Grand Illusions

Here is the first paragraph from a story in this morning's New York Times:

WASHINGTON, April 7 — Three months after the United States successfully pressed the United Nations to impose strict sanctions on North Korea because of the country’s nuclear test, Bush administration officials allowed Ethiopia to complete a secret arms purchase from the North, in what appears to be a violation of the restrictions, according to senior American officials.

Now read the entire story here, and think about how little that is told or reported is even remotely close to the reality. When it comes to politics (and maybe Big Biz and Big Relig and Big Cancer and Big Social Services and anything else where the stakes are very very high), an enormous Pea and Shell game is at play.

Never forget what David Mamet, American playwright and pretty serious card player once said, "If you're sitting in a poker game, and after 10 minutes you're still wondering who the mark is, it's you!"