O ne need not be a crusty cynic to believe we've just passed some of the blackest and scariest weeks in recent U.S. history: The so-called "bailout" legislation became law; Sarah Palin's marionette act was dissected as if it were actual debate; and the Army Times reported a special brigade will soon be ready to provide homeland defense. Ready, if needed, to deal with "civil unrest and crowd control."

I've been called a pessimist, crying doom on the Constitution and the economy. But not this week.