jimn8@netcom.com remarks about the rising level of dishonesty in (presumably) media/political circles: *It's bad* I once had a faint hope that a change in administrations would reverse the tide. I'm over that now. People from eastern Europe recognize a lot of what they see developing here, as a recent poster noted. jimn8 further wonders if anybody knows a better country to live in: I know of several that are less intrusive in your private affairs. Unfortunately, it's hard for an American to find work in most of them. I've made up a list of decision rules about when it's time to flee to the first place I can find "three hots and a cot" (Places like Belize, for instance). Try compiling your own list, it's an interesting exercise. My rules: It's time to leave when... ... I can't say what I want. ... I can't own a gun. ... I can't use good crypto. ... I can't leave and enter the U.S. freely. Brad bdolan@well.sf.ca.us Somewhat related: Does anybody find it interesting that no one noted for over a decade that Ames had (1) a lavish lifestyle and (2) a foreign-born (Colombian!) wife. Normally, spooks aren't allowed either. A cynic might say that the lavish lifestyle was overlooked because it was attributed to the Colombian connection, and not to the other extracurricular activities. -bd