The "new" reality:Does Obama get it - yet?

Here are the three above-the-fold headlines on Google News just now:

Obama urges world to stand united

Obama: Nations Must Work Together on Climate Change, Economy

Obama: World failing to deal with challenges

So, Mr. President, if the world refuses to step up to the plate and

"work together to confront the most pressing challenges of today"

will you, sir, as the leader of the free world, lead the world - kicking and screaming - to someplace they apparently have no desire nor courage to venture?

A Tale Told by Three Idoits

"Public Option" is not an option!

One morning last week, I got to my MTC bus stop ten minutes early, so I felt secure in the knowledge that I would get to work on time. Sure enough, at the designated time, the bus pulls up and I and a dozen or so other fellow adventurers climb on board.

Little did we know we were in for a real adventure that would take a sharp left turn into the twilight zone.

As we settle in, another bus of the same route designation pulls up in front of our carriage. A minute later, without comment, it proceeds to run the route sans any passengers (forgive me, for when it comes to ludicrous insanity, there is nothing more suited than la French). We, the passengers that is, remain seated and immobile.

WTF?!

It seems that the driver of the first part was, in fact, the driver of the second part and his departation time did not commence for another twelve minutes. It seems he assumed that the bus of the second part, which in fact was the bus of the first part, was late (he was, by one minute) and generously saddled up to our boarding point and graciously let us on.

Unfortunately, he told no one that he was not the bus of the first part but rather the bus of the second part.

Nails in the coffin:

1) the local bus supervisor was right there, in his government paid MTC van following the actual bus of the first part, but made no effort to inform the passengers that they were on the wrong bus (enough with the first and second part designations, please!); and

2) the response I got from my subsequent complaint to higher authorities basically said the fault lay with the passengers for it is their responsibility to be at the proper MTC bus stops at the designated time and to ensure they get on the right bus.

"I'm sorry for your loss ma'am but you have to realize - the stent the doctors put in your husband's artery was in fact an arterial blocker. The nurses gave them the wrong device because the manufacturer labeled the supplies wrong. We are, after all, a public utility and therefore owned by the public and therefore the public is responsible for ensuring these sorts of things don't happen (and these things would not happen if we had a larger budget) and therefore as a member of the public you are to blame for your husband's death. We offer our heartfelt condolences."

I just love these things!

FROM THE DESK OF: MR ABU BAKARA
CHIEF ACCOUNTANT OFFICER
FEDERAL MINISTRY OF PETROLUEM RESOURCES(F.M.P.R)
LAGOS NIGERIA.
TEL: 234-8074967779


ATTN: SIR/MADAM

REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE- STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL

I am MR ABU BAKARA, Chief accountant Officer Federal Ministry of petroleum Resources (MPR) and a member of a three-man Tender Board in charge of contract review and payment approvals. I came to know of you in my search for a reliable person to handle a very confidential transaction that involves the transfer of a huge sum of money to a foreign account. It may sound strange but exercise patience and read on. There were series of contracts executed by a consortium Multinational in the Oil industry in favour of Ministry of Petroleum Resources among which were:

1.The extension of pipeline network within Nigeria for crude oil, Down stream products distribution and subsequent evacuation- US$ 195 Million.

2. Contract for the Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) of the various refineries in the country~ US$ 152Million.

3. The construction of storage tanks for petroleum products (Depots) US$240 Million. The original values of this contract were deliberately over invoiced to the sum of US $18.5million American Dollars which has now been approved and is now ready to be transferred being that the companies that actually executed these contracts has been fully paid and project officially commissioned. consequently, my colleagues and I are willing to transfer the total amount to your account for subsequent disbursement since we are Civil Servant and are prohibited by the Code of Conduct Bureau (Civil Servant Laws) from opening/operating foreign account in our names. Needless to say, the trust posed on you at this juncture is enormous.

In return, we have agreed to offer you 30% of the transferred sum while 10% shall be set aside for accidental expenses (Internal & External) between the parties in the course of the transfer. We will mandate you to draw up an investment plan for us of which you will control since we cannot bring our shares back to Nigeria. We are very interested in investing in real estate in your country. You must however note that this transaction is subjected to the following terms and conditions:

1. Our conviction of your transparent honesty and diligence.

2. That you will treat this transaction with utmost secrecy and confidentiality because of the circumstances we now find ourselves.

3. That the funds would be transferred to an account over which you have absolute control. Modalities have been worked out at the highest level of the presidency at the Central Bank of Nigeria for the immediate transfer of the funds within 14 working days, subject to your satisfaction of the above stated terms.

Our assurance is that your role is 100% risk free. To accord this transaction, the legality it deserves and for mutual security of the parties involved and the funds, the whole approval procedures will be officially and legally processed with your name or the name of your company you may nominate as the Bonafide beneficiary.

Also, be informed that our main reason of contacting you is for the obvious reason that we will want to invest these funds in the real estate. It is our believe that you can be of immense help in this regards. Kindly expedite action so as to enable us include this transaction into this batch as payment to foreign contractors is usually carried out on quarterly basis.

Please, contact me as soon as possible. Respond through my private email abubakara32@gmail.com for further directives.

Best regards,

MR ABU BAKARA