Michael Hinko Jr

"We are all made of stardust."  --- Paul Blomgren  

  This story has its origins in Albuquerque. One Saturday Donna and I were in our Corolla, returning from grocery shopping. About a block from our condo building a cop was standing in the street, flagging cars into a middle school parking lot. Another cop walked up to my window. He said the Albuquerque Police were working to prevent auto thefts by installing theft-proof screws on license plates. He asked if we’d like one on our plate. With auto theft being the #1 occupation in Albuquerque, it sounded like a good idea. Thieves can switch plates on a car. Then when cops are cruising and calling in a plate, the switched plate does not show as stolen. The cop installed the theft proof screw, and we returned to our home. What the cop didn’t say is that the screw isn’t just theft proof, it’s everyone proof.  When I got my Wisconsin license plates, it dawned on me that I didn’t have a way to remove this screw. I figured I’d have to take it to an auto mechanic to have it removed. Kate...