...or how I learned to stop worrying and come to love the new Globalist Utopia.
Folks, the UN has released the final version of it's international arms trade treaty.
I have read it and I have come to the conclusion that it, and a buck, won't buy you a cup of coffee at Starbucks. It's the UN's version of Busywork for Bureaucrats.
I'm no legal scholar, not an expert in treaties, but the Crazed American does actually possess a piece of paper here in BaseCamp Ponderosa that indicates a certain place of higher learning in a far off, flat land conferred upon me a degree in International Affairs. I wasn't a terribly good student, but I learned me some interesting knowledge.
Having read the firestorm of fear and paranoia coming out of the pro-gun press (of which I count myself part of, BTW), and having read the entire text of the treaty (twice), allow me to distill what I know about what this treaty means to anyone:
JACK-F---ING-S#!+
It has no teeth, can do nothing. Even if it did authorize the UN to build a force to go into the USofA and confiscate all of it's scary weapons, what would be the result? This will have zero effect on the global arms trade - legal or illegal. It merely creates a new avenue for bribes from arms merchants to bureaucrats! What do you think could happen? Some Belgian Blue-Hats would pour off of landing craft on the Atlantic Coast, and...? What could they do?
We (pro-2A media) all need to take a deep breath on this. This UN treaty is about the inter-State (national governments) transfer of arms. Even if G-d Himself blessed the NGO bureaucrats with a window of non-corrupt and efficient thinking, how the h-ll could they accomplish such a thing? They can't even come up with effective sanctions against Iran and North Korea. Peacekeeping in Africa? Israeli / Arab relations? The UN is utterly incompetent, and above all, powerless.
As Star Trek fans (again, I count myself as one) will tell you: we just ain't ready for global governance. The Federation wasn't set up as a galactic government - it was a Federation of allied worlds that agreed on specific, terms and guaranteed specific freedoms. As long as member worlds agree to protect the specific freedoms and play nice with the other members, they could do their own thing.
Some of you out there will wonder - What if they use the language of this treaty to further take away our Creator-Endowed Rights? My response - what, like our own clowns in Washington construing the Constitution to allow drone flights and military operations and surveillance domestically? Or the due-process-less incarceration of American Citizens? Or the targeted assassination of American Citizens?Those things could never happen because we have a piece of paper, right?
All this treaty does is set up a bureaucracy none of the member states can afford. So, they won't support it. They'll pay it some lip service, they'll extract some fines from some violators - but nothing will happen. It does not provide any mechanism, unless our own government does it, to restrict American's right to keep and bear arms. The only people who can take our guns away is: US. Not the UN, not scared teenagers from Europe wearing fetching sky-blue helmets.
The Constitution, Articles of Federation, UN Charter, treaties of all sorts - they're all pieces of paper - social contracts - codified agreements between people. They, like the people who sign them and the ideas they embody are not permanent, not immutable.
They all have to be renegotiated. Those negotiations can either be nice and civil... or bloody and terrible.
There is a foul portent of the future, of the "civilized" world. This treaty ain't anything to worry about.
There's much bigger fish to fry,
MOLON LABE,
Crazed American, Out.
28 March 2013
20 March 2013
Yep, I, the Crazed American...
...am a fan of Senator Harry Reid.
If the legions of loyal Crazed American readers will recall:
http://troaca.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-law-of-unintended-consequences-of.html
Now: The travesty that was Senator Feinstein's patently un-Constitutional gun-grab is pretty much, as promised DOA - it can be reintroduced as an amendment.
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/Decoder-Wire/2013/0319/Assault-weapons-ban-now-unlikely-to-pass.-What-happened
I stated that Senator Reid ain't such a bad guy. He has a solid record of defending the Second Amendment. Before I have stated that I disagree with 99% of everything he does. No longer true - we'll call it 75% (and that would go to 50% if he could get the Senate to start pushing to pass a budget). He is between a rock and a hard place. He is a politician, so there is that. I'll not say a bad thing about him and will now defend him in front of my "less than open minded" associates.
Today is a good day,
Crazed American, out.
UPDATE!!
