Towering Over

It looks like our spooks might be even more invasive than we imagined. Cell-phone towers have been erected all around the country whose functions are not to forward cell-phone calls … but to intercept and surveil them and possibly download spyware onto your packet communicator. Already seventeen such towers have been uncovered and I suspect there are more ... see: We Live Security Article. Even though this article does not identify the source of these mysterious interceptor towers, it clearly hints at our federal government, possibly our military.

I am of mixed feelings about such government chicanery. Yes, I do want it to root out the bad guys, but then, as we know, once such a capability exists; it can be used for evil or even just mischief … just as well as good. And when we have an untrustworthy and often inattentive administration, it makes me even more chary.

My Hero

Oklahoma Senator (and Doctor) Tom Coburn is going to retire at the end of this year, two years before his term would be up … see: Breitbart Story.  Drat!  This man is one of the few in the Senate who deserves accolades for his courage in standing up against the many degenerative forces in Washington. I have watched him numerous times on the “Morning Joe” show on MSNBC and he invariably skewers those of either political stripe who are putting their party or themselves before our national interest (which unfortunately is most of them.)

In particular he has published an annual “Wastebook” pointing out the financial fraud and abuse which is all too rife in our federal government … see: Coburn Website. This waste includes silly and expensive studies, wanton destruction of weaponry, continuing to pay the Fort Hood terrorist’s salary for years, unworkable research programs, unwanted buildings, race-car driver sponsorship, etc.  This book specifies only $30 billion out of the hundreds of billions of dollars of profligate government spending in which the good doctor knows we engage.

Also, he is outspoken out about how the Senate’s legislative process has degenerated to the point were partisan bickering is the natural result of dictatorial abuses on Harry Reid’s part … see his retirement statement above.  I suppose this frankness might be one reason he is leaving.  Another might also be his health problems which are rife.  I hope that he beats these health demons like he has fought valiantly against the demons of our federal bureaucracy.
  

He s a true statesman and will be missed.