SpotOn. I'm a two-tour combat veteran and I have to tell you the incremental drift to authoritarianism in too many countries is more frightening to me than was my enemy in combat. I could at least clearly identify that enemy.

As I've matured, I now believe that my combat "enemy" wasn't my real enemy. The REAL enemy is TPTBs that create circumstances that make "enemies" of ordinary people within opposing sides. Folks just trying to get on with Life as best they can - loving, raising families, caring for others.

TPTBs' reasons - insidious as always - control, power, money; you know, all the usual suspects and all those predictable justifications to keep us "safe." No wonder cryptos and decentralization are a nascent threat governments are keen to control ASAP - before they get out of hand.

Good grief, images of Star Wars and The Empire are resonating in my mind now, "Luke."