I take it all back. He's an idiot. Throughout history - imagined tyranny has had a very bad habit of cropping up as quite real tyrrany, given the room to flourish.
REID: In the 1920s, organized crime was committing murders with machine guns. So Congress dramatically limited the sale and transfer of machine guns. As a result, machine guns all but disappeared from the streets. We can and should take the same common-sense approach to safeguard Americans from modern weapons of war.
That is why I will vote for Senator Dianne Feinstein’s assault weapons ban – because we must strike a better balance between the right to defend ourselves and the right of every child in America to grow up safe from gun violence. I will vote for the ban because maintaining law and order is more important than satisfying conspiracy theorists who believe in black helicopters and false flags. And I will vote for the ban because saving the lives of young police officers and innocent civilians is more important than preventing imagined tyranny.
If the legions of loyal Crazed American readers will recall:
http://troaca.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-law-of-unintended-consequences-of.html
Now: The travesty that was Senator Feinstein's patently un-Constitutional gun-grab is pretty much, as promised DOA - it can be reintroduced as an amendment.
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/Decoder-Wire/2013/0319/Assault-weapons-ban-now-unlikely-to-pass.-What-happened
I stated that Senator Reid ain't such a bad guy. He has a solid record of defending the Second Amendment. Before I have stated that I disagree with 99% of everything he does. No longer true - we'll call it 75% (and that would go to 50% if he could get the Senate to start pushing to pass a budget). He is between a rock and a hard place. He is a politician, so there is that. I'll not say a bad thing about him and will now defend him in front of my "less than open minded" associates.
Today is a good day,
Crazed American, out.
UPDATE!!
I take it all back. He's an idiot. Throughout history - imagined tyranny has had a very bad habit of cropping up as quite real tyrrany, given the room to flourish.
REID: In the 1920s, organized crime was committing murders with machine guns. So Congress dramatically limited the sale and transfer of machine guns. As a result, machine guns all but disappeared from the streets. We can and should take the same common-sense approach to safeguard Americans from modern weapons of war.
That is why I will vote for Senator Dianne Feinstein’s assault weapons ban – because we must strike a better balance between the right to defend ourselves and the right of every child in America to grow up safe from gun violence. I will vote for the ban because maintaining law and order is more important than satisfying conspiracy theorists who believe in black helicopters and false flags. And I will vote for the ban because saving the lives of young police officers and innocent civilians is more important than preventing imagined tyranny.
19 March 2013
Yesterday, Cypress...
Today: NEW ZEALAND
I'm telling you, folks. If you don't have tangibles, then physical cash becomes king.
They're talking that they can't figure out the mechanism to sidestep standard FDIC-style banking rules and insurance. Deposits under EUR 100,000 are safe, supposedly... For now. So the rich, investor class is going to get hit for 10% (at least, for now).
Someone want to clue me in on how 1) this helps, or 2) it ever gets better before complete default?
It ain't all us, Americans. As bad as we think we have it, the rest of the world is worse.
Ay Caramba.
Crazed American, out.
I'm telling you, folks. If you don't have tangibles, then physical cash becomes king.
They're talking that they can't figure out the mechanism to sidestep standard FDIC-style banking rules and insurance. Deposits under EUR 100,000 are safe, supposedly... For now. So the rich, investor class is going to get hit for 10% (at least, for now).
Someone want to clue me in on how 1) this helps, or 2) it ever gets better before complete default?
It ain't all us, Americans. As bad as we think we have it, the rest of the world is worse.
Ay Caramba.
Crazed American, out.
18 March 2013
Thread-bare...
When this happens... you're pretty much f---ed. Writing is officially on the wall.
All people in Western countries take note. When your government gets broke enough, you will be on the hook for the butcher's bill.
So understand what it means. The Cypriots are so broke, that in order for the other nations of the EU to continue to prop up their floundering economy, the banks in Cyprus have to impose a 10% "tax" on all bank holdings. That's right, if you had any money in the bank, gathering a criminally small amount of interest, over the weekend, the government ordered the banks to pony up a 10% haircut on all of it.
