(Published in late 2001 in the Federal Register)

The President has announced,
And Congress so said,
Though the Judiciary has not ruled or denounced
The prognosis is: “brain dead.”

At the tender age of 214
In the world’s history
We issue the following obituary:

“Constitutional Freedoms
Whether optional
Or obligatory,
Due Process,
Civil Rights,
And Rigorous Inquiry
Dissent n’ Protest
As political rights,
Not arbitrary
Academic Freedom
On every campus
And seminary
Were subjected
To a deliberate assassination
Not discretionary
They’re in serious danger
With a remote possibility
Of recovery
They’ve been in a coma
Without a feeding tube
But a possible catastrophe.”

Note: There was no press,
TV, radio,
Or photography

Act VIII: A Close Encounter of the Scariest Kind
Act IX: The Inquisition
Act X- Conspiracy Theory
Act XI- Secret Trials
Act XII- Silent Pain and Teary Eyes
Act XIII- True Patriot Acts