(no subject)

This is the best article I've ever read about monitoring employee Internet usage:

Technology that monitors employees' Web usage sounds like a smart way to keep them focused on work. Wrong. Let 'em surf.

WWII

Allied troops crossing the Rhine into the German heartland, March, 1945.

General Montgomery (British) had the north part of the river. His crossing involved 80,000 men, smoke screens, boats, airplanes, and 100,000,000 (yes, 100 million) pounds of artillery shells. Thus, the Germans knew where he was and moved a good chunk of their troops up north to counter.

General Bradley (US) in the middle of the Rhine had the incredible luck of finding an intact bridge. He was over just as the Germans realized their mistake. There was a lot of fighting to keep the bridge, but not what Monty was facing.

General Patton (US) on the southern portion of the Rhine pulled a completely un-Patton like operation. No artillery, no air support, Patton's regiments just walked up with amphibious vehicles and crossed with no fanfare, taking the Germans completely by surprise. The first regiment over the Rhine (around 2000-3000 men) had 20 casualties.

From Citizen Soldiers, by Stephen Ambrose, about Patton himself making his crossing:

The following day, Patton walked across a pontoon bridge built by his engineers. He stopped in the middle. While every GI in the immediate area who had a camera took his picture, he urinated into the Rhine -- a long, high, steady stream. As he buttoned up, Patoon said, "I've waited a long time to do that. I didn't even piss this morning when I got up so I would have a really full load. Yes, sir, the pause that refreshes."

Patton sometimes had the anatomically dubious distinction of being both a dick and an asshole simultaneously. Sometimes, however, he had his own certain style.

(no subject)

Hmm. My comments seem to be disappearing into the aether.