The Latin motto over Poindexter's new Pentagon office reads Scientia Est Potentia - "knowledge is power." Exactly: the government's infinite knowledge about you is its power over you.

Do not be taken in by 'insiderisms.' Fledgling columnists, eager to impress readers with their grasp of journalistic jargon, are drawn to such arcane spellings as 'lede.' Where they lede, do not follow.

I could get a better education interviewing John Steinbeck than talking to an English professor about novels.

Have a definite opinion.

Is sloppiness in speech caused by ignorance or apathy? I don't know and I don't care.

When your government, employer, landlord, merchant, banker and local sports team gang up to picture, digitize and permanently record your every activity, you are placed under unprecedented control.

I'm a right-wing pundit and have been for many years.