I just hope they don't have Sony batteries

In the next month or so the population of the United States will reach 300 million. In light of recent revelations involving the Census Bureau and missing laptop computers, instead of celebrating our great nation's size and generosity we will be stuck asking questions we have no answers for.

There has been a lot of speculation on the information these laptops might contain, and whether it would be of value to identity thieves. That is to suggest these laptops were stolen. It is far more likely they were lost and could be found with a cursory sweep of Census Bureau supply closets.

Therein lies the real problem. This isn't like when the Pentagon misplaced all of those anti-aircraft missiles. The Pentagon has plenty of missiles. And if they do run out, plenty of money to buy more missile. And our enemies don't even have aircrafts.

But this, this is big. If the Census Bureau can't keep track of laptops -- which rarely pack up and move to a new city or lie about how many people live in their house -- how can we trust any of their findings?

It makes me sad when I think about the satisfaction the Houstonian must have felt when his city overtook Philadelphia for fourth on the largest cities list. Or the warm glow around the Latino's heart when Hispanics passed blacks for first on the largest minority list.

If I had one wish it would be they never know the house of cards their pride was built on.