Hey, fellow Americans - before you get that Smuggy McSmuggerSmug look on your face, know this - when they do it here (and they will do it) they won't hit bank accounts first. They'll hit investments and especially 401K's and IRA's. Look for there to be an announcement of a new Federal 401K / IRA like plan to be announced shortly.
Me? I got out of the market and cashed out the 401K long ago - 2007, before the crash... best decision I ever made. Cash ain't bad. Old fashioned devices like CD's ain't bad.
Stay frosty, friends. This is not a good development.
Crazed American, OUT.
All people in Western countries take note. When your government gets broke enough, you will be on the hook for the butcher's bill.
So understand what it means. The Cypriots are so broke, that in order for the other nations of the EU to continue to prop up their floundering economy, the banks in Cyprus have to impose a 10% "tax" on all bank holdings. That's right, if you had any money in the bank, gathering a criminally small amount of interest, over the weekend, the government ordered the banks to pony up a 10% haircut on all of it.
Hey, fellow Americans - before you get that Smuggy McSmuggerSmug look on your face, know this - when they do it here (and they will do it) they won't hit bank accounts first. They'll hit investments and especially 401K's and IRA's. Look for there to be an announcement of a new Federal 401K / IRA like plan to be announced shortly.
Me? I got out of the market and cashed out the 401K long ago - 2007, before the crash... best decision I ever made. Cash ain't bad. Old fashioned devices like CD's ain't bad.
Stay frosty, friends. This is not a good development.
Crazed American, OUT.
26 February 2013
Intolerable Acts
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/crime/fl-helium-balloon-environmental-crime-20130222,0,3220328.story
This man released a dozen or so Helium ballons as an act of love. He has been charged with a FELONY act.
At what point, do we as a liberty-loving people say: ENOUGH!
In early American History Indentured Servants had to give between 10-25% of their income to their master.
What's your nominal tax rate?
It is said that every American adult commits an average of three felonies a day.
Yet we need more laws?
Real Change is needed.
This man released a dozen or so Helium ballons as an act of love. He has been charged with a FELONY act.
At what point, do we as a liberty-loving people say: ENOUGH!
In early American History Indentured Servants had to give between 10-25% of their income to their master.
What's your nominal tax rate?
It is said that every American adult commits an average of three felonies a day.
Yet we need more laws?
Real Change is needed.
21 February 2013
The system is working!...?
This Crazed American, spawned in the beautiful, rolling, oppressed lands of the upstate area formerly known as the Can-tu-Kee (Everything West of the Hudson River), but currently known as Upstate New York, is happy to witness opposition to an ill-conceived and rushed series of edicts rubber-stamped by the New York Assembly.
http://thebatavian.com/howard-owens/legislature-poised-call-repeal-cuomos-gun-control-law/36188
Genessee County, and the majority of New York Counties - GOOD ON YOU.
This is how the system is supposed to work, no matter the issue. State and Federal Governments should not be able to run rough-shod all over the will of the people. The New York SAFE Act was rammed through the process - to the point that, in the race to be "FIRST!!" Gov. Cuomo's legislation didn't even take into account that the law didn't even provide exemptions for law enforcement officers. If the New York SAFE act served one purpose, perhaps it was getting the people of New York (not City, that's it's own world)to realize, that hey, we have county governments and we might be able to remind people who seem to think themselves more enlightened and our betters, that we do have a voice. Also, people might realize that maybe, just maybe, we don't need all of this "sterling" "leadership".
So let's see how this goes.
Crazed American, out.
http://thebatavian.com/howard-owens/legislature-poised-call-repeal-cuomos-gun-control-law/36188
Genessee County, and the majority of New York Counties - GOOD ON YOU.
This is how the system is supposed to work, no matter the issue. State and Federal Governments should not be able to run rough-shod all over the will of the people. The New York SAFE Act was rammed through the process - to the point that, in the race to be "FIRST!!" Gov. Cuomo's legislation didn't even take into account that the law didn't even provide exemptions for law enforcement officers. If the New York SAFE act served one purpose, perhaps it was getting the people of New York (not City, that's it's own world)to realize, that hey, we have county governments and we might be able to remind people who seem to think themselves more enlightened and our betters, that we do have a voice. Also, people might realize that maybe, just maybe, we don't need all of this "sterling" "leadership".
