On Saturday, Aug. 16, at 11 a.m., at the Army recruiting station on Soledad Canyon Road, 11 (that’s right — eleven) cars with U.S. government license plates were parked at the station.

Most of them were Chevrolet Impalas or Malibus, approximate cost $23,000 each. A merchant there said that 15 such cars parked on that lot is not uncommon.

Recently I visited that office to inquire about enlistment terms for my grandson. As I entered, four enlisted men were chatting. Five minutes later, four enlisted men were still chatting, none having said even “Good morning” to me.

What’s this called, grass-roots militarism in step with Bush’s worldwide militarism with 735 military bases in 180 countries overseas?

Election of McCain, a military man from a military family, would assure Bush’s third term. Is Obama any better? Doubtful.

What historian will write the 21st century equivalent of Gibbon’s “Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”?