—From Harrisburg, PA.

Bin Readin: Osama bin Laden read books on everything from American politics to grand conspiracy theories, according to documents and a list of books taken in the 2011 raid in which bin Laden was killed. The documents were released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which made an attempt at cleverness by labeling it all, “Bin Laden’s Bookshelf.” The late al Qaeda leader had in his collection, for instance, “Obama’s Wars,” by Bob Woodward and “The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers” by Paul Kennedy.

Most of the documents were letters to lieutenants, some of them expressing a desire to stage a big follow up attack around the 10^th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

One of the curiosities was an employment application for potential members of al Qaeda. Among the questions: “Do you wish to execute a suicide operation?” and “Who should we contact in case you become a martyr?”

Permawar: The Islamic State has taken the Syrian city of Palmyra, their second major victory in a week. Now they pose a danger to ancient ruins in the nearby desert. Palmyra’s 2,000-year-old Roman ruins are one of the treasures of the ancient world. There are fears they might be bulldozed by ISIS as they did with ancient ruins in Iraq.

After the fall of Ramadi in Iraq the US is rushing 1,000 anti-tank weapons to the Iraqi military.

Nation: Sen. Rand Paul spoke for 10 ½ hours on the Senate floor yesterday in a symbolic effort to block renewal of The Patriot Act that allows the wholesale collection of Americans’ phone records. “There comes a time in the history of nations when fear and complacency allow power to accumulate and liberty and privacy to suffer,” Paul said when he took the floor in the early afternoon. “That time is now, and I will not let the Patriot Act, the most unpatriotic of acts, go unchallenged.”

Waddaya Got?: Waco police are still documenting the weapons recovered at Sunday’s biker brawl and shootout, but so far the number is an astounding 318. They’ve taken 118 handguns, one AK-47 assault rifle, and 157 knives. The cops are still sorting through clubs, knives, brass knuckles, guns, and chains with padlocks attached.

Many of the weapons were dropped and hidden in the restaurant where the fight began.

Coincidentally, the Texas legislature is moving a bill that would allow people to openly carry handguns in public and prohibit the police from asking whether they are licensed.

Goodnight, Dave: Late Night host David Letterman went out with laughs last night on his final show. He said, “It’s beginning to look like I’m not going to get the ‘Tonight’ show.” He’s being replaced in the fall by Stephen Colbert.

On To Pretzel Country: The West Virginia Power minor league baseball team in Charleston is trying to drum up fans to come to the ballpark. They’re going to have a “Redneck Night.” They do have their rabid fans, though. One of them brings a toaster to the stadium and every time an opponent strikes out he makes a slice of toast.

Coming out of Charleston, God is on every other channel on the radio. They promise eternal peace and love until you come within range of a Bluegrass station. Thank God!

There’s a lot of military equipment on the road … occasional convoys of Humvees with gunless turrets. Don’t know where they’re going, but you can tell where they’ve been. They are all painted tan.

The highway crosses West Virginia into the western tip of Maryland and north into Pennsylvania. You pass the Coal Country Miniature Golf and cross over Negro Mountain. If you’re quick you’ll catch the Ark of Safety Church, “Noah’s Ark being Built Here.”

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