So let's see how this goes.
Crazed American, out.
12 February 2013
So, there's this...
The article is interesting. Comments are where the gold is: people calling out NASA for being at best obtuse, at worst covering up.
I love how the article shows examples "similar" on earth that are not remotely similar...
Why not get the rover over to it and take some damn samples?!?
AAAHHHH!!! I AM TIRED OF THEM TREATING US LIKE IDIOTS.
If it's nothing, take the damn "Curiosity" over to it and, oh, I don't know, be CURIOUS!! Prove to me that it's nothing. Or, we'll just treat it like every other "Light and Shadow" anomaly that might be something.
It's called science for a reason. You have the most capable autonomic device in history RIGHT FUCKING THERE!! Go over to it, look at it with the chem cam, get right up next to it.
If you don't then the conspiracy theories abound. Kill a few of the theories, please. Prove us wrong.
Unless you can't and that's the whole point.
Crazed American. Out.
25 January 2013
Hypothetical Mind Exercise - The American Schism
*** NOTE: THE FOLLOWING DOES NOT CALL FOR ANY OF THE MEASURES SET FORTH, RE: THE POLITICAL DISSOLUTION OF THE AREA FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. IT IS MERELY THE MUSINGS OF AN AMERICAN CITIZEN AND SHOULD FIND PROTECTION UNDER THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. ***
Vis a vis, the 1st Amendment says that I can also just say: fuck you Echelon or whatever you're called now-a-days (algorithm on a server in Bluffdale, UT) - that's why.
OK kids, time to bring this up the topic of what comes after, again, and it's looking more and more reasonable every G-d-damned day. I know this is not the first time I've brought this up, so I'll refund you what you paid to read this... that's right, nothing.
No one can deny this formerly United States of ours is beginning to fray a bit about the edges. In every locale there are those who want to tell other how to live. I am struck by this. I want to tell no one how to live. Friends of mine, people I respect, are showing STUNNING levels of hypocrisy. A proudly gay man that I know and am happy to call my friend, is stridently for the equal rights for all (as am I), but in the same breath tells those of us who own firearms: you should be registered like sex offenders.
What say we look at this from a hypothetical standpoint. I, as stated before, am an American without a political party. I feel unrepresented. I am a liberty minded, equal rights proponent who believes in small government, small taxes, and maximum freedom. I believe that if I want to drive my gas guzzling truck to a 7-11 and buy a 64 oz soda, I should be allowed to. Also, if my doctor decides that painkillers are what I need, they should not be rationed by non-medical bureaucrats. I think government should no be involved in the marriage business. I KNOW I am not alone in my political feelings.
I believe in due process of law. I feel the law should be enforced equally to all people. If something is illegal, then the criminal that performs said act, no matter their position or political standing (NBC's David Gregory and his DC Illegal 30 Round AR15 Magazine) should ever receive an exemption. There can be no exemptions from law. If a law requires an exemption, it is a bad law, and should be stricken. If there are exemptions to laws, then selective enforcement is automatic. Selective enforcement of law is TYRANNICAL by nature. Those in power will selectively allow the law to be applied for political gain. In modern America this happens all too often.
Currently, the two political parties are simply Pro-Statist. There is no difference between the two of them, except one is Anti-Gun, and the other is anti-Abortion and anti-gay. Both want to limit choice and limit freedom. Both are about the exertion of control over the population. Fuck 'em both, I say, in the common vernacular.
What about those of us out there who just want to be left alone? What if these political issues are insurmountable and the controls some want to put into law are intolerable to some of us. How do we go our own way? Put us in KZ and reservations? What if we tried to split up amicably?
I see it happening that the USA will, over the next few years, unless acted upon by some natural or unforeseen geo-political calamity, dissolve into 3 or more disparate units. I see the USA continuing on, in the blue state model, of New England, NewYork, New Jersey, Maryland, and parts of Eastern Pennsylvania. They'll be along the statist, semi / soft socialism model that currently permeates those governments. New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine "might" eke out it's own existence, since they are more liberty and accountable government minded, but the proximity to the more (currently) economically powerful states like MA and CT might keep them in check. the great Lakes states, to include Michigan and Illinois will also be part of this coalition. Their Constitution will be the original document with it's modern interpretation. They will be for higher taxes and more government services and safety nets. (Which in the interest of full disclosure, I find rationally unsustainable).
