These are the days of damage control. Under - deep under - The Patriot Act - the rot at the top reaches unknown tongues. Which is why you might as well lawyer-up now.Avoid the 2012 rush. As we like to say corruptio pessima optimi - The rot at the top runs deepest. And the number of Americans walking around with security clearance created way way up there. Yes, kids, the Circus is in town: you can smell the Big Top from here to Gitmo and beyond.