Quote of the Moment ______________________________

Doctor Berger's bewilderment was only equalled by his outrage. "Now see here, officer," he said to the leader of the FBI agents who had just broken into his comfortable Seattle home. "There is no need for this. In this family we all support the war effort against the Minervans, of course, but there is no need for us to live like refugees. Melissa and I both have jobs here in Seattle, and a house, and the boys are doing well in an excellent school. It would be crazy for us to leave here to go and live in a tent camp."

"You have no choice. You are Kennewickians, and can only live in Kennewick." Agent Wilkes pointed to the door. "Now stop arguing and get in the van. We have other refugees to pick up."

Melissa was desperate. "You want us to leave right now? Can't we at least pack some possessions?"

Agent Wilkes shook his head. "No, certainly not. Possession of property by refugees is counter-productive. We need you to be as miserable as possible, so as to elicit the maximum amount of pity from Galactic observers."

The Bergers were aghast.

Wilkes turned to the couple's three boys, aged 8, 10, and 12. "Hi, boys, ready to fight the Minervans?"

Tommy, age 8, held up his hand with his fingers shaped to suggest a six-shooter. "You bet, mister! Bang! Bang!"

The agent smiled. "That's the spirit, son, you'll make a wonderful martyr."

- Robert Zubrin , The Holy Land. Buy it.