The next major block I see forming is the new Texas Federation, following along greatly within the former states of the Confederacy (Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana). Also adding into his block will be Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, the inter-mountain states of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, the Dakotas, Idaho, portions of Colorado (West of the City-Sate of Denver). Areas of Eastern Oregon, Washington and Northern California will be added quickly. Norther provinces of Mexico might petition for entry into the Federation. It would not be outside the realm of possibility to see the Western Canadian provinces to petition membership. Based solely on current and near term economic projections, the States in my proposed Federation, will continue to be the economic powerhouse that they currently are. The Constitution of the Federation will be a more literally interpreted US Constitution. They, according to current rhetoric and political atmosphere, will be more a proponent of liberty, with smaller taxes, and fewer services.
The mid-Atlantic states are the toss-up. Ohio, Kentucky, the Carolinas, the Virginia even into the Missouri and even eastern Colorado. They represent a good deal of resources (tax-base) and agricultural wealth to whatever country they end up being a part of.
I would hope that the schism could be reached amicably. Why shouldn't it - as the debt load we are assuming eventually will cause a default anyway? Each of the new countries would create a new currency, the basis of a new economy. Those enlightened new founding fathers and mothers hopefully would forgo the influence of the modern international banking cartel, but who knows... those bastards have more than a little responsibility in the mess we are currently in. Each of the former states of the union assume all of the infrastructure and military assets contained within their borders. Of course, Wyoming, Montana and the Dakotas could become the most powerful nation on Earth, when you takes the missile fields into account.
hahahahaha... I really crack myself up sometimes... It won't be amicable, it won't be nice. Object lesson of the 1860's provided in many history books for you.
My point is this, this country as we know it is only here for a limited time. It, like every other creation of man has a finite life. What comes next? When? To assume the Experiment of the USA would continue into the infinite, especially in it's current, corrupt form, is illogical at best, delusional at worst.
I still believe in American Exceptionalism but America has never been perfect. Slavery and resultant racism was a blight for the majority of our history. Various groups put down by the evil majority of democracy (I believe pure democracy is just as evil, if not more, than other forms of government, 'cause in a pure democracy, the majority - ethnic, religious, economic - always rules).
So I ask you, dear reader... Even if it involved moving, where would you like to live? The Free City-State of Miami? The Democratic Republic of Los Angeles? The Republic of Deseret, of the Texas Federation? The Duchy Of Duluth?
Just some musings on a Thursday night and a Friday morning...
More to follow...
Vis a vis, the 1st Amendment says that I can also just say: fuck you Echelon or whatever you're called now-a-days (algorithm on a server in Bluffdale, UT) - that's why.
OK kids, time to bring this up the topic of what comes after, again, and it's looking more and more reasonable every G-d-damned day. I know this is not the first time I've brought this up, so I'll refund you what you paid to read this... that's right, nothing.
No one can deny this formerly United States of ours is beginning to fray a bit about the edges. In every locale there are those who want to tell other how to live. I am struck by this. I want to tell no one how to live. Friends of mine, people I respect, are showing STUNNING levels of hypocrisy. A proudly gay man that I know and am happy to call my friend, is stridently for the equal rights for all (as am I), but in the same breath tells those of us who own firearms: you should be registered like sex offenders.
What say we look at this from a hypothetical standpoint. I, as stated before, am an American without a political party. I feel unrepresented. I am a liberty minded, equal rights proponent who believes in small government, small taxes, and maximum freedom. I believe that if I want to drive my gas guzzling truck to a 7-11 and buy a 64 oz soda, I should be allowed to. Also, if my doctor decides that painkillers are what I need, they should not be rationed by non-medical bureaucrats. I think government should no be involved in the marriage business. I KNOW I am not alone in my political feelings.
