If I may rewrite T.S. Eliot’s line to read “this is the way the world ends, not with a bang but a giggle,” it would describe C-SPAN’s coverage of a Senate Committee hearing on terrorism. Janet Napolitano — the head of Homeland Security — was testifying  about terrorism’s continuing threat (not unlike your dentist’s warnings about plaque buildup) when the camera turned to show some of the senators who made up the committee. Minnesota Sen. Al Franken — of Hollywood comedic fame — was present-and-accounted for. I could not tell if Caligula’s horse was in attendance; perhaps he was away on a quorum call!

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