Asia Times: Paulson's Lilliputian moment

[marmar]

Paulson's Lilliputian moment
By Julian Delasantellis


In Jonathan's Swift's 1726 novel Gulliver's Travels, explorer Lemuel Gulliver is shipwrecked off an unknown island; he swims ashore, falls asleep, then awakens, most surprisingly, to find himself tied up by the residents of the Kingdom of Lilliput.

"When I awakened, it was just Day-light. I attempted to rise, but was not able to stir: For as I happen'd to lye on my Back, I found my Arms and Legs were strongly fastened on each Side to the Ground; and my Hair, which was long and thick, tied down in the same Manner. I likewise felt several slender Ligatures across my Body, from my Armpits to my Thighs."

Who were his captors, the Lilliputians? Not much individually, but acting in unison they had managed to temporarily detain poor Gulliver.

"In a little time I felt something alive moving on my left Leg, which advancing gently forward over my Breast, came almost up to my Chin; when bending my Eyes downwards as much as I could, I perceived it to be a human Creature not six Inches <15 cm> high, with a Bow and Arrow in his hands, and a Quiver at his Back. In the meantime, I felt at least Forty more of the same Kind (as I conjectured) following the first. I was in the utmost Astonishment, and roared so loud, that they all ran back in a Fright; and some of them, as I was afterwards told, were hurt with the Falls they got by leaping from my Sides upon the Ground."

Beware, Barack Obama. Upon your arrival in Washington on January 20, beings of essentially similar stature (little people in intellectual if not physical stature) will most likely attempt to bind the new president to the inanities of the past. The success, or lack of success, of Obama's presidency will depend on his ability to cast off the ropes and make his own way in a very strange land. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/JK14Dj03.html

[malaise]

1. Very good read

Long but well worth it.
K & R