bonaparte and michael jackson

I came across an excellent quote today from everybody's favorite metric-system-imposing, Europe-conquering, megalomaniacal French dictator, Napoleon Bonaparte: "Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."

I suspect old Boney was right on an aggregate level. But for me as an individual, it's more my fear of prison that keeps ME from wringing the neck of some rich dude!

Speaking of the rich and a fear of prison, Michael Jackson was acquitted today. No surprise; the OJ trial showed that a rich African-American (I can't really call Jackson black now, can I?) guy with access to high-paid legal talent can be acquitted in modern America. This represents true progress in our society, since this has been true for rich white guys for the past 400 years.

I have no idea whether Jackson is really innocent or not, or whether he is even capable of distinguishing right from wrong. I'm just glad the trial will no longer be all over the news. Instead we can concentrate on meatier news like this.

Bonaparte said an army marched on its stomach. That burger could get a battalion halfway to Moscow.