The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street

In episode 22 of the first season of the Twilight Zone, space aliens decide to descend upon a quiet neighborhood to test the fragility of the human occupants, remove them from their comfort zone and watch their reactions. They observe the reaction to electricity being turned off on most of the homes while leaving a few others untouched. Autos all over the neighborhood were unable to start while a few others appear normal. The episode ends with the once quiet neighborhood in panic with fighting, finger pointing, suspicion and prejudice. Human fragility indeed. All this to test methods of invasion by the aliens at a later date. Our current Maple Street is the once dignified and honorable seat of government, Washington, D.C., and the center of hero worship, Hollywood - two corners of powerful social change. They have become places where service and dignity take a back seat to power, riches and licentiousness. Our leaders and 'heroes' have openly demonstrated to the world that they are as fragile and as filled with human weakness and prejudice as the rest of us, maybe more so. It was probably always like that, but at least it was hidden in dark corners. There was always a figment, a bubble of superhero presence. No more.

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