While NATO is doubtless all the things said about it here in these excellent posts...and I feel the same as most all the writers. I have a bone to pick though.

For example, what Frank wrote was exactly right, except for the last line. Drew and others as well.

Who cares if they are astroturfing and dinosaurs. They have the spotlight. They have billions of money-units. Changing them 1% would affect the world.

Correct me if I am wrong Sven, but in marketing you don't go for the masses. You go for the opinion leaders. This adventure at NATO is or isn't going to reach their opinion leader(s), but as they say, you tilt for the Overton Window that you can reach.

No, NATO won't respond well to "Close Shop, give your budget to the poor." But what is within the realm of their jazz? What bright idea would they take and steal as their own? Or, when picked up by opinion leaders stopping by, what would we like to push?

There ain't no way that Obama is going to say, "Here, I'm busy this next few years and we're tired of your lame asses." What would make it easier for them USians to put less attention on this mechanism so they can gradually stop being the big boss without the wingnuts going shaky hand?

What would one say if 'they' were buying the first round of Caol Ila?

Never underestimate their intelligence, always underestimate their knowledge.

Frank Delaney ~ Ireland