Civil War in Jericho.

No, no, not that Jericho, but here is, a much more real, and definate sign of the times. As the economic depression deepens, people start to realize that just because their livelyhoods and communities are dwindling and shrinking, does not mean that the government, and its armed enforcers, have any intention of following suit. The pressures of stealing for your livelyhood from those who have nothing can always be a bit stressful, and my sympathies go out to the following officer of the law, who evidently couldnt handle the pressure any more, and snapped.

"It was just too much, having to return to court twice on the same day to
contest yet another traffic ticket, and Fire Chief Don Payne didn’t hesitate to
tell the judge what he thought of the police and their speed traps.

The response from cops? They shot him. Right there in court."

In this AP story about the troubles of a small town in Arkansas sounds a little bit like a parable for what is happening all over the country, first in small towns, and then, gradually, in larger and larger cities.

[The town] saw its last business close its doors a few weeks ago.

"You can't even buy a loaf of bread, but we've got seven police officers," said former resident Larry Harris, who left town because he said the police harassment became unbearable.

"You can't even get them to answer a call because normally they're writing tickets," said Thomas Martin, chief investigator for the Crittenden County Sheriff's Department. "They're not providing a service to the citizens."

Theres more to the story, so I do suggest you follow the link, though I warn you, you might be suprised how quich things can turn ugly, police cruisers having to be parked out of town because of repeated vandalism, an officer shoots a man in anger in open court, and no one will identify him, and another government official states that no charges will be filed, unless they are fired against the victim, while everyone is wondering where all the money the police department and courts stole at gunpoint went, exactly. The mayor didnt have a comment, but the reporter did note the government purchased car parked in her driveway. Seems this small town has all the elements needed for a classic tale of grift and corruption.

Well... Almost everything. On second thought, it sounds like they could use their very own Jake Green, and a little bit of luck. Remember, things do change fast, and when it rains, it pours.

~Tempus Fugit