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My confidence in governments' legal goings-on (vis-a-vis private citizens) at the federal, state and local levels had been shaken long before the revelations growing out of the 2016 elections. Readings I had done [1] over recent years had left me, if not cynical, highly skeptical of America's legal system. That skepticism, ranging from city, county and district courts to state and federal ones to include the U.S. Supreme Court and the often too-cozy collaboration between law enforcement and prosecutors. In short, the growing political corruption of the justice system now appears to be a given. Although I have long believed that to some extent justice is the handmaiden of power, I perceive that things worsen over time. With that context in mind, the reader will understand why I pose the title question along with others.
Showing posts with label Deception. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Deception. Show all posts
Thursday, August 9, 2018
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
The F.B.I. Came by Corruption Honestly
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When I use the word corruption, I am thinking primarily of three elements: dishonesty; incompetence; and perversion of mission. Ruin and rot. Not unique among bureaucracies of every kind, corruption in the F.B.I. has been more aggressively concealed than any other I can think of, so that in the minds of most Americans, never having dealt in conflict with the agency, the F.B.I. is thought to be pristine.
Corruption begins with leadership. If leaders didn't assume their offices already corrupt, then it begins with an organizational shift from mission to survival, self promotion, aggrandizement and growth. Bureaucracies become paranoid over time, and decay typically begins with leaders who come to reward loyalty over competence. That paradigm for success inevitably filters downward throughout the organization, excluding (perhaps) only the perennially virtuous and (perhaps) idealistic new-hires who have not yet learned how the game is played.
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| Deval Kulsrestha Lady Liberty |
Corruption begins with leadership. If leaders didn't assume their offices already corrupt, then it begins with an organizational shift from mission to survival, self promotion, aggrandizement and growth. Bureaucracies become paranoid over time, and decay typically begins with leaders who come to reward loyalty over competence. That paradigm for success inevitably filters downward throughout the organization, excluding (perhaps) only the perennially virtuous and (perhaps) idealistic new-hires who have not yet learned how the game is played.
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
Media Suicide by Trump
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For decades legacy media have been a kind of symphony orchestra that performed hymns to the Left. They played well, forte and were consistently perfect in meter and pitch. But there is a new conductor in town, and he has provided scores with unfamiliar notation they haven't learned how to read. What were once melodic concerts have become a cacophony that their former audiences are, increasingly, no longer willing to hear.
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| Whio-TV News Set Ed! at English Wikipedia |
Thursday, January 19, 2017
Nationalism? Populism? Whoa, Nellie. Not So Damn Fast
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Those facile labels, in their generality -- their certitude -- smell of Leftist media, meme factories and think-tanks. And they are unconsciously, yet eagerly embraced and repeated by fearful, ignorant, thoughtless and inarticulate eunoch Republicans. "I don't know how to sort this stuff out on my own, so I appreciate the help. Anyhow, if I had an original and contrary thought, I wouldn't think of arguing. I don't want to look bad in front of my Democrat colleagues. And how will I be seen in the media?"
Those facile labels, in their generality -- their certitude -- smell of Leftist media, meme factories and think-tanks. And they are unconsciously, yet eagerly embraced and repeated by fearful, ignorant, thoughtless and inarticulate eunoch Republicans. "I don't know how to sort this stuff out on my own, so I appreciate the help. Anyhow, if I had an original and contrary thought, I wouldn't think of arguing. I don't want to look bad in front of my Democrat colleagues. And how will I be seen in the media?"
Thursday, November 17, 2016
To FBI Rank and File: Balls in Your Court?
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For a time the Bureau's politically tainted and cursory, pro-forma investigation of Clinton emails and the Clinton Foundation, was prominently in the news. As the narrative goes, honest, dedicated, hard-working agents are hugely frustrated and angry on account of the fact that no one has been held accountable for what is manifestly criminal behavior. Was Justice caught peeking?
For a time the Bureau's politically tainted and cursory, pro-forma investigation of Clinton emails and the Clinton Foundation, was prominently in the news. As the narrative goes, honest, dedicated, hard-working agents are hugely frustrated and angry on account of the fact that no one has been held accountable for what is manifestly criminal behavior. Was Justice caught peeking?
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Donald Trump: More Balls Than Sense. And That Ain't All Bad
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Trump's critics tell us a lot more about themselves than the man they criticize. John McCain and his love child, Lindsay Graham head a long list of pussified Republicrats who see a threat in anyone who dares to commit the heresy of truth-telling in public. Donald Trump has joined Sarah Palin, Michelle Bachmann, Mike Lee, Ted Cruz, Tom Cotton and (too few) others. At least for the moment.
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| Photo by Gage Skidmore |
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Federal Government Lurches Toward End-State Dysfunction
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End-state bureaucracies eventually crumble when four conditions obtain: 1. confusion about or deliberate perversion of mission (purpose, policy); 2. alienation of markets or constituents; 3. ever-expanding maintenance costs; and 4. institutional arrogance that forecloses adaptive change from within.
