THE VIGIL IN LAFAYETTE PARK, 
         An Exercise of Focused Lunacy, or Democracy Barometer?

From an earthling's perspective the sun may seem to "rise" in the
East and "set" in the West. From a broader perspective, however,
it appears that the earth revolves around the sun.  At least 2500
years ago some advanced western thinkers had already apprehended
the broader perspective.  Yet, under laws prevailing in Europe
only 500 years ago Giordano Bruno was burnt at the stake simply
for thinking that the commonly held perception of a geocentric
universe was nothing more than mass delusion, and expressing his
thoughts to the general public.

Millions of tourists from around the world have visited
Washington, DC, seen the vigil, with signs decrying the insanity
of nuclear weapons, and returned to their homelands, impressed
that such public expression is allowed at the executive mansion.

Many U.S. citizens think the vigilers are lunatics, and berate
them for failing to appreciate that "nuclear weapons are what
protect the freedom and democracy that allows you to do this." 
In the broader perspective, however, highly experienced military
experts have lately branded nuclear weapons "irrational." 
Perhaps "sanity" is relative, perhaps the U.S. is suffering mass
delusion, or maybe the vigilers are just crazy.

From the vigilers perspective, having witnessed a succession of
government <regulations> transform their "constitutionally
protected expression" into "criminal activity," those who see the
vigil as a tribute to democracy are deluded.    From the vigil's
point of view their <Legal Cases> prove that it is only their own
perseverance, rather than government protection, which accounts
for their continued presence.

Freedom of thought and expression are of nominal value without
Freedom of Assembly.  Having witnessed the development and
expansion of Secret Service <Park Closures>, the vigilers have
been concerned as Lafayette Park began to appear more like Red
Square.  As they watched the "legal principles" developed against
them used against others they have come to perceive their
experience as a yardstick for democracy.