| November 12, 1999 #123 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Table of Contents
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FEATURE ARTICLE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
How Prohibition Affects Crime, Law Enforcement and the Press
by Dr. Tom O'Connell | ||||||||||||||||||||||
If demand for a banned product persists after a prohibition is enacted, a criminal market is created automatically. If the banned item is difficult to produce, hide, and use-say a nuclear weapon- the prohibition may well be successful (at least for a while). On the other hand, if there is strong demand, and the product is easy to produce and smuggle, the criminal market will quickly expand to satisfy that demand. Owners in the criminal market are awarded a lucrative tax-free monopoly on their products. The value of this monopoly is further enhanced because the prohibitory legislation is a modern alchemy; it adds to the value of theretofore cheaply produced, mundane products. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
While criminal markets remain subject to basic economic laws, they also
operate under unique conditions which produce important differences
from the way legal markets function. Among them is a strong incentive
for secrecy; they can't be studied with the standard tools economists
use on other markets; thus no economic data from criminal markets can
be meaningfully compared to those available for every other product in
our society. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Another important difference: criminal markets have no peaceful means for resolving the inevitable disputes over territory and access which plague every market and which are normally resolved by courts or regulators. Shaky agreements with other criminals or uneasy truces punctuated by violence, become their modus operandi. To the extent the markets become lucrative, they have the potential for extreme violence. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A corollary of the monopoly awarded to criminals for production and
sale of banned products is the companion monopoly awarded to law
enforcement, who become the only agents empowered to deal with them.
They alone can legally buy their products, trap and apprehend vendors
and consumers, and interdict shipments. This has created two highly
undesirable situations: the most obvious is the well understood
inducement to corruption that comes from unmonitored contact between
poorly paid policemen and enormously rich criminals. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A second and less well appreciated consequence of the police monopoly
on interaction with illegal drug markets is their virtual monopoly on
information that flows from it. There is no way ordinary citizens can
observe a criminal market other than by becoming its customers,
transporters, or vendors. The press itself has limited access;
occasional interviews with users or retail workers, most of whom have
good reason to avoid such interviews- or remain anonymous when they do
grant them. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The record shows that police agencies have learned to make good use of
this information monopoly; they are almost always the primary source of
any news story about drug enforcement, trends in drug use, new
smuggling techniques, etc.. Major drug stories tend to be written from
a sensational standpoint - either outlining a new "menace," providing
interesting details on the latest wrinkle in interdiction, or
titillating with an account of the effects of new agents. As such, they
both provide free advertising for illegal drugs and tend to document
the need for an ever-expanding police effort. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Prohibition was undone largely because law enforcement's ability to
suppress the illegal alcohol market was overwhelmed so quickly that
there was no political will to fund a matching expansion of police
resources. In contrast, drug prohibition as policy has become prisoner
to the fact that the enforcement effort has expanded just slowly enough
to be tolerable while reaching its present grotesque size, the very
dimensions of which now guarantee a larger, more vociferous, well
connected, and respected police chorus pleading for more money each
year. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Thus, to the extent the press has become willing victims of the police
information monopoly on illegal drug markets, they have facilitated
growth of the futile police effort to "control" those markets. Even at
this late date, they tend to applaud the latest "smashing" of a drug
ring with little recognition that new actors wait in the wings and the
market will continue to prosper. It has only been in the past few years
that a spate of opinion pieces, most written by independent columnists,
have begun to look realistically at the inevitable perennial failure of
law enforcement. The best summation of this travesty is Dan Baum's
terse phrase: "The politics of failure," as a subtitle of his book,
"Smoke and Mirrors. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The Internet has emerged as an alternative mechanism for balancing the
police/press monopoly on information about illegal drug markets.
