Surfing in Zion:

(A candid shot of my new vacation home and ATV)

Thought for the Day:
It is common sense to take a method and try it; if it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.
Franklin D. Roosevelt

The Big Business of Government:
It seems a few folks across the pond have their collective panties in a bunch over the actions of our elected government. Chiefly, this week it’s over the US subcontracting out torture to other countries. I myself find that anyone shocked over this is either stupid or uninformed. This great land is being run on a business model.

As anyone who has seen the effects of NAFTA on communities across America can a test, we have a solid business model of taking things we need done to where they can be done cheapest, ie: Wal-Mart killing the US textile industry, so that child labor in some 3rd world hell hole factory can work 14 hours a day 7 days a week on machines with no safety guards, for 5 cents an hour. God Bless the American corporate man, I for one happen to enjoy my new 12 dollar windbreaker.

So our government, had some things they wanted to do that are against our laws, they subcontracted it out. Problem solved, it’s not us torturing and killing, it’s someone else. We have a built in case of plausible deniability and low overhead.

Add to that the number of civilian defense contractors (we used to call them mercenaries), plus those hired to provide routine support services in Iraq and you have proof positive of the privatization of the US military.

In my own state our enlightened governor is hell bent on divesting the state of the assets our tax dollars bought. From toll-roads to state hospitals & prisons. No one seems to ask the question, if these folks can come in and run this stuff and make money at it, why in the hell cant we, but then again that’s something for another post.

We are seeing a time soon on the horizon when instead of voting we will buy stock, instead of buying elected officials and/or elections, business will step from the shadows and openly run things. Your local police, a subcontractor for Halliburton, your roads owned by great minds at GM, your parks managed by timber companies. Hell, the insurance companies already control your health care. Children, it’s a brave new world.


On the work front:
We had our big re-organization meeting last night and were told that everyone will find out today who, when, where and what they will be doing. Talk about anti-climatic, but I was told that I am both flexible and a team player. So, at least it looks like I still have them snowed. More after my meeting…

Some of the things I found myself thinking about this morning:
Last week marked the 15th anniversary of the First Gulf War.
Does the rule about not wearing white after Labor Day apply to my new Bucks?
The Republicans were going to end big spending.
I want to bring the ascot back, it’s easier to tie.
We use to have a budget surplus.
Things were better under Clinton, chiefly my 401k.
Rally’s is only good if you’re hung over.
We have lost more personal rights than at anytime since the civil war and no one seems to notice.
I need to have more sex, a lot more.
In today’s politics, one is just as bad as the other.
The rich and/or well connected can and often do get away with murder.
Uruguay looks nice this time of year.
Why doesn’t brown go with black?
I should call that truck driving school.

Your Weekly Bush Bashing:


Today’s Bill:
What a piece of work is man! How noble in reason! how infinite in faculties! in form and moving, how express and admirable! in action how like an angel! in apprehension, how like a god! the beauty of the world! the paragon of animals! And yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust? Man delights not me; no, nor woman neither, though by your smiling you seem to say so."
--From Hamlet (II, ii, 115-117)

Quote of the Day:
When they call the roll in the Senate, the Senators do not know whether to answer 'Present' or 'Not guilty.'
Theodore Roosevelt

I remain, the ingrown hair of your hopes for the future:

JQP esq.