But I am somewhat cynical about public comment, based on some recent experiences my significant other, a community activist, has had. She went to a public comment session hosted by a Government Agency, raised a valid point about a funding process, and was basically blown off. (The state of Massachusetts was more receptive when she went to them, and actually started something happening — they have some jurisdiction because this situation involved a municipal agency — but the Feds just totally didn’t care.) Call me cynical, but Bush & Co. have taken such an authoritarian path that I can’t imagine this administration pays much attention to any public comment.

I’m happy to engage in public comment, but I doubt its efficacy. And as you and I both know, street protest doesn’t seem to work any more, and besides street protests have become caricatures of themselves. Herein lies my frustration….