unethical as that would be.

One of the commenters on the last post signed in as Hank Reardon. I have to admit my ignorance as to the meaning of that name, but a Google search uncovered an interesting character. A modern day philosopher named Ayn Rand wrote a fictional novel during the McCarthy era that highlighted the political oppression of minority voices. One of heroes in the book was Hank Reardon. Here is a link to the discussion on the book.

I don't think the council's actions have risen to this level, but the story of Hank's trial before three judges for actions that he does not consider to be illegal has some interesting application to our current state of affairs. There is one interesting quote from one of the characters who held power;

"'Did you really think that we want those laws to be observed?' said Dr. Ferris. "We *want* them broken. You'd better get it straight that it's not a bunch of boy scouts you're up against– then you'll know that this is not the age for beautiful gestures. We're after power and we mean it. You fellows were pikers, but we know the real trick, and you'd better get wise to it. There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What's there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted – and you create a nation of law-breakers – and then you cash in on guilt. Now that's the system, Mr. Rearden, that's the game, and once you understand it, you'll be much easier to deal with."'
-- Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged , Ch. III, "White Blackmail"

Humm, this could very well be the rumbling of Mr. Huson's mind when he imposed his gag rule on public comment. Very interesting, indeed. What do you think?

Karen