School For Corruption

West Point and Annapolis have served this nation well over our history. They provided a singular class of leaders which have seen us through more than two centuries of armed conflict and in the process built a legacy which is the envy of all who aspire to create such an institution. In 1956, the two stalwarts were joined by a third service academy that reflected the slightly different needs of the Air Force. With fifty years of history in that role, the AF Academy has now built its own legacy.

Yes, we have a Coast Guard Academy and a Merchant Marine Academy as well, but the landmarks are the three major military schools. Now, we've got this apparently serious proposal:

Training the Next Generation of Kick-back Artists

I wouldn't scoff too loudly at the idea. I can see it happening. There's money to be handed out in this process and then a future of political pandering as law-makers dole out the appointments to this prestigious institution of political correctness. Imagine a free education and indoctrination followed by a lifetime tenure at the public trough! This is just the administration to institutionalize such a concept.

The clear question to be asked, which undoubtedly won't be, is: what could possibly be taught there that isn't already available in the top tier universities of the nation? Don't we have schools which offer experienced faculty training students in the principles of our government? Don't we already teach law and economics, history and managment, leadership and organization? Don't we already have Skull and Bones?

What would they teach at this Academy? Who would the faculty be? The mind absolutely boggles when you begin to conjure up the likes of Chomsky and Alinsky which would surely gravitate to such an incubation dish for future dictators and commissars. Guest lectures from Larry Craig, Rod Blagojevitch, Al Gore, and Bill Clinton would certainly be on the schedule. We'd learn about wide stances, the value of appointments in terms of campaign donations, the investment opportunities of crisis and what to do with a good cigar.

Then picture a future in fifty years as the alumni begin to network their way into the top levels of the nation. Mayors, governors, presidents and caudillos would all be inbred to an astounding degree. I'm thinking intelligentsia morphed into nomenklatura with a sprinkling of aristocracy and maybe some storm-trooper in the closet.