To Turn Us Upside Down

Once upon a time a government surveyor brought his equipment to a farm, called on the farmer, and asked permission to go into one of the fields and take readings. The farmer objected, fearing that the survey was the first step toward construction of a highway through his land. “I will not give you permission to go into my fields,” said the farmer. Whereupon, the surveyor produced an official government document which authorized him to do the survey. “I have the authority,” he said, “to enter any field in the entire country to take necessary readings.” Faced with such authority, the farmer opened the gate and allowed the surveyor to enter the field. The farmer then went to the far…