Home of the Brave

(Before we sent them all to Southwest Asia, at least.)

For your 'Land of the Free' file:

It occurred to me that, what with my opinions of the present administration's policies and my expressing them in emails and the domestic spying on citizens and the No-Fly List and all, I might be in for an unpleasant surprise when I set out to visit my parents in a month. (See, this is where the pessimism part of my Pessimistic Idealist outlook comes in handy: I've heard that you can "appeal" your No-Fly Listing to an ombudsperson, and I've already settled on how to spend my time should it come to that [work during the week — no sense wasting the vacation days — and be uncompromisingly selfish with my free time at the house]).

I bring this up because I have begun censoring myself in what I write in my emails.

Do I think I've done anything of any greater public-safety concern than any other resentful politically-progressive American? No. But I have no way of knowing that that's not all They need.

Yep, I've become afraid to criticize the government. Just a little, but more than I ever thought.

In the event that I have no difficulty boarding my flights, will I feel less concerned? Possibly. Until the next time I plan a flight.

I sure hope this war turns out to be worth it.