For subtle humor and irony, you really cannot beat Floyd Dibbert, the guy who works in the basement of the US Capitol creating names for proposed legislation. I had a chance to talk with Mr. Dibbert the other day when I called the Capitol switchboard in DC asking for "whoever the Bozo was that named HR 2337".
"Dibbert here", he answered.
"Mr. Dibbert, I just finished reading this bill that calls for triple damages and fines of $25,000 per day from date of incursion to date of correction wiht no statute of limitations, and treble the treble damages for repeat violations of Federal mineral leases for things as small as clerical and transcription errors. I couldn't help but notice that this was hysterically named Energy Reform and Revitalization Act of 2007. The operator rang me through to you." I said.
"You liked that, did you?" Dibbert chuckled. "One of my better efforts if I say so myself. Call me Floyd, by the way. My friend does".
"How do you come up with this material? It is sublime! Lenny Bruce couldn't hold a candle to you!" I exclaimed. "I mean, Energy Revitalization! By cutting the heads off anyone drilling on Federal lands! That's like mandating daggers in your steering wheel to make you a better driver! Driver Revitalization! Brilliant."
"You caught that, did you? One of my better works, if I do say so myself," laughed Floyd. "I love a Democratic congress. It gives me so much material to craft ironic titles. With Republicans, I am limited to working with using words like 'Patriot', and 'Freedom' in wacky ways, but with Democrats, I get to use words like 'Revitalization', 'Choice', 'Challenged', 'Family', 'Disadvantaged', 'Children', 'Environment', and 'Reform' in ways that are truly through the looking glass! I mean, we couldn't name the bills for what they really are, because then none would get passed. I mean, the one you called about would have to be called 'The End of Federal Oil and Gas Drillinga and Production By Anyone Smaller Than Exxon and Higher Prices and Foreign Oil Support Act"".
"Well, keep after it Floyd. You give us good laughs here in the heartland. At least as long as the dang bills don't get passed."
Does Mr. Dibbert dwell in a cubicle? Or is he important enough to have an office?
Posted by: joe-6-pack | June 26, 2007 at 06:48 PM
All the great ones dwell in cubicular space.
Posted by: Open Choke | June 27, 2007 at 11:20 AM