But even in a clearly moribund and declining state, inertia of scale may prolong their existence for long periods. In these times they are deceptively fragile and unable to survive crises of their own making. That would seem to be the condition of several agencies of the federal government -- State, EPA, Justice, BATFE, Agriculture, Education, DHS and, most recently brought to public attention, CDC.
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| Bloat and Mission Creep |
End-state bureaucracies eventually crumble when four conditions obtain: 1. confusion about or deliberate perversion of mission (purpose, policy); 2. alienation of markets or constituents; 3. ever-expanding maintenance costs; and 4. institutional arrogance that forecloses adaptive change from within.
But even in a clearly moribund and declining state, inertia of scale may prolong their existence for long periods. In these times they are deceptively fragile and unable to survive crises of their own making. That would seem to be the condition of several agencies of the federal government -- State, EPA, Justice, BATFE, Agriculture, Education, DHS and, most recently brought to public attention, CDC.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Dealing With ISIS and Other Enemies in the Middle-East
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[Updated on 10/16]
Now, I think, is the time for America to "lead from behind", or follow from the front(?) or essentially continue to do almost nothing. We should arm the Kurds and support them (and only them) from the air with special forces ground support. Not more, beyond playing the role of dishonest broker among the major powers: the Arabs, the Turks and the Persians. About this, more later.
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| Kemal Atatürk |
[Updated on 10/16]
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| Erdoğan and Obama |
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| Keeping in Touch with his friend Rouhani |
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
There is no Serious Problem -- Social, Political or Economic -- that is not Either Caused by or Made Worse by Big Government
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For a number of years now I have been posing the title statement as a question. In print and in conversation. Crickets and bullfrogs; the query might just as well have been rhetorical. Few have responded, and no one has ever offered an apposite answer. Big-government types occasionally make an attempt, but only after they've changed the question to suit a prepared answer. The most common response, for example, is to reply that government does some things right, which I've never denied and which is entirely outside the scope of the question.
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| The Course of Empire Destruction (Thos. Cole, 1836) |
For a number of years now I have been posing the title statement as a question. In print and in conversation. Crickets and bullfrogs; the query might just as well have been rhetorical. Few have responded, and no one has ever offered an apposite answer. Big-government types occasionally make an attempt, but only after they've changed the question to suit a prepared answer. The most common response, for example, is to reply that government does some things right, which I've never denied and which is entirely outside the scope of the question.
Monday, October 28, 2013
He's a Lying Son-of-a Bitch: Rotting the Soul of a Nation
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The casual reader, seeing the title of this essay, will probably (and in short order) supply one or more names to fit the specification. He may also expect the writer to name the best-known offender and his acolytes; he'd be wrong. In this essay I set out illustrate the general and alarming erosion of American civil society's moral and ethical standards. Particularly in regard to the virtue of honesty in civil society, and by extension, government..
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| Pinocchio |
The casual reader, seeing the title of this essay, will probably (and in short order) supply one or more names to fit the specification. He may also expect the writer to name the best-known offender and his acolytes; he'd be wrong. In this essay I set out illustrate the general and alarming erosion of American civil society's moral and ethical standards. Particularly in regard to the virtue of honesty in civil society, and by extension, government..
Friday, June 21, 2013
Comprehensive Immigration Reform and the Rule of Law (Part II)
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A law that is not enforced is no law at all.
Immigration reform has become the enormous problem that it is today for a simple, obvious reason that generally escapes mention by media and lawmakers alike. The failure of the rule of law. If immigration laws had been rigorously enforced from, say, 1986, our current difficulties would not exist. As in so many other areas (summarize the current government scandals as examples) enforcing existing law has become optional; the rule of law is largely subjected to the rule of men – the rule of power. The inability of Republicans, in general, and conservatives in particular to understand this elemental fact goes a long way towards explaining the naivete of a Marco Rubio and his compatriots. They understand the idea of conservatism, know the lyrics and the melody, and they consistently sing on key. But it is one thing to understand an idea, and quite another to perceive the world as it is and apply conservative principles. Consummate naivete presumes that progressives reciprocate in good faith. A dangerous assumption.
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| The Hydra Myth: a Fitting Metaphor for Comprehensive Reform |
Immigration reform has become the enormous problem that it is today for a simple, obvious reason that generally escapes mention by media and lawmakers alike. The failure of the rule of law. If immigration laws had been rigorously enforced from, say, 1986, our current difficulties would not exist. As in so many other areas (summarize the current government scandals as examples) enforcing existing law has become optional; the rule of law is largely subjected to the rule of men – the rule of power. The inability of Republicans, in general, and conservatives in particular to understand this elemental fact goes a long way towards explaining the naivete of a Marco Rubio and his compatriots. They understand the idea of conservatism, know the lyrics and the melody, and they consistently sing on key. But it is one thing to understand an idea, and quite another to perceive the world as it is and apply conservative principles. Consummate naivete presumes that progressives reciprocate in good faith. A dangerous assumption.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Comprehensive Immigration Reform and the Rule of Law (Part I)
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I begin with a brief reprise of a subject about which I have written at length [1] -- the pernicious consequences of any comprehensive reform. I have argued always for incremental reform. Comprehensive reform – by its nature – has two serious weaknesses. The first is hubris; the second, obfuscation and legal murkiness that creates the certainty of mischief.