Although the primary news source in most instances continues to be a
law enforcement disclosure to the working press, the Internet allows
access to many different reports and interpretations of the same
phenomenon. News archives with a capacity for rapid retrieval allow
current claims to be compared with earlier reports; most importantly,
alternative evaluations of policy are enabled and informed challenges
of standard newspaper accounts are facilitated. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The past three years have seen an undeniable erosion of the press support previously expressed for drug prohibition. This has been accompanied by a string of successful medical marijuana initiatives, which- if California is any harbinger- will bring many new instances of police intransigence before the public. Whether this ferment will be enough to change policy anytime soon remains to be seen, but it is a necessary prelude to the defeat of at least a few pro-drug prohibition politicians which remains the sine qua non for radical policy change. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In the meantime, an enhanced understanding of the basis for the
unplanned, but effective, Police/Press collusion on drug policy issues
should help counteract its effects. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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WEEKLY NEWS IN REVIEW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Domestic News- Policy COMMENT: (1-3) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Increasingly, the drug war is hoisting ardent Congressional supporters
on their own petards; House efforts to force corporate cooperation
with the drug war are (realistically) seen in the Senate as setting up
multinational corporations to have their deep pockets picked- a la
private citizens and forfeiture. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
It's no surprise that the big boys have better connected lobbyists than the general public; but they still have reason to worry. The article on Citibank was one of several demonstrating how easily the line between "tainted" and legitimate funds is blurred. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) BILL TO COMBAT DRUG TRAFFIC CAUGHT IN LOBBYING BATTLE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
WASHINGTON -- Efforts by the Republican chairman of the Senate intelligence committee to soften a bill that would expand economic sanctions against drug traffickers and the businesses that work with them have touched off a furious dispute on Capitol Hill. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Despite the strong support in the House, the bill has run into trouble
in the Senate, ... | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Aides to Senator Shelby said he would like to see the bill amended so
potential targets of the law would have strong protection. Assets
should not be seized, for example, without a legal finding that the
companies were deliberately involved in the drug trade. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(2) COLUMN: A BILL THAT AIMS AT DRUGLORDS BUT WOUNDS RIGHTS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
WASHINGTON - Fresh evidence that drugs fry the brain can be found in the unnaturally bright eyes and crazed passions of your Congress. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In an effort to crack down on foreign druglords, the House has rammed
through a bill to let the President secretly designate certain
foreigners as narcotics kingpins. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(3) PROBE TARGETS CITIBANK SAFEGUARDS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Anti-Money-Laundering Procedures Ignored In Mid-1990s | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Citigroup Inc. co-Chairman John Reed failed to take decisive action
after internal bank warnings for several years in the mid-1990s showed
the bank was ignoring its own safeguards against money laundering,
Senate investigators said yesterday. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"It's fair to say that John Reed was aware that Citibank's own internal
audits of its private banking operations showed that the private bank
was neglecting its internal controls and procedures, some of which were
designed to protect the bank against money laundering," said a top
investigator on the panel. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (4-5) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Syndicated columnist Ellen Goodman scornfully noted that Congressional defense of drug war dogma is leading them to oppose election results in Oregon and will predictably set back pain management nationwide. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
One-upping even Congress in vindictiveness, federal bureaucrats further intensified punishment for youthful drug convictions by threatening prosecution for lying on a request for student aid. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(4) CONGRESS BECOMES A PAIN TO OREGON'S 'DIGNITY' LAW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
BOSTON - And you thought the war on drugs was about keeping cocaine out of the country and heroin out of the kids. Guess again. If the bill that flew out of the House last week becomes law, those intrepid folks at the Drug Enforcement Administration will be given encouragement to go after doctors as if they were dealers. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The bill was titled, in the best Orwellian fashion, the Pain Relief
Promotion Act. In fact, it was a buffed and shined-up version of last
year's loser, the Lethal Drug Abuse Prevention Act. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(5) DRUG CONVICTIONS TO RESULT IN WITHHOLDING FINANCIAL AID (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The federal government has created a financial and educational pit-fall
for some students. A new federal rule will withhold financial aid from
students who have prior drug convictions. The enforcement of this rule,
however, relies on students voluntarily admitting prior convictions on
the federal application, and thus putting their higher education at
risk. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"If students lie on their application, and I find out, we will refer
them to the inspector general for fraud and abuse," said CU's Associate
Director of Financial Aid Bob Collins. "That leads to fines and jail
time." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (6) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A well researched article in the SF Chronicle took a new look at
routine work-place drug testing and found growing disenchantment.