I believe in due process of law. I feel the law should be enforced equally to all people. If something is illegal, then the criminal that performs said act, no matter their position or political standing (NBC's David Gregory and his DC Illegal 30 Round AR15 Magazine) should ever receive an exemption. There can be no exemptions from law. If a law requires an exemption, it is a bad law, and should be stricken. If there are exemptions to laws, then selective enforcement is automatic. Selective enforcement of law is TYRANNICAL by nature. Those in power will selectively allow the law to be applied for political gain. In modern America this happens all too often.
Currently, the two political parties are simply Pro-Statist. There is no difference between the two of them, except one is Anti-Gun, and the other is anti-Abortion and anti-gay. Both want to limit choice and limit freedom. Both are about the exertion of control over the population. Fuck 'em both, I say, in the common vernacular.
What about those of us out there who just want to be left alone? What if these political issues are insurmountable and the controls some want to put into law are intolerable to some of us. How do we go our own way? Put us in KZ and reservations? What if we tried to split up amicably?
I see it happening that the USA will, over the next few years, unless acted upon by some natural or unforeseen geo-political calamity, dissolve into 3 or more disparate units. I see the USA continuing on, in the blue state model, of New England, NewYork, New Jersey, Maryland, and parts of Eastern Pennsylvania. They'll be along the statist, semi / soft socialism model that currently permeates those governments. New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine "might" eke out it's own existence, since they are more liberty and accountable government minded, but the proximity to the more (currently) economically powerful states like MA and CT might keep them in check. the great Lakes states, to include Michigan and Illinois will also be part of this coalition. Their Constitution will be the original document with it's modern interpretation. They will be for higher taxes and more government services and safety nets. (Which in the interest of full disclosure, I find rationally unsustainable).
The next major block I see forming is the new Texas Federation, following along greatly within the former states of the Confederacy (Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana). Also adding into his block will be Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, the inter-mountain states of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, the Dakotas, Idaho, portions of Colorado (West of the City-Sate of Denver). Areas of Eastern Oregon, Washington and Northern California will be added quickly. Norther provinces of Mexico might petition for entry into the Federation. It would not be outside the realm of possibility to see the Western Canadian provinces to petition membership. Based solely on current and near term economic projections, the States in my proposed Federation, will continue to be the economic powerhouse that they currently are. The Constitution of the Federation will be a more literally interpreted US Constitution. They, according to current rhetoric and political atmosphere, will be more a proponent of liberty, with smaller taxes, and fewer services.
The mid-Atlantic states are the toss-up. Ohio, Kentucky, the Carolinas, the Virginia even into the Missouri and even eastern Colorado. They represent a good deal of resources (tax-base) and agricultural wealth to whatever country they end up being a part of.
I would hope that the schism could be reached amicably. Why shouldn't it - as the debt load we are assuming eventually will cause a default anyway? Each of the new countries would create a new currency, the basis of a new economy. Those enlightened new founding fathers and mothers hopefully would forgo the influence of the modern international banking cartel, but who knows... those bastards have more than a little responsibility in the mess we are currently in. Each of the former states of the union assume all of the infrastructure and military assets contained within their borders. Of course, Wyoming, Montana and the Dakotas could become the most powerful nation on Earth, when you takes the missile fields into account.
hahahahaha... I really crack myself up sometimes... It won't be amicable, it won't be nice. Object lesson of the 1860's provided in many history books for you.
My point is this, this country as we know it is only here for a limited time. It, like every other creation of man has a finite life. What comes next? When? To assume the Experiment of the USA would continue into the infinite, especially in it's current, corrupt form, is illogical at best, delusional at worst.
I still believe in American Exceptionalism but America has never been perfect. Slavery and resultant racism was a blight for the majority of our history. Various groups put down by the evil majority of democracy (I believe pure democracy is just as evil, if not more, than other forms of government, 'cause in a pure democracy, the majority - ethnic, religious, economic - always rules).
So I ask you, dear reader... Even if it involved moving, where would you like to live? The Free City-State of Miami? The Democratic Republic of Los Angeles? The Republic of Deseret, of the Texas Federation? The Duchy Of Duluth?