.png) | |
| Hydra |
I begin with a brief reprise of a subject about which I have written at length [1] -- the pernicious consequences of any comprehensive reform. I have argued always for incremental reform. Comprehensive reform – by its nature – has two serious weaknesses. The first is hubris; the second, obfuscation and legal murkiness that creates the certainty of mischief.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Promising New Republican Senators. Open Thread
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I have updated this list -- as events unfolded -- since it was first published in April.
-- June 20.
Ted Cruz
Mike Lee
Rand Paul
Marco Rubio
Paul Ryan
Pat Toomey
I have updated this list -- as events unfolded -- since it was first published in April.
-- June 20.
Ted Cruz
Mike Lee
Sunday, March 24, 2013
"Comprehensive": Cover For Central Planners
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Comprehensive legislation -- whether emanating from a city council or the US Congress -- is bound to be destructive. The differences lie only in limits of hubris and the scale of harm. At the moment I'm thinking of the push for Comprehensive Immigration Reform, the recent fiasco of healthcare reform and proposed "grand bargains" to reshape the economy. I believe the principle applies universally.
Incremental legislation, by contrast, is more targeted, manageable, easily understood, simple and transparent. Its outcomes and costs are less difficult to predict. When mistakes are made they are easier to remedy. On the other hand, incremental is harder than comprehensive. Since incremental initiatives will be elements in a larger (comprehensive) scheme, they will require careful planning, sequencing, coordinating and prioritizing. Once implemented and evaluated in action, an element may indicate the need to revise parts of the plan not yet launched.
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| Alter to Reason |
Comprehensive legislation -- whether emanating from a city council or the US Congress -- is bound to be destructive. The differences lie only in limits of hubris and the scale of harm. At the moment I'm thinking of the push for Comprehensive Immigration Reform, the recent fiasco of healthcare reform and proposed "grand bargains" to reshape the economy. I believe the principle applies universally.
Incremental legislation, by contrast, is more targeted, manageable, easily understood, simple and transparent. Its outcomes and costs are less difficult to predict. When mistakes are made they are easier to remedy. On the other hand, incremental is harder than comprehensive. Since incremental initiatives will be elements in a larger (comprehensive) scheme, they will require careful planning, sequencing, coordinating and prioritizing. Once implemented and evaluated in action, an element may indicate the need to revise parts of the plan not yet launched.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Open Thread
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Guest Conductor, Barack Obama, Leads NRSO In Offenbach Series -- Washington, DC, 16 January, 2013
Interviewed this morning, maestro Obama was effusive in his praise of the National Republican ensemble. "It has been an experience conductors can only dream of. I have never before led a symphony orchestra more attentive -- more responsive -- to my baton", said a relaxed, confident and cordial Obama to this reporter.
First violinist, John Boehner (now in an offsite meeting with the orchestra), has not been reached for comment, but it is believed that he, like the maestro, is looking forward enthusiastically to upcoming performances. While the schedule is closely held by the conductor, there is strong speculation that, following the concluding work in the current series (La Perichole), the next performance will be Carl Orff's Carmina Burana.
Guest Conductor, Barack Obama, Leads NRSO In Offenbach Series -- Washington, DC, 16 January, 2013
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| Sage Brush Symphony - 1916 |
First violinist, John Boehner (now in an offsite meeting with the orchestra), has not been reached for comment, but it is believed that he, like the maestro, is looking forward enthusiastically to upcoming performances. While the schedule is closely held by the conductor, there is strong speculation that, following the concluding work in the current series (La Perichole), the next performance will be Carl Orff's Carmina Burana.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
What Is An Assault Weapon?
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Simple answer: it is a totalitarian term of art. But the skewing of the language by the Left to serve their purposes of aggression and control should neither surprise nor trouble us; it's who they are and what they do. What is troubling is that conservatives uncritically accede to the terminology and thus to the premises of our enemies. We should immediately and instinctively correct the usage to "defense weapons" (better still, "defensive firearms"), and when there is a mass killing simply point out that a defensive firearm fell into the wrong hands -- most often the hands of persons who are mentally ill.
Simple answer: it is a totalitarian term of art. But the skewing of the language by the Left to serve their purposes of aggression and control should neither surprise nor trouble us; it's who they are and what they do. What is troubling is that conservatives uncritically accede to the terminology and thus to the premises of our enemies. We should immediately and instinctively correct the usage to "defense weapons" (better still, "defensive firearms"), and when there is a mass killing simply point out that a defensive firearm fell into the wrong hands -- most often the hands of persons who are mentally ill.
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