The Lexicographer's Rules

“We must do everything possible to prevent Saddam from using his weapons. “Does this mean war? Not necessarily. Since our intelligence services, which seem to be well informed, know where the plants in question are located (at least, I hope so), I am naÔve enough to believe that a kind of James Bond operation would be best. “I imagine American, British and Israeli commandos, the best trained in the world, would one night parachute into Iraq. They would destroy all the missile bases and centres for weapons production and set out again at dawn, if possible, without killing a single Iraqi. “Am I too romantic? Why wouldn’t I be? After all, I am also a novelist. Only I must admit that the military professionals to whom I proposed my plan did not find it very realistic. And the fact that I know nothing about war strategies did not strengthen my position.” (Observer." title="Go to linked article off-site.">Source Link)

“In East Europe, criminals on all levels, from the organized to the petty, often substituted for the dysfunctional, or ideologically hidebound organs of the state… “Crime is a growth industry and sustains hordes of professionals: accountants and lawyers, forgers and cross border guides, weapons experts and bankers, mechanics and hit men. Expertise, know-how and acumen, amassed over centuries of practice, are taught in the criminal universities known as penitentiaries: roads less traveled, countries more lenient, passports to be bought, sold, or forged, how-to manuals, goods and services on offer and demand. “Profit margins in crime are outlandish and lead to feverish wealth accumulation. The banking system is used both to stash the proceeds and to launder them. Tax havens, offshore financial institutions and money couriers—all form part of a global web. Thus cleansed and rendered untraceable, the money is invested in legitimate activities. In some countries—especially on the drug path, or on the trail of white slavery—crime is a major engine of economic growth.” (United Press International." title="Go to linked article off-site.">Source Link)

“The irony is that European societies never went through what they present as a model of development.” (Addis Tribune of Addis Ababa." title="Go to linked article off-site.">Source Link)

“The middle-aged American oilman, who is white, said he worked a five-week shift before flying home to Mississippi for a five-week break. He has stopped trying to explain this overseas life to his American family. ‘I have a 140 I.Q., and I had no idea until I came overseas,’ he said. ‘They can’t relate to the third world.‘“ (New York Times." title="Go to linked article off-site.">Source Link)