The American Eagle loses his olive branch

Yesterday Mr. Brilliant went to have his driver's license renewed. For those of us in NJ, the "REAL ID" program doesn't mean a whole lot, because we already have to jump through hoops to get driver's licenses, through a six-point program that makes it nearly impossible for anyone who isn't married, doesn't still have his/her high school diploma, doesn't have a gun permit, isn't a pilot, doesn't work for the government, isn't in active-duty military, doesn't own a home so doesn't have a property tax bill, lives in an apartment where utilities are included, and doesn't have a passport, to get a driver's license.

But after returning home, Mr. B. noticed something interesting about the holographic eagle that's imprinted on his passport: both claws hold arrows.

Historically, in the Great Seal of the United States, the bald eagle holds an olive branch which symbolizes peace in its right foot. In its left foot, the bald eagle holds thirteen arrows which symbolize the thirteen colonies' willingness to fight for their freedom.

But not any more. In Bush's America, the bald eagle holds arrows in both claws, which tells us everything we need to know about this regime: a state of perpetual war. And as we now know, if there's no reason for a war, they'll create one.

Check out your own passport.