Casual Friday

Looking at me with barely concealed scorn, he said, "Isn't it a little early for 'Casual Friday'?". 
To which I replied, "I normally work from home, but am in the office today.  I'm calling it 'Pants Wednesday' ". 

No Sidelines

There are no sidelines, folks,
and no grandstands.
The fact that you choose to just sit and watch
doesn’t mean they won’t be bowled over. 

It just means you’ll be surprised. 

 

Cold War vs. Sequester

The Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union was ‘cold’ because of the implicit understanding of MAD (mutally assured destruction); each side had enough retaliatory capacity to assure that any attack would be as deadly to the attacker as to the attacked – and there would be no winner.  As long as nobody pushed the button, we could all avoid global annihilation. 

The fundamental differences compared to current ongoing serial crises in national governance are: 

• Somebody had to push the button to initiate catastrophe in the Cold War; Now affirmative action has to be takan to PREVENT it.  Sins of omission are so much easier to commit – then disavow.  
• The destruction isn’t as immediately visible as the final scene from Dr. Stangelove.   Vulnerable people will feel the effects immediately, but the wind-down of the overall economy will take a little time.  
• Neither the US nor the Soviets actually WANTED global nuclear annihilation. 

Indian Team Names

I’m on board with the movement to change references to Native Americans from geographical features and sports teams. 

I just hope we will make an exception for the Sioux City Sioux. 

Burning Building

The experience of being rescued was like nothing she'd ever felt before; so warm, so secure, so loved. 

Hoping to feel that way again, she ran back into the burning building, and was lost. 

Getting Stuck

It's an ironic, but understood reality that driving a powerful four-wheel drive rig, with big, deep-treaded tires will not keep you from getting stuck;
It just increases the likelihood that you'll be beyond the reach of help when you do. 

I can't escape the idea that there are analogies for this all over the place: massive military power, high intelligence, great wealth, etc.   

Scandal in High Places - French Version

A scandal recently came to light in the French Foreign Service. 

It appears that le général Jean-Mireille Giscard des Etoiles, Commandant of EU forces in le Maghreb, has for some years NOT been having an affair with his personal assistant and biographer, Mme. Claudine Pompadour. 

Because of his many years of distinguished service—including numerous previous affairs with married women—le général des Etoiles is being allowed to remain in his post until the end of the year, at which time he will quietly retire. 

Mme Pompadour could not be reached for comment.  She is rumored to be recovering on the island of Ibiza , hoping to escape the taint of scandal, and rebuild her reputation.