Maggie's Farm

Dear Abby,

Some of my best friends tell me that I must have a fear and anxiety problem if I buy into the idea that Presidential authority needs to be increased during wartime. They say that's what Presidents always try to do, and wars are just a good excuse to scare us and take away our freedom. Plus there is always one war or another anyway.

But other friends tell me that I'm right to want the government to protect me from the mad bombers, because I can't do it myself. I'm just too busy and flustered to have time to monitor the Al Quaida phone calls to Boston and LA, but someone has to do it. That's what we hire them to do, and we fire them when they don't do it.

And my boyfriend says FDR did the same thing, and he was the Father of our Country. Who is FDR? I am just so totally confused now, and worried that all of this disagreement could damage my friendships. So what's a girl to do?

Sincerely,

Mixed-up in Minneapolis