It seems that some here aren't at all concerned about the Constitutional rights of Americans. Maybe I hold the right to dissent and engage in activism higher than some of you due to my background [which we won't go into. Ask the FBI if you're interested.]

Anyway, I keep my eyes open for stuff like this. Here today, gone tomorrow. Me today, you tomorrow.

-- Anita (Anita_S3@hotmail.com), December 04, 2001

Answers

More paranoia. They *questioned* her. They didn't violate her rights and in fact, when she refused them entry without a warrant, they didn't press the issue, did they?

Anita, I'v been harrassed by the police before, too (back when I had long hair, believe it or not[g]).

Now, if this girl were *incarcerated* because of her political views? That's a horse of a different color, and I would oppose that. So would most people.

-- Stephen M. Poole (smpoole7@bellsouth.net), December 04, 2001.

"Anita, I'v been harrassed by the police before, too (back when I had long hair, believe it or not[g])."

And I bet that you didn't think that was right did you? BTW, under what Presidential administration was that? Maybe Jack Booted regimes follow particular party lines.

-- Jack Booted Thug (governmentconspiracy@NWO.com), December 04, 2001.

There's nothing wrong with dissent Anita and your heroine seems little worse for the wear as she should be. In fact, she's enjoyed enhancement. Understand Bernie Goldberg's book has a few paragraphs on selective pedestal promoting. Can't confirm as my copy hasn't arrived.

-- Carlos (riffraff@cybertime.net), December 04, 2001.

Now, if this girl were *incarcerated* because of her political views? That's a horse of a different color, and I would oppose that. So would most people.

Hmmmm, now what is the meaning and origin of the idiom "horse of a different color"? Most of us know that the meaning is "something entirely different and separate". But what is the origin? The best I can find is the "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" from the Book of Revelation where each horseman rode a horse of a different color. Each color mant something very different:

The rider on the white horse has many interpretations-one is that he represents Christ

The rider on the red horse is war

The rider on the black horse is famine

The rider on the pale horse is death

-- (lars@indy.net), December 04, 2001.

I thought it came from the Wizard of Oz when the old guy gives Dorothy, the Tin Man, the lion and the Scarecrow a ride in a carriage to the beauty parlor before they meet the Great and Powerful OZ.

-- Jack Booted Thug (governmentconspiracy@NWO.com), December 05, 2001.

Overthinking can be fearful or funny. Witness the above two and think about how we all met.

-- Carlos (riffraff@cybertime.net), December 05, 2001.

Lars, very elegant logic.

Further theories (none original to me):
The earliest legend regarding the origin of a horse of a different color dates back to the year 871. In commemoration of the victories of King Ethelrod and Alfred the Great over the Danes, there was a 400 foot long carved picture of a white horse covering nearly 2 acres in West Berkshire. It was the custom of neighborhood people to make it a "horse of another color" periodically by clearing out the grass and debris from the trenches which outline the figure.

Another theory is that the phrase originated with Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, where you find: "My purpose is, indeed, a horse of that colour", meaning, 'my purpose is indeed that'. The phrase's sense eventually changed to 'difference' instead of 'similarity,' and it became a horse of a different color.

Finally, a more modern, Western theory involves the registration of horses. Horses are registered at birth and the registration includes a record of their color. When a horse trades hands due to sale, the registration is also transferred. Sometimes the color recorded on the registration may not match the actual color of the horse leading one to suspect the horse is not the one in the registration...therefore, "a horse of a different color."

In my opinion, your explanation is at least as possible as any of these.

-- (just an@anonymous.one), December 05, 2001.

Anita,

I've been bitchin about this subject since forever. Take a look at the "war" on drugs and how it has affected our rights. Alas, I am growing weary of complaining about it, the American public does not give a shit. In fact, the American public seems to like the nanny state.

"Worry about my rights, or watch Friends? Hmmmm..."

Friends.

-- Uncle Deedah (unkeeD@yahoo.com), December 05, 2001.

I worry most about those with the best of intentions... like Anita.

-- Ken Decker (kcdecker@att.net), December 05, 2001.

One vote for Uncle Deedah...

Anita, do you think we can start a new political party, the March Party?? (left, right, left, right...)

-- Oxy (Oxsys@aol.com), December 05, 2001.

I wouldn't mind starting another party, Oxy [I DO LOVE parties], but I don't think I can march in these shoes, and I don't want to give up these shoes because people like Ken fear them so. Folks in the grocery store put their children behind them when they see me coming in these shoes, especially folks with red hair. I might round them up and put them on reservations, ya know. Remember that line from The Bad Seed? I can hear it when I think of the government knocking on my door. "Give me those shoes!

-- Anita (Anita_S3@hotmail.com), December 05, 2001.

A horse is a horse, of course, of course

-- (Me Ed @ Nickel.odeon), December 05, 2001.