U.S. Forest Service worker Terry Barton's blatantly destructive actions should serve as yet another wake-up call to America's cultural decline into a superficial society of "victimology," selfish interests and extremes.

True or not, Barton's excuse for starting the devastating Colorado forest fire -- she said she was burning a letter from her estranged husband -- is merely an added indictment of our deeply troubled times.

Sadly, in this vindictively angry world of victim convenience, it should come as no surprise if Barton plays the "victim card" and blames the whole thing on her husband.

Daniel B. Jeffs, founder
The Direct Democracy Center

Note: Below is the first letter sent to USA Today. It was later condensed, re-sent and published.

CARELESS COLORADO FIRE STARTER:
Another indictment of our deeply troubled times
June 17, 2002

U.S. Forest Service worker Terry Barton's blatantly destructive actions should serve as yet another wake-up call to America's cultural decline into a superficial society of victimology, selfish interests and extremes.

True or not, Barton's excuse for accidentally starting the devastating Colorado forest fire by burning a disturbing letter from her estranged husband, regardless of what dangers her act posed to life, property and the Pike National Forest, is merely an added indictment of our deeply troubled times.

Sadly, in just a few decades, one must come to the inescapable conclusion that, our once great nation has plummeted into the abyss of tyrannical special interests, overwhelming government, failed education, political tumult, social aggression, litigation mongering, stock market madness and corporate calamity.

Alas, the horrific September 11th terrorist attack on America seems to have done little to loosen the suicidal stranglehold that the instant gratification, self-absorbed, self-indulgent, media-driven chattering class has on what could very well be a society doomed by the variable values of the education establishment and the elites, the Constitution-usurping judicial regime, unabated corporate power, and the "me generation" dominating the political culture in Washington.

As for Terry Bartons of this vindictively angry world of victim convenience, it should come as no surprise if she plays the "V" card and blames the whole thing on her husband.