| Topic: |
Politics > Politics-Misc |
| User: |
"Gandalf Grey" |
| Date: |
10 Sep 2007 11:32:49 AM |
| Object: |
Preparing for the Benchmarks |
Preparing For The Benchmarks
By Steve Young
Created Sep 9 2007 - 11:01am
Pronunciation: bench-marhk
Function: noun
Definition: depends
Hold on tight. This one's gonna be a ripsnorter.
This week we will witness the a significant moment in modern history.
General David Petreaus will issue his status report to Congress detailing
the results reflected in the Surge as dictated by President Bush in January
this year. Sometime in and about the millisecond he opens his mouth, if not
sooner, the politicians, pundits and presidential disseminators, will go to
great lengths to explain the general's explanation.
So it is that some instructions are necessary to help the layman understand
the spin.
From Brittanica...
Main Entry: bench-mark
1 usually bench mark : a mark on a permanent object indicating elevation and
serving as a reference in topographic surveys and tidal observations
2 a : a point of reference from which measurements may be made b : something
that serves as a standard by which others may be measured or judged c : a
standardized problem or test that serves as a basis for evaluation or
comparison (as of computer system performance)
Right away we got ourselves a problem. #2 presents us not with an objective,
say like when the President told us...
"(So) America will hold the Iraqi government to the benchmarks it has
announced. To establish its authority, the Iraqi government plans to take
responsibility for security in all of Iraq's provinces by November. To give
every Iraqi citizen a stake in the country's economy, Iraq will pass
legislation to share oil revenues among all Iraqis."
Instead, #2 calls for "a basis of evaluation." Hypothetically, if the
general says that the Iraqi government plans to take responsibility for
security in all of Iraq's provinces by November has failed and that Iraq was
unable to even come close to pass legislation to share oil revenues among
all Iraqis, then the President (or Fox News) can say something to the effect
that, "based on General Petreaus's evaluation of where we are right now, we
are further along than we were yesterday and based on that we should be
further along tomorrow. I.e. progress. "
Meanwhile, those who say the benchmark was #1, setting "a mark on a
permanent object" that indicates success or failure to meet an actual, um,
benchmark. Say, like, "The Iraqi government plans to take responsibility for
security in all of Iraq's provinces by November has failed and that Iraq was
unable to even come close to pass legislation to share oil revenues among
all Iraqis," then the Democrats can say something to the effect that, "based
on General Petreaus's report, the November permanent mark will not be met.
I.e: failure.
See. It always comes down to a choice. Say like, Bill O'Reilly or Keith
Olbermann. Y'picks whatcha wants and y'stands your ground. And the best part
of this is that everyone turns out to be right.
Ain't Democracy great?
Hope this helps you out.
Enjoy your Monday
--
NOTICE: This post contains copyrighted material the use of which has not
always been authorized by the copyright owner. I am making such material
available to advance understanding of
political, human rights, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues. I
believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of such copyrighted material as
provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright
Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107
"A little patience and we shall see the reign of witches pass over, their
spells dissolve, and the people recovering their true sight, restore their
government to its true principles. It is true that in the meantime we are
suffering deeply in spirit,
and incurring the horrors of a war and long oppressions of enormous public
debt. But if the game runs sometimes against us at home we must have
patience till luck turns, and then we shall have an opportunity of winning
back the principles we have lost, for this is a game where principles are at
stake."
-Thomas Jefferson
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