The Internet Gets Pwned by NSA

Syria had everyone who is anyone in Washington – and their assistants – which includes me and Gretchen, of course, inside working today.  That’s a real shame because the weather was absolutely gorgeous outdoors and all I could do was look through the picture window at it as the sun shined down through a seventy-five… Continue reading The Internet Gets Pwned by NSA

Hold Your Nose, Here Comes Mitch McConnell!

We’ve never had an August day like this before in Washington, and we probably won’t ever again, either – with temperatures reminiscent of early fall and absolutely gorgeous breezes and sunshine.  Too bad I had to work inside, normally this time of year I’d be grateful for the air conditioning.  But Gretchen and I were… Continue reading Hold Your Nose, Here Comes Mitch McConnell!

Edward Snowden – Raskolnikov, Robin Hood or Rat?

Yesterday afternoon, Dr. Margaret Scheisshower, Senior Deputy Assistant for Policy to President Barack Obama, paid me a visit.  She demonstrated her forthright nature by striding into my office and selecting the chair positioned directly in front of my desk. “Mr. Collins,” she opened in a well modulated contralto with a slight Chicago accent, “the Administration… Continue reading Edward Snowden – Raskolnikov, Robin Hood or Rat?

Patriots and Phone Taps and PRISM, Oh My!

At a two fifty-five on Friday afternoon, as I concluded a lengthy consultation with a Slovenian economist on ways to avoid his country becoming the next Cyprus, Gretchen rang my extension. “Mr. Collins,” she primly stated, “your brother-in-law Hank and his sister-in-law, Shannon, have arrived and wish to meet with you at your earliest opportunity.”… Continue reading Patriots and Phone Taps and PRISM, Oh My!

Mitch McConnell, Ashley Judd and the Three Stooges of Progress Kentucky

Last night, Cerise and I went dancing at the Spanish Ballroom, which is located in Glen Echo Park, Maryland.  Glen Echo Park is the only US National Park dedicated to the arts, and yes, they have a couple of genuine Department of Interior park rangers there, too – with those green park ranger uniforms and… Continue reading Mitch McConnell, Ashley Judd and the Three Stooges of Progress Kentucky