0585 - Spukhafte

Deep thanks, to all Readers who (1) e-mailed that they liked the poetic Challenge (OO #584) and (2) kindly did not inform our Proofreading Staff that Karl Rove is a Karl, not a Carl. The Staff mumbles that Google listed pages of “Carl Rove” cites – true, but then Google is simply a giant dust bin, collecting the true with the false. [Note: Is this a metaphor for modern education?] The error may be due to our missing the Feast day of St. John Bosco, claimed to be the patron saint of Editors. [More Note: We, having no Staff member expert in Sainthood, had thought he might be the Patron of chocolate milk.]

Now, on to that fine German word “Spukhafte” [spooky], used by Einstein to describe quantum entanglement action at a distance. Why is this important? Because it seems to be the theory adopted by the gang around the White House. They believe (or say) that if only Ir*q becomes the local equivalent of a Red State (maybe with candidates who play Country Guitar), then the entire Middle East and indeed the whole Muslim world will, by spooky quantum entanglement, stop listening to bearded mullahs preaching the joys of blowing up infidels. We don’t like to be dismissive of the thinking of anyone as “Intelligent” as our neo-cons, but our answer is: What’s the matter with you guys? Which brings us to so-called “Intelligence.”

Here’s a nice quote from Bob Herbert, the New York Times columnist: “There are few things more dangerous than a mixture of power, arrogance, and incompetence.” Rather nice, that. And here’s another quote from Laurie King’s The Beekeeper’s Apprentice: “.. indeed it gave me a lasting taste for what is called Intelligence (which is not to be confused with Wisdom, being, in fact, often completely devoid of sense.” Now, you remember that The OO has promised no use of the word Ir*q here until April, but the recent babbling of the proven incompetent Rummy makes these words weighty indeed. Rummy is certainly fluent, but his judgment is proven as worthless as a Saddam bond. In corporate America, which is beginning to dispose of incompetent managers, he’d be on he way out. Maybe we could give him some stock options on the proposed Baghdad Disneyland – and if one isn’t proposed, it should be.

We regret being a tad shrill about this, but given the many total failures of U.S. “Intelligence”, we don’t want to see any fooling around with Iran, or North Korea, or even Cuba. Listen to us, fellows (you, too, Condi): a country gets the Government it deserves. You cannot deliver a dose of Texas politics (complete with redistricting) to any other country, and if you try, you won’t like the results. It’s OK though, if you want to send over Tom DeLay.

A few last words about Bush Social Security “Reform” and the claimed need for Private Investment Accounts. Word One: The public is beginning to understand that Social Security is in no crisis, but does need a bit more money to cover all those extra Golden Years of retirement. Also, as explained here before, Private Investment Accounts have nothing to do with Social Security, and we already have all sorts of voluntary saving vehicles. Finally, our R.I.G. says loudly that the claim that America needs more investment funds is simply false. In truth and fact, Corporate America is absolutely awash with literally trillions of cash in the tills. Many are putting up billions of their cash to buy up competitors. No high tech scheme goes unfunded, and the Venture capitalists are on TV lamenting the lack of good investments. So, relax.

Next time: ‘Roids [OO #586]

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