Surprise. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(6) DRUG TESTING TAKES A HIT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
New Studies Question Value Of Screening For Illegal Substances | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Drug testing on the job, once a controversial practice at a few
companies, has become so pervasive that it now seems as common as
filling out a W-4 form or punching a time clock. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In 1986, only 21.5 percent of companies tested employees, according to
a survey by the American Management Association. By 1996, 81 percent
did. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Now, for the first time, several studies question the worth of
workplace drug testing. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Law Enforcement & Prisons | ||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (7-8) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Two things about forfeiture bother critics; how are properties earmarked for confiscation, and what happens to the money ? | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Editorials from widely separated parts of the country gave little
reason for optimism in either area. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(7) EDITORIAL: A PRETEXT FOR CONFISCATION (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The story of Dr. Metzger's Lexus should remind everyone that the nation's asset forfeiture laws put everyone's liberties at risk. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
James R. Metzger is a Golden physician. According to the Drug
Enforcement Administration, he has admitted writing prescriptions in
other peoples' names for medicines containing narcotics, and then
taking the drugs himself. And -- this is where the Lexus comes in -- he
also admitted driving to various pharmacies to pick up the
prescriptions. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Whether Metzger did what the DEA said he admitted, or whether his
actions were criminal if he did, has not been legally determined; he
has not even been charged, let alone convicted. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The DEA, in any case, told the court it had probable cause to believe
Metzger's 1999 Lexus RX300 sport utility vehicle had been involved in a
crime. And under the forfeiture law, that gives the agency power to
confiscate it. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(8) EDITORIAL: LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY TAINTS POLICE UNDERCOVER UNIT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
THE SLUSH FUND the Memphis Police Department's Organized Crime Unit built with confiscated drug money and allowed to run out of control gravely threatens public confidence in the department's integrity. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Police and city officials have moved usefully, if belatedly, to rein in the many excesses arising from the use of forfeiture money.... | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In just one year, more than $100,000 ostensibly earmarked for confidential police operations was spent on other things, including lawn care, golf fees, phone bills and meals. Officers collected more than $43,500 to "pay" drug informants who apparently didn't exist. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (9) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In LA, embarrassing disclosure of police misconduct continue to
trickle out of the latest police scandal- one being pursued at a
glacial pace by obviously reluctant authorities. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(9) 2ND INMATE TO BE FREED IN RAMPART PROBE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A second prison inmate authorities now believe was framed by corrupt
officers of the Los Angeles Police Department's Rampart Division is
expected to be freed from custody this week, while another will be released
from parole and yet another will be ordered resentenced, according to
sources close to the ongoing corruption probe. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The three are among as many as 40 convicted individuals whose trials authorities believe may have been tainted by Rampart officers' misconduct. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cannabis & Hemp- | ||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (10-12) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Some of the long-delayed fruits of victory from California's
Proposition 215 may finally be harvested in the next several months;
it's sad that involve trials of activists and come only after great
human costs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A pre-trial motion to suppress medical testimony in the federal trial
of McWilliams and McCormick was promptly granted by the judge; the
first of a series of ugly revelations that will show the world how
inhumane our federal drug policy really is. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A well informed editorial in the OC Register insisted that since both
state and federal governments had failed to act responsibly, it's up
to local supervisors. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A Washington Post editorial commented on clueless federal obduracy
towards medical use and offered reasonable advice. Fat chance it will
be followed. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(10) JUDGE BARS MEDICAL NEED, PROP. 215 AS BASIS FOR DEFENSE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A federal judge ruled Friday that two medical marijuana activists cannot use necessity as a defense in their upcoming drug trial. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
They also cannot refer to their medical conditions, the medical uses of
marijuana or California's Proposition 215, which allowed the personal
use of marijuana for medical purposes, said U.S. District Judge George
King. Todd McCormick, who has bone cancer, and Peter McWilliams, who
has AIDS and cancer in remission, are accused of growing and
distributing marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
King's ruling disallowed a defense based on medical necessity because
it "is not available as a matter of law," since Congress has ruled
marijuana has no medical merit. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(11) EDITORIAL: LAYING DOWN (ON) THE LAW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Tuesday a group of medical marijuana activists led by Proposition 215 co-author and registered nurse Anna Boyce presented the Orange County Board of Supervisors a petition asking it to begin implementing the medical marijuana law California voters approved three years ago. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
...however, Assistant Sheriff George Jaramillo told reporters that the | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
And it turns out the California Constitution (in a provision adopted
in 1978) explicitly requires that course of action. Our conclusion?
