Pimpin', Yo

You all remember how I found my friend Matt-Chew through Facebook last month? Well, he's been hanging around, keeping me amused since then. When I was ranting and raving about our nation building efforts in Afghanistan, he gave the discussion some perspective with his definition of when we should nation-build: The Spiccoli Test.

"I've often thought that, before committing to nation building, we should ask ourselves if the country in question passes this basic test: can they, as a society, understand the basic concepts of democracy? After all, the 80's stoned, surfer icon Joe Spiccoli was able to grasp the basic concept after his impromptu tutoring session with his long suffering history teacher (for those two people over 35 out there who haven't seen "Fast times at Ridgemont High", just trust me here). To paraphrase Mr. Spiccoli, he realized that we broke from England because their rules were bogus, and if we didn't get some cool rules, pronto, then we'd be bogus too. I think that's a fair standard to start with . . . Does this or that country pass "The Spiccoli Test"? Are they able to grasp the concept of "cool rules"? If not, nation builders beware . . ."

Well, now Matt has decided to keep me amused by writing for his OWN blog instead of just leaving pithy comments here, the bastard. It's called "The Vagabond Way," and he brings his widely varied experience as a combat journalist, retail manager, coffee connoisseur, Latin scholar and Big Apple transplant to bear in providing his commentary on the world. It's worth your time, Hot Chicks and Smart Men.

Welcome to the Internet, Matt. And you get extra bonus points if you actually wear the costume.