5-0, hide your almanac -- I'm a little behind the curve on this story, but it bears repeating, or should I say, deflating. Apparently the FBI sent out an advisory to local police departments to note any suspicious people carrying almanacs like this one or this one, especially if they are annotated. The idea is, terrorists might use info on bridges, reservoirs, buildings, etc. from these books to plan their evil deeds. Well, nobody wants that, and nobody wants the Almanac Police locking up stamp collectors and trivia buffs, either -- but I honestly don't think this deserves the outrage I've seen expressed over it. The FBI is not suggesting banning the Old Farmer's Almanac, it's letting the vaunted "first responders" know about something subtle to look out for. Obviously, terrorists can get information from the internet, television, etc., but I think what they're after here is the admittedly unlikely scenario of detaining a suspect, say, taking notes under the Golden Gate Bridge with a pair of binoculars, and in his pocket is an almanac with the bridge entry circled in red, or something. The people who are upset by this should read up on what Ashcroft has cooking, that will make it all better.