Right angles?

John Hood, Stagemanager at the Art Pope Puppetshow, has been bragging in his columns lately about the considerable influence he's been able to buy with the $4 million a year Papa Pope gives him in spending money. We know, for example, that the Puppetshow has deeply infiltrated WPTF-AM 680 (Little Ricky, news director), the (News and Observer ) and NC State.

So why is it that no one ever reads their blogs? It's tempting to think the attention deficit is simply a result of reactionary content, but if you'll allow me a moment of armchair psychology, I think their problem runs deeper. You see, the Puppetshow operates under a command and control model. You either agree with them and suck up to the Stagemanager or you find another job. You cavort in the boys club on their terms, and you do not challenge the wisdom of the Magic Invisible Hand that eventually cures all ills. Is it any wonder that no one bothers to comment on their "suite" of irrelevant blogs?

It's ironic that for all their rhetoric about free-markets, the Puppets are so stingy when it comes to the free expression of thought. Or maybe it's not ironic at all, now that I think of it. It's perfectly predictable. No dissent = no discussion = no pesky comments.

In view of all this, I'm surprised Puppetmaster, isn't asking for his money back. He clearly knows how to do that. To my knowledge.