So far we have the right wing, religious fundamentalist, entrepreneurial, enclave in Oregon; the secular libertarian, cat loving, anti-government enclave in Washington; the hopelessly optimistic, workaholic, create your own universe enclave in Naches (commonly known as the Tooth Fairy enclave); and the super spy, Homeland Security, anti-pie-and-Mexican-restaurants enclave in the East (commonly known as the Dark Side); all presided over by the Mad Matriarch of Port Angeles whose idea of slowing down is volunteer work instead of for pay. What an eclectic balance we have represented. (Balanced does not preclude unhinged.)
Is the balance now being upset? For years I have had the theory that each hair follicle is synaptically connected to a string of brain cells. As the brain cells die off, so does the hair. This condition is commonly manifested by things like voting for Bush, having kids, or being picked for jury duty. As we all know, Jef has reached this precarious position prematurely, hence the NSA brain transplant. But it gets worse. Now that Jeff has been officially "outed" as a cross-dressing Princess (and by no less than the Tooth Fairy herself) his security clearance with NSA is obviously compromised. How then can an organization as paranoid as NSA maintain any level of confidence? By getting their information clandestinely from those who know him best. In short, infiltration.
But wait another nanosecond. Who has coincidentally just arrived with a carefully crafted story of family and profession and common heritage? How do we know that this Kjetil (or other code name) isn't some NSA sleeper? I have always assumed that we were the politically correct descendants of Viking warriors, an outdated but nonetheless honorable heritage (What's in your wallet?) right up there with the Huns and Mongol hordes. I figured Pillage and Plunder were part of the family crest. Now in a deliberatey designed assault on our very identity, he would have us believe that our ancestors were Brussel sprout farmers?? I would rather atone for ancestors who were slave traders than for setting Brussel sprouts upon the world. But can we trust someone who eats Brussel sprouts as well as squid (and undoubtedly lutefisk as well)?
Dave
By the way, anyone complaining about U.S. winter is probably a source of high amusement in Norway.