1812 all over again?

Well, unlike two hundred years ago they'll at least be better prepared!

The US Coast Guard is seeking out locations on the Great Lakes in which they can practice firing off their machine guns on board the Great Lake Cutters, vessels that have been equipped with guns for the first time since 1817.

For the moment the Guns of October will go silent through until November as the US government tries to find just the right place to knock off a few rounds.

The news comes on the heels of an announcement that they have also begun air patrols of the Montana/Alberta border, which is one way to handle any further possible Mad Cow break outs we guess.

The increase in defensive positions along the 49th seems to indicate a growing wariness of the US Administration about the happenings on its Northern Flank, a somewhat puzzling bit of theatrics considering the fact that the Americans probably have no better friends than Canada despite the occassional spat or nasty word play.

While they continue to build an actual wire and cement barrier along the Mexican border, the plans are in motion for an electronic version for the Northern reaches.

Walls, gunboats , air patrols all of these moves seem rather like solving a problem with a hammer, as opposed to a fly swatter. But we gather such is the mental state of the United States these days

However, if they wish to go back to the days of yore, best to remember some of their ancient lore!

We suspect it may be time to dust off the Longfellow, One if by land, two if by sea, but they had best just remember their history!