[TheForge] TheForge Digest, Vol 106, Issue 24

[Andrew Vida]

On 11/12/2012 10:53 PM, Andy Gladish wrote:
> Yeah, every time I hear folks who long for a "strong, charismatic leader"
> it gives me the chills.

And how.  It speaks to all the worst qualities of humans - weakness, 
ignorance, lassitude, avarice, corruption, fear, ignorance... and just 
plain nastiness.

> On a somewhat related note, I keep meeting the most wonderful Iranians,

I knew many in engineering and they are smart as hell.  That we are 
straining our national nuts to pick a fight with them seems to me such a 
horrible waste.  OTOH, their "strong, charismatic leader" seems to have 
gone well 'round the bend.  Where truth lies... who can really say anymore?

 > and
> I finally asked a buddy of mine who lives on the Arabian Peninsula why,
> when we're so much alike, their government is so hostile. He just shook his
> head and said, They don't get to choose who governs the country.

Nor do we.  Humanity is in the hands of a cadre of frothing, barking 
madmen who, I suspect, believe their cause is righteous.  I beg to differ.