You have a long weekend to remember the sacrifices the military made and continues to make for you to enjoy it. Spare some time, won't you, to reflect as well on the danger you just barely avoided this past week.
There's a secret, distorted interpretation of the Patriot Act that just might touch on the feds' ability to track your phone's geolocation data. (Oh, and about that Patriot Act? Reauthorized in Congress this week, thanks to much hypocritical demagoguery. Savor your freedoms.) DIY drone builders are about to pair up with Darpa for big cash prizes, while more traditional instruments of death – Apache and Tiger armed helicopters – geared up for the Libya war. Rust took hold of the military's favorite hulls. Getting rid of it, literally and metaphorically, will soon be the job of an Army general, Martin Dempsey, the likely next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Nerds everywhere poured out some malt liquor for Hoss Cartwright during breaks from their combat simulators and holograms. And speaking of nerds, if you've got your heart set on lasers and robots, you might be one, even if you run the Navy.
For now, calm yourselves. Pack up your car like it's a mule and find some good prose for the beach. The danger will resume soon enough. Until then, think about those who face it every day on your behalf.
