 For years I've had a neighbor who likes to make a scene and sets off all this contraband, if you know what I mean. But this year something happened that made the Karens thankful. There were no bottle rockets, and the street outside was tranquil. No helicopters buzzing, no Roman candles booping, no big salutes saluting, and no rockets loop-de-looping. And come to think of it, my friend, for that's what thinkers do, last year in my neighborhood was kind of quiet, too.