Just some musings on a Thursday night and a Friday morning...
More to follow...
24 January 2013
Business in the XXIst Century, Part III
Well, I had a good long post all sketched out... then I saw an incredible piece in Forbes.
Sums it up. You also know you're in trouble when you find yourself and the majority of your coworkers in this list. Leadership and Loyalty are absolutely a two way street. You cannot have loyalty unless a good leader inspires it. You cannot have effective leadership, unless you have loyal followers, willing and able to be led. You can lead through fear, shaming and intimidation, but only for a short while. Your people will either rise up and quit, in the case of the modern workplace, or set you up for humiliating failure.
Personal anecdote: It is never a good sign when pointing out the disparity between two operating groups of the company to joke that the entrance door to where the downtrodden toil should be ensconced with the words, "Arbeit Macht Frei", and the Human Resources Director, after inquiring what it translates into (Work Makes You Free), has to be explained as to why that's not a good idea...
Oh, historical context...
Then I notice another stellar article in Forbes, this one dealing failures and misconceptions in leadership.
Then this one that talks about the 7 most common habits of ineffective corporate "Leaders". This one sticks with me because it's astounding that the companies I have worked for that eventually failed, all failed when their "leaders" started crossing these off as "accomplished"...
Read up folks...
Crazed American, out!
Sums it up. You also know you're in trouble when you find yourself and the majority of your coworkers in this list. Leadership and Loyalty are absolutely a two way street. You cannot have loyalty unless a good leader inspires it. You cannot have effective leadership, unless you have loyal followers, willing and able to be led. You can lead through fear, shaming and intimidation, but only for a short while. Your people will either rise up and quit, in the case of the modern workplace, or set you up for humiliating failure.
Personal anecdote: It is never a good sign when pointing out the disparity between two operating groups of the company to joke that the entrance door to where the downtrodden toil should be ensconced with the words, "Arbeit Macht Frei", and the Human Resources Director, after inquiring what it translates into (Work Makes You Free), has to be explained as to why that's not a good idea...
Oh, historical context...
Then I notice another stellar article in Forbes, this one dealing failures and misconceptions in leadership.
Then this one that talks about the 7 most common habits of ineffective corporate "Leaders". This one sticks with me because it's astounding that the companies I have worked for that eventually failed, all failed when their "leaders" started crossing these off as "accomplished"...
Read up folks...
Crazed American, out!
21 January 2013
Change of pace - still outrage, though...
THIS IS WRONG.
Sums it up. So you want to clone an Neanderthal? Great.
This child, when born, will be literally a science project. They will always be at the beck and call of scientists. They will never truly understand freedom. He or she will have thoughts, feelings, a life. He or she will grow up at a rate we have no concept of. They will be able to speak. They will be able to want - what if they are wired to find us ugly? Will they be able to live freely, own a house, a car?
What fucking right do we have to do this? They won't be a person, will they, what being a different species and all... Hate to get all Jurassic Park preachy, but this is a BAD, BAD thing. Let's say the child is born, shows incredible intelligence and superb physical ability. Why not grow a couple thousand more and equip them to fight America's wars. Drones are one thing, but Cloned Neanderthal? Still not actual people doing our killing for us. Awesome.
Stop the world, I wanna get the fuck off.
Pissed,
Crazed American, out.
Sums it up. So you want to clone an Neanderthal? Great.
This child, when born, will be literally a science project. They will always be at the beck and call of scientists. They will never truly understand freedom. He or she will have thoughts, feelings, a life. He or she will grow up at a rate we have no concept of. They will be able to speak. They will be able to want - what if they are wired to find us ugly? Will they be able to live freely, own a house, a car?
What fucking right do we have to do this? They won't be a person, will they, what being a different species and all... Hate to get all Jurassic Park preachy, but this is a BAD, BAD thing. Let's say the child is born, shows incredible intelligence and superb physical ability. Why not grow a couple thousand more and equip them to fight America's wars. Drones are one thing, but Cloned Neanderthal? Still not actual people doing our killing for us. Awesome.
Stop the world, I wanna get the fuck off.
Pissed,
Crazed American, out.
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