Policy has most of the force of law and none of the inconvenience. Once assured that it is a policy, people will put up with nearly anything.
Dec 082022
Ruling
In ’37 Stalin made a hash
Of party loyalists and army brass.
Decimation: One in ten are shot.
What’s the word when one in ten are not?
Dec 062022
Of rulers’ vices, corruption is not the worst, merely the tackiest.
Nov 032022
Every society is ruled by its high-status beliefs; if you don’t like them, your only recourse is to lower their status.
Oct 252022
Every regime, in every era, has installed incompetents in positions of high responsibility and authority; it is our unique distinction to do so on high principle.
Sep 232022
Crime is like most problems: you don’t need to know the cause to fix it.
Sep 072022
Government does not issue recommendations or suggestions — only threats.
Sep 062022
If justice delayed were justice denied, there would be no justice at all.
Aug 112022
Bad laws make worse cops.
Jul 042022
Power is the difference between the number of people I am obliged to consult and the number who are obliged to consult me.
Jun 292022
Nearly every new law is bad, and nearly every old custom is good.