Old Weird Ward
Unless otherwise noted, that which is posted here is opinion, which is protected by the First Amendment to the US Constitution. If you don't like my opinions, go somewhere else. Nobody is forcing you to actually read this drivel.
The presumption exists that you can read at all.
That may be a large assumption.
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Thursday, December 05, 2002
- - - - - Sorta Working Locally - - - - -
It's next Wednesday, and aside from making attempted phone calls (dumped into voicemail) not much has happened this week. I left lots of voicemail, and sent a few emails, but until today, no action. Kinda gets my goat, because if I'm not working, I don't get paid. Ain't the life of a contractor grand?
Well, tomorrow it's off to [un-named city in a coastal community somewhat south of San Francisco]. Yep, I'm protecting the guilty by being discreet. To this person's credit, she/he did eventually call back, and say "Can you come out tomorrow?" Since it's a paycheck, you bet I can, Hosmer!
Next week I'll make stops in Oregon and Washington, and then I'll be done with this contract - unless the contracting agency comes up with something else, which would be nice.
- - - - - Politics and Foreign Policy - - - - -
Have you noticed that a world-wide survey says that Americans are not universally beloved?
Well, Duhhhh!
Consider this: We pay the freight at the UN (25% of the dues paid come from the US), we host the blasted thing, and what we get is -
1. Hammered (rudely) on a regular basis in the General Assembly, and in press conferences on the grounds of the UN.
2. Diplomats who have been documented to be less than gentlemanly/gentlewomanly to the residents of the host city. Just for starters, they'll park their cars when and where they please, and scream "diplomatic immunity" if you say anything to them. Their offensiveness runs down-hill from there. You might see, in the NY Times, especially egregious examples of their behavior, on a very slow news day. Some (if not most) of our alleged "friends" are guilty of this sort of behavior. Our self-professed enemies are worse.
3. Diplomats from #2 above have their hands out to us so that we can bribe them to stop saying nasty things about us. (Yeah. Right. Like h*** I'll agree to that! First they can be polite. Then they get the money.)
Hey, d'you think the Swiss are dumb enough to want the UN Headquarters in their country? D'you think we could bribe the Swiss enough to get them out of our hair? Maybe the Swedes?
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