I'd rather you didn't smoke in here." "Kawahara, I'd rather you died of an internal hemorrhage, but I don't suppose you'll oblige me. - Richard K. Morgan

Naturally these penalties were applicable only to private citizens, not military commanders or government executives. The powerful are jealous of their toys.

The human eye is a wonderful device. With a little effort, it can fail to see even the most glaring injustice.

Anyone who bar-codes their employees isn’t likely to be the forgiving type, and the reflex of long-held obedience through hierarchy is usually enough to overcome fear of a combat death. That’s how you fight wars, after all—with soldiers who are more afraid of stepping out of line than they are of dying on the battlefield.