Gvt: It's good to know that you're not as likely to disappear forever these days...

It looks like a Bush run government is a kinder, gentler government. Or maybe it's bad business to disappear someone who is a local media icon and had a Discovery Channel produced show about them. Chuck Clark, a Nevadan and avid observer of both the sky and the secret air base "Area51", will be released from federal custody on a form of probation known as a "pre-trial diversion", reports The Register.

Clark and associates discovered a network of motion sensors in the Nevada desert surrounding the base, which still does not officially exist. Some of these sensors were placed on public lands commonly visited by campers, hikers, and UFO enthusiasts. When one of the sensors went missing, the government raided Clark's home and took him into custody. Clark agreed to pay for the missing sensor and will be on probation for one year.

In the past Mr. Clark would likely have been aprehended, never to be heard from again. The government doesn't like to remember silly things like the "Constitution" or "Civil Rights" when one fools around with things that the government really cares about (just ask Philip Kramer, dead bassist for Iron Butterfly). I suppose the lesson here is to make sure you get lots and lots and lots of media attention if you ever go nosing around something the government thinks you shouldn't. You're more likely to return in one piece.