0602 - Curtain

In a curious but depressing way, this seems to be a time for terminations. In Washington, notice has been taken that the polls show that Americans want to get out of Iraq, and soon. In Europe, the French and the Dutch gave a cold shoulder to the bright dream of a bigger and bigger Europe. And, in Anguilla, as we have noted before, the real estate boom is spelling the end of a simpler and uncomplicated island. In business, the airlines of the world are going bankrupt and dying, and the largest U.S. automobile makers are sickening. Reasons for each manifestation are fairly clear, and will be concisely and bluntly explained below. First though, we need a few vital distinctions.

Please note this: there is a vital difference between cleverness and wisdom. Brother Rumsfeld, the U.S. SecDef, is highly verbal and quick, but plainly wisdom-free. The telltale mark of no wisdom is a refusal to learn anything or to admit any mistakes. You may note this higher up in the Administration, too.

Equally vital is the realization that the bureaucracy of any organization, public or private, does not have the same aims as those of us presumably served by the organization. This is true in Governments large (the U.S.) or small (Anguilla), and in companies from the size of General Motors to your local store here where they'll sell you an electric fixture, but the right bulbs are, yes, "finish".

With these principles in mind, consider the mess in Iraq. The U.S. Vice President, normally a worker behind the scenes, has been out declaring that the insurgency is shriveling up, a conclusion disputed by the Commanding General and the daily death toll from car bombs. Cheney is a clever and formidable arguer, but he can't recognize the truth. Iraqis don't like each other, and to a large extent, they have not been compassionate or brave in denouncing thugs. They deserve the lousy government they have had, and, alas, will in future have.

Now, what about the refusals to expand both the size and the bureaucracy of Europe? Think about the ancient and embedded governance of the European countries. If you lived there, would you vote for yet another hyper-bureaucracy run from Brussels? About as likely as a teenager ordering Brussels Sprouts. As for the size of the European Union, just look at the Balkans. These people have hated and killed each other forever. Do you want them in your club? The Middle East example is still more powerful.

Now, a word about airlines. For years, all airline managements have cared only about market share. They are going bankrupt, but does that prevent them from continuing their business practices? No, but it makes airlines hate us rapacious passengers, whom they are starving on stale pretzels. The airline attitude leads to the ridiculous charade in Anguilla, where millions were spent on a new runway and there is no useful service. Perhaps it is because there is no refueling yet, perhaps not. Could the airline offer dedicated baggage and boat service to and from St. Martin for a small fee? Sure. Will it? Ha! Take that, passengers! Have a stale pretzel!

General Motors is another example. Compare GM with Hyundai. Hyundai cars were once laughably constructed. Now, their quality has improved greatly, and they seem to be capturing the Anguilla market (it's small but tough). The great GM could care less; they are pushing volume. Buy a GM car for just what employees pay? That won't work – the smarter employees are buying Toyotas.

Next time: Expedition [OO #603]

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