I'm trying, folks!  I'm trying really hard!  I will say this:  some Congressleeches finally listened to their constituents, and despite sanctimonious blathering by Barney Frank (D-umbass, MA) and shrill screeching by Darth Skeletor Pelosi (D-imwit, CA) about how the current "emergency" is all the fault of the BushCoHalliburton Evil Rethugnican Machine, the bailout bill rewarding irresponsible behavior on the part of certain financial firms and homeowners FAILED.

And somehow the world goes on. And while credit is tight, there's no freeze. Qualified borrowers - read that QUALIFIED borrowers - can still get money.

That's all I'm going to say about the economy.  I'm not going to reiterate that this "crisis" is partially manufactured by the politicians and ardently supported by the media conspicuously in time for Election 2008.  I'm not going to point out that only a small percentage of mortages are actually in trouble, and that overall, our economy isn't crashing around our nipples.

I'm just going to sit back and watch the mad scramble for yet another compromise, and then ensure that I pull the lever against every single incumbent that voted for this bailout on Election Day.

Meanwhile, across the pond...

Police confiscate a walking stick from a 78-year-old man, because they claim it's an "ffensive-weapon.html">offensive weapon."

With his white hair, wax jacket and glasses, 78-year-old Philip Clarkson Webb clearly ticked all the boxes any eagle-eyed policemen would mark as 'danger'.

And as he shuffled along the pavement towards them there was one thing above all they deemed to pose a threat - his walking stick.

The officers surrounded the retired classics teacher and informed him the 3ft wooden cane was an 'offensive weapon' and had to be confiscated.

Yeah, this guy looks ridiculously dangerous.  After all, he was spotted by the authoritarian swine near a *GASP!* protest rally!!  Never mind that Mr. Clarkson was not one of the activists at the climate camp but was there to attend a seminar on trade energy quotas!  I would not just disarm him, I'd wrestle him to the ground, boys!  After all, you can't possibly take any chances with the safety and security of the British sheep, can you?

OK, seriously... is this REALLY the birthplace of the Magna Carta?  The Great Charter of Freedoms?

One commenter on the story said it best:

They are pathetic and out of control. And that's just the police!! What on earth is happening in this country? As much as I'd like to, can/should this all be laid at the feet of this useless government?

- Bob Baillie, Southampton, 30/9/2008 11:04

This is what happens when you infringe upon the people's right to self defense and prevent them from taking responsibility for their own lives and property.  Said lives and property become meaningless.  People lose respect for themselves and their rights, and the few who dare challenge and resist the state and who dare defy the edicts that endanger themselves and their families are promptly prosecuted.  And what they're left with is a bunch of statist pigs who are so afraid of dissent and resistance, that they attack an innocent old man on the street in fear that he might use whatever is available to him as a weapon.

Britain surrendered a long time ago.  The time to wave "Goodbye" is long past due.