I'm sorry, but this can't wait until Monday. It can't even wait until Saturday.

Yes I will be getting my computer back on Friday, and will have it hooked up by Saturday!

But I was listening to NPR yesterday morning and heard Frank DeFord give a tribute to Max Schmeling, the former heavyweight boxing champion and Hitler's "poster child", who died at the age of 99.

It seems that from the tribute that Schmeling was kind of a reluctant symbol. He refused a decoration from Hitler, kept his American manager, who was Jewish, and even hid Jews in his apartment.

Well it got me to thinking of how many Germans there were that didn't agree with Hitler, but rightly so, went along out of fear. That led me to wonder how many Americans now are opposed to Bush and his imperial policy, but are remaining silent out of fear.

I can see why, one need only look at the way folks like Linda Rondstat, the Dixie Chicks, and Carlos Delgado were treated. Bush has managed to create a climate of fear that last November, enough folks bought into.

I'll admit I too act with a bit of trepidation. But I still act. Maybe I and my fellow activists are speaking for those whose fears keep them silent.