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  • = a situation in which one can never win or from which one can never escape

    July 25, 2008

  • Yes, but there's the important dimension that you are trapped because of some kind of nightmare of malevolent bureaucracy. Thus, it could conceivably apply to one of Kafka's protagonists, but you wouldn't say that Prometheus being stuck on a rock having his liver eaten anew every night was a Catch 22 situation.

    July 25, 2008

  • I hate to be a persnickety (yes, with an S) editor-type, but isn't there properly a hyphen between Catch and 22? *ducks from rocks thrown at her*

    July 25, 2008

  • Yes, Catch 22 is the specific nightmare of bureaucracy. Also a really good read!

    July 25, 2008

  • ..... looking around for a nice smooth stone .....

    July 25, 2008

  • I believe there IS c_b -- but FYI: we're not paying you the big bucks for noticing ;-) *looks around for something to hide under*

    July 25, 2008

  • And, BTW, where the hell is Pro, anyway? He should have been here long ago.

    July 25, 2008

  • You're being really perceptive today, C_B! I am presaging that your famous last words will be "if I may... I think you mean... I hate to be persnickety, but!...". Amirite? Just yanking your chain *g*

    July 25, 2008

  • Well, I could always just post dickish and mean comments that make people feel bad for posting. But I generally try not to do that.

    July 25, 2008

  • I love your corrections. Especially, when they are addressed to other people. Then it's *hilarious*.

    July 25, 2008

  • P.S. yanking my chain is an abomination.

    July 25, 2008

  • Don't yank The Bear's chain. You'll be sorry.

    July 25, 2008

  • *yanks C_B's chain sneakily* If you weren't tethered by these shackles, no one would ever be tempted to tug at your chain, you, fettered Bear. (I love your nick-name. It makes for some good – or bad – jokes).

    July 26, 2008