Most species of the noble crane inspire and warm the heart -- the Whooping Crane, the Sandhill Crane, Frasier Crane.

Alas, Bloomington has been invaded by a most odious variety, the Construction Crane. These noxious creatures grow and multiply like some horror movie pestilence, as we have seen before our eyes since early this summer.

I grew up in the Deep South, and as a child loved the Uncle Remus stories. Still do -- they rival Aesop in their trenchant observation of human foibles.

Along with the Briar Patch, my favorite was the Tar Baby. For you culturally deprived Northerners, the story involves Br'er Fox's scheme to trap Br'er Rabbit by setting a Tar Baby alongside the road. When Br'er Rabbit happens by, he becomes offended that the Tar Baby will not return his greeting, and smacks the rude critter, of course getting stuck to him in the process.

from Cathy Crosson

Dear Peace Community,

Please let's all keep each other informed, and the public aware, of FBI and other attempts to harass and intimidate the peace movement and other activists.

Yesterday the infamous white single-engine plane showed up at my farm, in Owen Co., in the middle of nowhere. It approached slowly, cut its engine and coasted low over my home. Then it did two slow loops around my farm.

Readers of this newsletter are probably pondering how to vote for Secretary of State in November. Those who refuse to vote, on the sound anarchist principle that it only encourages them, are at least pondering the desired outcome of that race.