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Pomp and Circumstance
2003-10-08 - 3:11 a.m.


before/after
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We officially have no reason to take California or Californians seriously ever again.  And all arguments are easily won.

"Yeah...but didn't you guys elect Mr. Freeze governor?...I'm just saying you're judgement is suspect, that's all."

I suppose one way to look at it is to think of the old story of Caligula's horse.

America was and is modeled on the Roman Republic example of representation and government.  The Roman's had a Senate that supposedly spoke the will of the people, or at least as much as they could in those barbaric times with barbaric people to be considered.  And even the Ceasar's answered to the Senate, even after either Augustus or Julius consolidated power, they still answered to the Senate.  For the most part.

Caligula made his way to the throne by means of treachery.  To really look at it, sometimes I don't think ol' Cal really wanted the throne.  He was a greedy, overindulged weasel, and had about the same level of morals.  He did what he did because it was right in front of him, and really, I think that's about as far as his considerations ever went.

Anyway, so he killed his way to the throne...and he really liked his horse.

Which is fine.  He talked to it, stroked it.  Took it for long walks.

And at one point, he gave the horse the rank general.  It would be a lot like GWB appointing his terrier Joint Cheifs of Staff.

So, the horse is a general, and Caligula decides that's not enough.  His soldiers had to salute the horse.  Address it as general.  Take it to meetings.

And this flew.  It fucking flew. They did it.  The Senate said nothing, even though militarily speaking, it had no influence over the army.  On the other hand, the Senate could censure Caligula in various was and never did.  Not for the horse.

Months later Caligula was killed by the Praetorian Guard, his supposed bodyguards, not for the horse thing, or making them kneel in homage to his horse, but because there was one thing Caligula like even more than his horse, and that was sucking dick.  He liked it so much he frequently did it at large state banquets in front of rather large crowds, right on the dinner table.  And this was too much for the Italian sensitivites.

So they killed him.

But the Republic stood.  It survived.  A new Ceasar was found.  Life went on.

Worse things can happen in California.  They'll get by.

However, when Arnie starts referring to his Hummer as the "offical car of state", I'd maybe start to worry a little bit.


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