Government officials are required by the California Constitution to
enforce and implement Prop. 215 unless and until an appellate court
orders them not to do so. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Because of a threatened gubernatorial veto the Legislature couldn't
come up with guidelines. The state attorney general could issue
guidelines but he hasn't. In Orange County the Board of Supervisors
should act and act quickly. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(12) EDITORIAL: THE WRONG DRUG BATTLE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
THE CAMPAIGN to legalize the medical use of marijuana has organized eight ballot initiatives over the past three years. The Clinton administration has opposed all of them, and all have passed. The latest test came in Maine on Tuesday. Barry McCaffrey, President Clinton's drug czar, urged a no vote. But a large majority said yes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
It is time for the administration to drop its doctrinaire opposition to medical marijuana. It is ineffective and unpopular--both with voters and with some law enforcers. Rather than harass doctors who prescribe marijuana, the administration should reopen the federal program under which, until 1991, marijuana was available to terminally ill patients. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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International News | ||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (13-15) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Ethan Nadelmann's third important op-ed in as many weeks asked a
rhetorical question; the answer is "no," unless one realizes that our
policy's primary goal is to guarantee the existence of a criminal
monopoly- not to "control" drug use. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The latest US effort to muster hemispheric support for its failing
drug policy also allowed for another letter of protest signed by
dignitaries from the nations most affected, while a report from Peru
highlighted the tragic consequences this policy is having on those
most directly affected. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(13) OPED: WILL COMMON SENSE EVER GOVERN OUR DRUG POLICIES? (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
NEW YORK - This week's meeting in Washington of drug czars from throughout the Americas is another charade. Year after year, decade after decade, governments announce the latest drug control strategies, sign the latest bilateral and multilateral agreements and proclaim that the light at the end of the tunnel is brighter than ever. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(14) LATIN LEADERS: U.S. DRUG WAR FAILED (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
WASHINGTON (AP) - As delegates from 34 nations assembled for what is
billed as the first drug summit for the Western Hemisphere, U.S. and
Latin leaders said Wednesday that the war on drugs is being lost and
new strategies are needed. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"The escalation of a militarized drug war in Colombia and elsewhere
in the Americas threatens regional stability, undermines efforts
towards demilitarization and democracy and has put U.S. arms and money
into the hands of corrupt officials and military ... units involved in
human rights abuses," the letter said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(15) PERU: A SILENT ALLY IN WAR ON DRUGS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Accused Of Creating Blight Killing Coca Plants And Harming Other
Crops | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(UCHIZA, Peru)--Standing on the edge of the dying 10 acre plot of land
where he lives, coca farmer Felipe Vargas kicked the bone dry earth,
raising a small cloud of dust from the land he said would produce
enough to feed his family for months. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Less than two years ago, Vargas' small farm an estimated 100,000 acres
in the surrounding Huallaga Valley was lush and green with coca
material used for cocaine. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
But most of the plants have shriveled and died, victims of a fungus
sweeping the area a blight many observers say may have been sparked
by U.S. antidrug programs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Whatever its origins, the situation is a new twist in the decades long
standoff between coca eradication and survival for the farmers in this
Amazon jungle valley, which is the size of New Jersey. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (16) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The enormous size of recent Canadian raves seems a sure bet to trigger some repressive new measures and focus increased attention on use of Ecstasy in North America. The US press response remains muted. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(16) CANADA: RAVING MAD (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Rants About T.O. Raves Are Reaching A Crescendo | ||||||||||||||||||||||
People are raging about raves. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
First came police concern over growing drug use at the all-night
parties. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Then came neighbourhood anger at the thunderous racket. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Then came the politicians. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Police later explained they were reluctant to pull the plug on the
Docks party because the estimated 15,000 young people -- many using
drugs -- might have been hard to manage if the music had suddenly
stopped. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
What a perfect opening for politicians bent on bringing order to the
rave scene! There'd been three deaths since July and they were worried
about these marathon dance parties where kids, some as young as 14,
dance all night long, often with a chemical assist from a designer drug
