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March 29, 2004

Give me a break: a review

My first book review. “Give Me a Break : How I Exposed Hucksters, Cheats, and Scam Artists and Became the Scourge of the Liberal Media…” by John Stossel

I realize that I’ve been less than consistent about book reviews. The problem stems from the fact that its more enjoyable to read a new book than to review an old book. Consider this my first book review. I have just finished reading John Stossel’s new book “Give me a Break.” I can honestly say that it is without a doubt the best political analysis book by a news commentator I have ever read. The Left has tried to portray Stossel (and his book) as a Conservative corporate sellout; and the Right has tried to portray him (and his book) as a Secular leftist nut. The truth is neither. John Stossel is a Libertarian in the truest sense of the word, and this book reflects those ideas.

Over the course of this fairly short book Mr. Stossel talks about his early years in news broadcasting, his move to network television, and his conversion from a consumer reporters to a philosophically consistent libertarian. He succinctly extrapolates his frustration with most Liberal media as well as the corporate bought Conservative establishment, and pushes basic Jeffersonian freedoms. Stossel’s writing style, though not as strong as his broadcast style, is good enough to easily convey his opinions with only a couple analytical weaknesses in the book as a whole. Each opinion is supported by the kind of example one would come to expect from an investigative reporter. Stossel has one of the strongest grasps of economics I have ever seen from a broadcast personality. That economic understanding shines throughout the book (the Nobel Prize winning economist Milton Friedman himself praises Stossel’s economic understanding.)

Even if you disagree with Stossel’s conclusions it is hard to ignore the arguments he make in “Give me a Break.” I would strongly encourage anyone who wants a “mainstream” understanding of libertarianism to read this book. It, more than any book I have read in recent memory, summarizes my personal beliefs (and our founding fathers beliefs) in the way government should work.

posted by Bobby Rockers • • 1 Comment

March 26, 2004

Corporate Lessons

Amusing little email a co-worker sent me. Thought I might be fun for a Friday.

Corporate Lesson 1:
Share critical information pertaining to Credit and Risk

A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her
shower when the doorbell rings. After a few seconds of arguing over
which one should go and answer the doorbell, the wife gives up, quickly
wraps herself up in a towel and runs downstairs. When she opens the
door, there stands Bob, the next door neighbor.

Before she says a word, Bob says, “I’ll give you $800 to drop that towel
that you have on.”

After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands naked
in front of Bob. After a few seconds, Bob hands her 800 dollars and
leaves. Confused, but excited about her good fortune, the woman wraps
back up in the towel and goes back upstairs.

When she gets back to the bathroom, her husband asks from the shower,
“Who was that?”

“It was Bob the next door neighbor,” she replies.

“Great!” the husband says, “Did he say anything about the $800 he owes
me?”

Moral of the story: If you share critical information pertaining to
credit and risk in a timely fashion with your stockholders, you may be
in a position to prevent avoidable exposure.

Corporate Lesson 2:
Always be well informed

A priest was driving along and saw a nun on the side of the road. He
stopped and offered her a lift which she accepted. She got in and
crossed her legs, forcing her gown to open and reveal a lovely leg. The
priest had a look and nearly had an accident. After controlling the car,
he stealthily slid his hand up her leg. The nun looked at him and
immediately said,”Father, remember Psalm 129?”

The priest was flustered and apologized profusely. He forced himself to
remove his hand. Changing gear, he let his hand slide up her leg again.
The nun once again said, “Father, remember Psalm 129?”

Once again the priest apologized “Sorry sister but the flesh is weak.”

Arriving at the convent, the nun got out gave him a meaningful glance
and went on her way. On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to
retrieve a Bible and looked up Psalm 129. It said, “Go forth and seek.
Further on, you will find glory.”

Moral of the story: Always be well informed in your job, or you might
miss a great opportunity.

Corporate Lesson 3:
Respect leadership hierarchy wisely

A sales rep, an administration clerk and the manager are walking to
lunch when they find an antique oil lamp. They rub it and a Genie comes
out in a puff of smoke. The Genie says, “I usually only grant three
wishes, so I’ll give each of you just one.”

“Me first! Me first!” says the admin clerk. “I want to be in the
Bahamas, driving a speed boat, without a care in the world.” Poof! She’s
gone.

In astonishment, “Me next! Me next!” says the sales rep. “I want to be
in Hawaii, relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless
supply of pina coladas and the love of my life.” Poof! He’s gone.

“OK, you’re up,” the Genie says to the manager. The manager says, “I
want those two back in the office after lunch.”

Moral of the story: Always let your boss have the first say.

Corporate Lesson 4:
Know your position in the corporate structure

A crow was sitting on a tree, doing nothing all day. A small rabbit saw
the crow, and asked him, “Can I also sit like you and do nothing all day
long?”

The crow answered: “Sure, why not.”

So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the crow, and rested. All of a
sudden a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.

Moral of the story: To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting
very, very high up.

Corporate Lesson 5:
Advancement Strategies

A turkey was chatting with a bull. “I would love to be able to get to
the top of that tree,” sighed the turkey, but I haven’t got the energy.

“Well, why don’t you nibble on some of my droppings?” replied the bull.
“They’re packed with nutrients.”

The turkey pecked at a lump of dung and found that it actually gave him
enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree. The next day,
after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch. Finally after
a fourth night, there he was proudly perched at the top of the tree.
Soon he was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.

Moral of the story: Bullshit might get you to the top, but it won’t keep
you there.