More on meaningful work

I blogged my thoughts before about meaningful work. This quote fits in with that:

You've achieved success in your field when you don't know whether what you're doing is work or play.
 - Warren Beatty

The Dictator's Dignity

Dictators have no rights. A dictator can be killed at any moment, and the killing is justified. Only in a world as twisted and dangerous as ours can a free country befriend a dictator.

I heard that the Saudis asked Obama not to embarrass Mubarak.  If he wanted dignity, he could have worked long ago to transition Egypt into a liberal democracy.

Egyptards

Come on, Middle East, you look like a bunch of fucking retards.  There are countries that have protected their people's basic rights for over two centuries now.  There is no excuse for dictatorship.  Sure, if you insist, you could come down on the draconian side of issues like abortion and immigration that no one can agree on.  But if you don't protect your people's basic freedoms--speech, expression, religion, fair elections--then you just look dumb.  Heck, you could even have a fucking monarchy if you want.  But really, advance into the 18th Century and out of the dark ages.

I offer some basic do's and don't's for the current Egyptard leadership:

• Don't attack peaceful protesters
• Do protect peaceful protesters from assault
• Don't attack members of the press
• Do protect members of the press from assault
• Don't block communications in order to stifle opposition
• Do protect communication networks even if you don't like what is being communicated
• Don't rig elections
• Do hold free and fair elections
• Don't be president for more than a few years
• Do adhere to clear constitutional term limits for the head of state