Fireworks by James A. Moore - May 2001

In the interest of National Security... Amendment I Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Amendment II A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. Their weapons have been seized, their homes have become their prisons, their telephones and radios are no longer functioning. Amendment III No Soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. Collier, Georgia has been taken, stormed by men in dark armor at a time when the town has just suffered its greatest moment of tragedy. As hundreds lay dying or injured, the citizens of Collier and the hundreds of strangers who were only there for the Independence Day fireworks displays, find themselves unable to escape their town, cut off from every possible source of help. The soldiers have taken over the hotels, the high school, everything. The only law in Collier is enforced by the weapons of the invading forces. Amendment IV The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. A small town has become a prison, a place where even the right to live is questioned every hour, every day. Sooner or later, something has to give...