Sometimes art follows life. Not sure if you're a scifi fan, but there are some parallels in the new "Battlestar Galactica" now and current events. Here's one scene with relevance from the episode "The Oath":
“We should ask a focus group how they feel about revolution before we do anything. Quick, somebody call Frank Luntz.”
Actually, yes, that would be prudent. Or find someway to gauge the national political pulse to see if a certain fight is even possible. Just like in the Art of War:
“So it is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will fight without danger in battles.
If you only know yourself, but not your opponent, you may win or may lose.
If you know neither yourself nor your enemy, you will always endanger yourself.”
Or my translation: data, data, data. The more you have the better your chances.
jackmercer,
Do you ever watch Squawk on the Street?
Believe me when I say that I have never seen anythig like that segment. They outrage of those traders was unrehearsed and spontaneous. Did you see how it caught the talking heads back in the studio off guard?
A loan modification program for the few is the dumbest thing Obama could do right now it will foster envy, resentment, and ultimately anger in a majority or homeowners (naturally I hope he does it.)
That’s great... except you’re asking the enemy to gather the polling data for you.
The only question is: who will the "insurgent US citizens" be?:
1) The people who aren't getting the government stipends as promised (like we're starting to see in California) OR
2) those trying to fix what's broken in Washington?
Sent: Friday, March 14, 2008 4:20 PM Subject: CLOSED Congress Session Last Night: Only 4th Time In 176 Years !
SPECIAL “CLOSED SESSION” OF U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DISCUSSED A LOT MORE THAN THE PENDING SECURITY SURVEILLANCE PROVISIONS!
This was only the fourth time in 176 years that Congress has closed its doors to the public. What was it that they were discussing that they do NOT want us to know about?
Word has begun leaking from last nights special, closed-door session of the United States House of Representatives.
Not only did members discuss new surveillance provisions as was the publicly stated reason for the closed door session, they also discussed:
1. the imminent collapse of the U.S. economy to occur by September 2008,
2. the imminent collapse of US federal government finances by February 2009,
3. the possibility of Civil War inside the USA as a result of the collapse,
4. advance round-ups of “insurgent U.S. citizens” likely to move against the government,
5. the detention of those rounded-up at “REX 84” camps constructed throughout the USA,
6. the possibility of retaliation against members of Congress for the collapses,
7. the location of “safe facilities” for members of Congress and their families to reside during expected massive civil unrest,
8. the necessary and unavoidable merger of the United States with Canada (for its natural resources) and with Mexico (for its cheap labor pool),
9. the issuance of a new currency - THE AMERO - for all three nations as the proposed solution to the coming economic armageddon.
I do share your sentiment regarding data and information. The problem with politics is that it is not a perfect information game. Not everyone involved in the political game no all the moves that have taken place. Of course, there have been loads of dissertation written on the topic, but I digress.... One's chances are improved with an increase in data... however careful extrapolation is needed especially when dealing with irrational players.