<HTML><BODY STYLE="font:10pt verdana; border:none;"><DIV> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>BYOTV</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>(Bring Your Own Tiny Violin)</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Dear Visionaries,</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>I've been reading that very interesting book, <U>The Sociopath Next Door</U>, by Dr. Martha Stout.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Sociopaths -- who Stout claims make up about 4% of the population -- have no conscience.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They feel no guilt, no remorse, and no pity.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They act purely in their own self-interest; other people are merely pawns in the great game of self-aggrandizement that each sociopath plays.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3>I am not, of course, a psychologist, and unlike Dr. Laura, I don't diagnose others without that qualification.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I mention Dr. Stout's book for two reasons: first, because I think everyone should read it.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Sociopaths outnumber anorexics and bulimics, who are believed to exist in near-epidemic numbers, but unlike those with eating disorders, sociopaths cause tremendous harm to other people.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN><FONT size=3>Secondarily, bits of Dr. Stout's book are beginning to sound eerily familiar.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I know that when you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail, but according to Dr. Stout, the one certain way to spot a sociopath is his or her ultimate reliance on the "pity ploy."<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>When all else fails, the sociopath whines that he or she is an innocent victim, picked upon mercilessly and unfairly by the mean, the jealous, the ignorant and the unfeeling.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It doesn't matter what the sociopath has done; even when caught red-handed, he or she will lie, lie, lie, right to your face.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And then the tiny violins will begin playing the theme song from one of Charlie Chaplin's Little Tramp movies, and the pity party will begin.</FONT></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3>Well, the pity party has certainly begun over on the Wilson and Courtney blogs (dougwils.com and right-mind.us).<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Dale has grown the Chaplin mustache, and Doug has boiled and eaten his own boot.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> It's clear that the denizens of NSA have met </SPAN>in a dark smoky room somewhere and coined an outrageous new term for this new and terrifying threat: legitimate criticism. The term they've coined? "Diversity cleansing."<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It's an offensive term, far worse than the silly "Intoleristas," which no one apart from Jim Fisher ever took seriously.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> "</SPAN>Diversity cleansing" implies that the failure to pay their fair share of property taxes somehow makes Doug and his various profitable business enterprises the moral equivalent of genocide victims in Yugoslavia, Rwanda, and Sudan.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN><FONT size=3>I can see Wilson, Jones, Courtney and Atwood now, cooking up this new strategy over a round of brandy and cigars:</FONT></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>"They're picking on me," says Doug, pouting into his snifter.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>"Are you going to eat some worms?" asks Dale.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>"Or a pretzel?" suggests Roy.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">"Belt up," says Jones.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> "</SPAN>This is serious.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We need to get on top of this situation.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Huskey and Lund are riding us like a Georgia mule. </FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman">What we need is a name for this abuse.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We need a cool slogan like . . . " </FONT></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>"You deserve a break today?" Dale suggests eagerly.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Roy nods enthusiastically.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> "Yeah. You deserve a break today, and a</SPAN>t New St. Andrews, we do it all for you."</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>"No, damn it," snarls Jones.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“We need something like Intoleristas, a term that will direct attention away from our little property tax peccadilloes and onto Huskey and Lund as the God-hating, Jesus-kicking, queer-loving meany-weenies that they really are."</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>"I've got it!" snaps Doug.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> "</SPAN>Feminazis!"</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>"That's already been copyrighted by Rush Limbaugh, Doug," says Jones.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>"So?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Look how long it took Fogel and Engermann to get onto us."</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>"No," insists Jones.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> "</SPAN>What we need is a term like . . . diversity cleansing.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Eureeka!<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>What do you think?"</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>"I think I’m hungry," says Dale.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> "</SPAN>Can we go to McDonald’s?"<BR style="mso-special-character: line-break"></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>"I want a Happy Meal," agrees Roy.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> "</SPAN>With a boy's toy."</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>"I hate that boy's toy stuff," sniffs Dale.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> "</SPAN>I want a Bratz doll.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Why can't I have a Bratz doll, Doug?"</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>"I've explained this to you a million times," sighs Doug.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> "</SPAN>You're a Man of Chest.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>You have to get the basketball game."</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>"I don't like the basketball game," whines Dale.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> "</SPAN>The Bratz have such cool outfits."</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>"Never mind," says Roy, patting Dale on the back.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> "</SPAN>You can have a Mighty Kids meal.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>That comes with extra McNuggets."</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Dale perks up.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> "</SPAN>So, when do we start blogging?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I've got my laptop right here.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I had my fingers sewn to the keyboard with fishing line, and the plug is right up my . . ."</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>"Over-sharing," says Jones.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> "</SPAN>Now remember, the line is diversity cleansing.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Get it?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Got it?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Good."</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>The remainder of the brandy is sniftered, the cigars are stubbed out, and -- after Dale has posted to his blog as fast as his little fingers can type -- he and Roy are off to see the Hamburgler.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Meanwhile, Jones goes back to the Credenda Agenda office to think of new ways in which to make God wholly unappealing.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Doug has three more brandies, a raspberry and cheese-filled croissant, a ham sandwich, two Danish butterhorns, a slice of carrot cake with apricot glaze, and one wafer-thin mint.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Then he cruises back to his office in his church-supplied pickup truck and launches his new campaign: Operation Diversity Cleansing.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>"Ha," he thinks, snickering over his keyboard like Precious Pup and munching on a Twinkie, "I'll pass this one on to that sap Jim Fisher.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Huskey and Lund will never know what hit 'em.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Tee-hee, tee-hee, tee-hee."</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3></FONT></o:p> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman">Then, struck by the lightening bolt of yet another brainstorm, he calls out, "Hey</FONT></o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman">, Nate! Have you tried making a Shroud of Turin using a napkin, fry sauce and a Bratz doll?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Get on it, boy, get on it!<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I’ll call Peter Jennings."</FONT></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Joan Opyr/Auntie Establishment</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><A href="http://www.auntie-establishment.com"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>www.auntie-establishment.com</FONT></A></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><FONT face=Verdana size=2>PS: Author's disclaimer -- the Wilson, Jones, Atwood and Courtney who appear in the above story are purely figments of my fevered imagination. Any resemblance to persons by those names, either living or dead or typing on their blogs, is purely coincidental.</FONT></FONT></P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></SPAN></DIV></BODY></HTML><br clear=all><hr>Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : <a href='http://explorer.msn.com'>http://explorer.msn.com</a><br></p>