The government can now delve into personal and private records of individuals even if they cannot be directly connected to a terrorist or foreign government. Bank records, e-mails, library records, even the track of discount cards at grocery stores can be obtained on individuals without establishing any connection to a terrorist before a judge. According to the Los Angeles Times, Al Qaeda uses sophisticated encryption devices freely available on the Internet that cannot be cracked. So the terrorists are safe from cyber-snooping, but we're not.

It is possible to read the history of this country as one long struggle to extend the liberties established in our Constitution to everyone in America.

Many a time freedom has been rolled back - and always for the same sorry reason: fear.

One function of the income gap is that the people at the top of the heap have a hard time even seeing those at the bottom. They practically need a telescope. The pharaohs of ancient Egypt probably didn't was a lot of time thinking about the people who build their pyramids, either.

You could probably prove, by judicious use of logarithms and congruent triangles, that real life is a lot more like soap opera than most people will admit.

Texas liberals are the camels of good news. We can cross entire deserts between oases.

Behind a smoke screen of high-profile female appointees and soothing slogans, George W. Bush is waging war on women.