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Lileks: Elite Affectations
Okay. Ed Driscoll noted something today - a webpost about the Mayor of San Francisco being caught with . . . bottled water. Full story here. This sums up with exquisite precision the people we elect to guide our institutions:Fix on something small and symbolic, and demonize it; Propose a response that does little to address the fundamental problem; Forbid the thing to others; Reserve its use for yourself; Adopt a penitent tone when caught which underscores the hypocrisy and makes you look like a dweeb for apologizing for something which, while petty, you have infused with moral failings. Im not big on shouting HYPOCRITE, for the most part, because failing to do a thing you endorse does not mean the thing youre endorsing isnt a good idea. But that equation changes when its something they want to take away from you, but reserve for themselves. In any case, its just laughable to see a weightless fool who, for the sake of public image and sending the right messages, has to apologize for having the wrong kind of water container - and has an aide describe it as an indulgence. Sir. Six oysters for breakfast with a rasher of bacon is an indulgence. Three showgirls in your lap is an indulgence. Racing a car at high speed on weekends is an indulgence. Having a moral tuning fork that twinges when someone drinks water from a plastic bottle is an affectation. Posted by: Mike 2009-02-25 |
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