Sunday, June 27, 2010

Who's Zooming Who?

You came to catch
You thought I'd be naive and tame
You met your match
I beat you at your own game
--Aretha Franklin

A group of people with the same bad habit meet to discuss their problem. It is an addictive behavior they share--one that's rung up such a tab that it's unlikely to be paid in full.

Back home, each group member's support network have been quite clear on what needs to be done to break the addiction. Change your behavior. Start making amends. Pay back you debts. There is much hand wringing among group members, and collective agreement on the need for change.

So the group resolves to make a pact. Someone whips out a sheet of paper and the members write down what each promises to do in order to kick the habit.

"Yes, yes, that'll work!"

"Excellent!"

"Road to recovery!"

Exclamations intensify as members add their plans to the list.

After each contibutes to the promisory document, all that is left is to indicate when the remedial behaviors will commence.

The enthusiasm quickly leaves the room. Members look at each other in sadness. Shoulders sag. Some leave the meeting. One of the group picks up the pen and jots next to the Effective Date label:

"Later"

The G-20 meeting thereby ends.

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