I see that you are indeed simply wanting to discuss the facts, Marlboroman. And I can understand that. Actually, you weren't the information "disseminator" I was referring to there. I think Pissy is the main disseminator here on this board.

So the freedoms you feel you've given up are those such as wiretapped phones, other things covered by the Patriot Act, gas prices, searches, etc.? I'm not sure how the sacrifice of these freedoms has affected me, either, or whether or not I currently believe it has affected me personally. I know I don't want my child sacrificed to a war with Iran (or any other war, for that matter, but I think at least our actions in Afghanistan have valid justificaiton).

Pardon me for changing the topic briefly here, MarlboroMan, but who in the world is that pictured in your avatar? The face looks eerily familiar, but I can't identify him. Looks a bit like one of the characters on one of the Brit-coms I sometimes watch.