Comment Alpha & Omega? (Score 1) 625
Some other come to mind, of course. The NSA, as others already mentioned. The Iranian secret police, the Mossad, the French hard types, etc.
Or any Orwellian "Big Brother" in the Information Age of "Trusted" Computing... Microsoft...
Or what about the Church? In y'all's God-fearing nation of Reverend Ministers and other Happy Campers, I'm actually sort of surprised not to see (in this list) the old Creator or so many org's that pretend to deal out punishment to sinners in his name.
Now, whether you believe in them or not, THEY must be rather scary --to the sinner, especially. He who is without sins, throweth the first "-1" :)
Just to prove that point, here's an Italian joke about the Powers that be and not to be messed with.
One day, His Holyness Pope Benedict XVI (what they call Ratzinger outside any Warcrimes tribunals), tired of running around in dresses and trying on new Dior hats, wants to take his official car for a spin.
He finds his driver, almost asleep, leaning against the limo: he really looks like he needs a break or something. So the Pope says to him, "I want to go for a ride, but, I don't want to abuse you. You go home and rest, I'll drive!" -The driver answers, somewhat shaken (aware his job may be on the line), "No, Your Holyness, I couldn't accept that! I'll drive you anywhere you want, naturally..."
The Pope insists that he wishes to drive, himself, and -naturally- the driver can't argue with his highest boss. So he says, "Please, in that case, do drive the car, but let me accompany you. I'll sit in the back, to be with you in case of whatever. Think of your safety... It's my job, you know."
The Pope accepts and sits down behind the wheel, and so they go for a drive. The driver soon regrets his words, when the Pope runs a few red lights and drives way to fast through Rome's busy streets.
They head out on the freeway, and the Pope speeds the car up to 170 MPH, oblivious to the driver's protests and pleas for prudence coming from in the back.
When suddenly a Carabinieri patrol car sweeps in behind them, all bells and sirens. The driver, in the back, turns white as a sheet, closes his eyes says nothing, while the Pope slows down, stops the vehicle and rolls down the window. The Policeman comes up to the side of the limo, looks inside, and asks the Pope for the car documents.
Nothing happens for a while, until they hear the nervous voice of the Policeman, shouting through his radio and insisting to speak to his boss. Then they hear:
Please, Boss. I don't know what to do. I've pulled over this car speeding at 170, but I don't dare to make an arrest! This guy is like really important, you know..!"
After a brief pause, the Policeman is shouting, "No Boss! You don't understand! I'm the first to want to set example and bust them, no matter, but.. no.. this guy is like REALLY, REALLY important!! .. I mean, he must be like GOD or something..!?!? I mean, who can it be? The guy.. he has the Pope for his driver!!!"
Or any Orwellian "Big Brother" in the Information Age of "Trusted" Computing... Microsoft...
Or what about the Church? In y'all's God-fearing nation of Reverend Ministers and other Happy Campers, I'm actually sort of surprised not to see (in this list) the old Creator or so many org's that pretend to deal out punishment to sinners in his name.
Now, whether you believe in them or not, THEY must be rather scary --to the sinner, especially. He who is without sins, throweth the first "-1"
Just to prove that point, here's an Italian joke about the Powers that be and not to be messed with.
One day, His Holyness Pope Benedict XVI (what they call Ratzinger outside any Warcrimes tribunals), tired of running around in dresses and trying on new Dior hats, wants to take his official car for a spin.
He finds his driver, almost asleep, leaning against the limo: he really looks like he needs a break or something. So the Pope says to him, "I want to go for a ride, but, I don't want to abuse you. You go home and rest, I'll drive!" -The driver answers, somewhat shaken (aware his job may be on the line), "No, Your Holyness, I couldn't accept that! I'll drive you anywhere you want, naturally..."
The Pope insists that he wishes to drive, himself, and -naturally- the driver can't argue with his highest boss. So he says, "Please, in that case, do drive the car, but let me accompany you. I'll sit in the back, to be with you in case of whatever. Think of your safety... It's my job, you know."
The Pope accepts and sits down behind the wheel, and so they go for a drive. The driver soon regrets his words, when the Pope runs a few red lights and drives way to fast through Rome's busy streets.
They head out on the freeway, and the Pope speeds the car up to 170 MPH, oblivious to the driver's protests and pleas for prudence coming from in the back.
When suddenly a Carabinieri patrol car sweeps in behind them, all bells and sirens. The driver, in the back, turns white as a sheet, closes his eyes says nothing, while the Pope slows down, stops the vehicle and rolls down the window. The Policeman comes up to the side of the limo, looks inside, and asks the Pope for the car documents.
Nothing happens for a while, until they hear the nervous voice of the Policeman, shouting through his radio and insisting to speak to his boss. Then they hear:
Please, Boss. I don't know what to do. I've pulled over this car speeding at 170, but I don't dare to make an arrest! This guy is like really important, you know..!"
After a brief pause, the Policeman is shouting, "No Boss! You don't understand! I'm the first to want to set example and bust them, no matter, but.. no.. this guy is like REALLY, REALLY important!!
