Historical February–March 2010 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
As I write this the snow is still on the ground and the temperature is well below freezing.
This weather imparts a type of gloom I used to experience in Michigan, a desolation to be truthful.
This mood will affect what I write today. Frankly, political coverage is giving me- – a true junky – dyspepsia. It’s all about scoring points and not serving the people. Careful analysis cannot stand in the way of careless rhetoric. Case in point: the underpants bomber.
This is a perfect case of the inherent nature of bureaucracy. Bureaus often do not get along with what they see as rival bureaus and do not easily share information.
In addition, so much information may be coming in so that that which is most salient is overlooked. Bureaucracies operate in patterns and change is difficult. Not long ago, I told an editor that government is not the problem, bureaucracy is. And, bureaucratic maladies affect the private sector as well. What frightens me is that many in the general populace are influenced by media frenzy and do not understand the complexities of policy or governance. Our great recession leads to hardship, fear, and choosing a simple answer to contemporary woes. Hence, tea parties.
This movement will play an important role in this election year, which to some of us is as dreaded as the tundra-like conditions outside our windows.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, February–March 2010.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2010_02.pdf, printed page(s) 2; PDF page(s) 2.
