As I’ve mentioned a few times recently, it’s been difficult for me to find a reason to blog. I’m somewhat overwhelmed by the inanity of the situation in the United States these days. What kind of people have we become? Just how stupid are we, really?

“It’s almost too easy to be a terrorist these days,” said Jennifer Mason, 26. “You stick a box on a corner and you can shut down a city.” — 2 men held over Boston scare released on bond (February 3, 2007) Associated Press via MSNBC.

An advertising company hired an artist to put up signs promoting an upcoming cartoon show. They did. Three weeks later, the Boston police department kicks things into high gear. “Oh my god! It’s terrorists! These advertising signs have electronics and wires!” There’s suddenly a police-generated panic.

Or was there? I mean, the signs were there for three weeks before anything happened. Maybe it’s only the police who panicked. (As a side note, if it took them three weeks to panic, you really gotta wonder just how safe they’re keeping us, anyway. Not that a panic was justified, but if they think there’s a terrorist-based attack, shouldn’t the reaction be a bit more immediate?)

Seattle also had the devices. “We haven’t had any 911 calls regarding this,” said the police. Philadelphia believed they had 56 devices: no mention of any complaints or panic. New York removed 41 devices from Manhattan and Brooklyn, although the NYPD stated they had not received any complaints.

Boston’s mayor wants to sue and there’s talk of criminal charges against the responsible company. Orson Welles must be spinning in his grave, thinking how lucky he was to die before we came to this. War of the Worlds? Nope…just more fallout — way more harmful to us than the radioactive sort — from the Bush Administration.

What have we done to ourselves?