In the glare of the Iraqi prisoner abuse scanda, the Army will court martial a non-com, a little guy, somebody near the bottom of the ladder.
Why am I not surprised?
Hierarchy is in our genes. We are in its power. Sometimes we are not even conscious of our allegiance to hierarchy, which provides us with authorities, rules of behavior and the definition of success (climbing the ladder).
Other things, like justice, are after-thoughts.
As the price of gas at the pump soars, Saudi Arabia wants OPEC to pump more oil.
Why am I not surprised?
Well, Bob Woodward says the Bush Admninistration and the Saudis made a deal. This, in a book the White House likes, in general.
Beyond that lies the intimate history of the Bush family, the American oil industry and the Saudis. More on that later.
For now, let us think of how hierarchy works in our lives. Oh, and be grateful to the Saudis.
PS On another subject, I am grateful to the reader who recently pointed out that I keep mispelling the Vice President;'s name. It's not Chaney. It's Cheney. Sorry about that.