like Ecstasy or Crystal Meth. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (17) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In Ireland, sentiment for reducing penalties for cannabis surfaced
along with scattered reports of its medical utility. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(17) IRELAND: LABOUR MAY SET UP COMMISSION ON CANNABIS LAW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
THE Labour Party is expected to discuss a proposal to set up a commission to look into the issue of decriminalising cannabis next week. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Senator Joe Costello said yesterday a body to discuss the issue was
long overdue and the idea of a commission was likely to be raised at
its next parliamentary party meeting. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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HOT OFF THE 'NET (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Alan Bock - A Reform Treasure | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Alan Bock may be one of the best informed journalists in the nation on
drug policy matters. The Bock from Liberty Magazine has been deemed on
of the best yet by this excellent author. It hit the presses too late
this week to be included in our news excerpts section. It is well
worth the read and perhaps a letter of thanks to Mr. Bock would be in
order. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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This insightful piece on the situation in Columbia further demonstrates
Bock's in depth grasp of drug policy matters: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Terrific Drug Policy Photos Now On-line | ||||||||||||||||||||||
You can view photos of the ARO meeting with Governor Johnson. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The historic group photo of the reform movement with Gov. Johnson -- the one that will appear in the history books when we succeed in our mutual objectives -- is located at: http://www.csdp.org/aro/page7.htm | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A series of other photos from the evening begins at: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
If you would like to order copies of the photos a 5 by 7 of the group
photo is available for $9; 4 by 5 of the black and white photos are
available for $7. If you would like different sizes let me know and I
will check the prices. Mail your order to me with a check and make the
check out to Stone Photography. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Drug War Sound Bites Full Collection Now On-Line | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Thanks to Jo-D Dunbar the PDFA.NET web page has again been enhanced. The entire collection of Drug War Sound bites has been archived. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
This useful collection can be used for written efforts like letters to the editor or for debates, radio talk shows and other public appearances or simply in day to day conversation. They are a powerful collection of short snappy phrases that point out the foolishness of the "War on Drugs." Take a look. http://www.pdfa.net/bytes.htm | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK (HUMOR) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Flogging A Dead Horse | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Dakota tribal wisdom says that when you discover you are riding a dead
horse, the best strategy is to dismount. However, in organizations like
governments, hospitals, large companies, school districts, etc. (i.e.
bureaucracies), we often try other strategies. These can include the
following: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* Buying a stronger whip. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* Changing riders. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* Saying things like "this is the way we always have ridden this horse". | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* Appointing a committee to study the horse. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* Arranging to visit other sites to see how they ride dead horses. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* Increasing the standards to ride dead horses. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* Appointing a team to revive the dead horse. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* Creating a training session to increase our riding ability. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* Comparing the state of dead horses in today's environment. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* Pass a resolution declaring that "this horse is not dead". | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* Blaming the horse's parents. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* Harnessing several dead horses together for increased speed. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* Declaring that, "No horse is too dead to beat." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* Providing additional funding to increase the horse's performance. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* Do a study to see if contractors can ride it cheaper. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* Declare the horse is "better, faster, and cheaper" dead. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* Form a quality circle to find uses for dead horses. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* Revisit the performance requirements for horses. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* Say this horse was procured with cost as an independent variable. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* Promote the dead horse to a supervisory position. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(credit for this piece belongs to Craig Schneiderwent) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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