Bodyguards and Secrets

< Older | Newer >
Bodyguards and Secrets
Lome, Togo West Africa
Monday, June 18, 2007
Andy of HoboTraveler.com

I do not trust secrets and bodyguards to keep me safe, I do trust random behavior.

I know me, I tell, then you tell, then we have gossip and all sorts of fun things, it soon becomes Alices Restaurant.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice%27s_Restaurant

I do not like secrets, too many secrets and I will call you,
- Dysfunctional. -

A Chat conversation between Boy Genius and me.

Secrecy is not Security

Andy: If they can find a way, they will find a way
Hobo Techie: Yes, but this is similar to open vs closed source
Hobo Techie: Both are at the same level
Andy: same level of what
Hobo Techie: Same level of being secure
Andy: yes
Hobo Techie: Open source is not more secure
Hobo Techie: Neither is the closed
Andy: So this is my point
Andy: Open is not secret
Andy: Closed source is secret
Andy: Closed is not safer
Andy: So why be secret

I want to buy a bodyguard.

I am pretending I am a Mafioso, maybe the Sopranos, however I have never seen the Mafia singers TV show, not enough to say I know.

How much to buy a bodyguard?
Ok Mr. Bodyguard, I would like to kill the body, hmm, I want to kill the body you are protecting. You have a choice, you sell me the body, or I kill you and the body, which you guard, maybe your wife, but I do not think you care, maybe the small child.

So, tell me a price, help me or we kill the both of you.

Hmm, the average person in your country makes 30 dollars per month, and you are making 60 dollars per month, therefore the going price to buy you is maybe five times your yearly wages, I think you can find a better job in five years.

Ok, we have decided.

60 dollars times 12 months is --- 720 U.S. Dollar
720 times 5 years is --- 3600 U.S. Dollars.

3600 U.S. Dollars and you live and the body dies.

Ok, thank you, a small price to guarantee that American does not get that Ten Million Dollar contract here in my country.

There is a price on your body, what is the price for your body?

I am more the hiding in plain site type of guy; I believe the best security is to not be worth anything, maybe a Hobo.

I remember in Iraq, getting an offer to ride in a Hummer from Arbil to Baghdad and I said,
- Are you nuts, you guy are targets, we will take the bus. -

We showed up randomly, got on the bus and left, then the only problem was the cell phones on the bus, one US made in Iraq translator made me nervous, I knew to buy him was cheap. I spent a lot of time talking with him and his wife and child, it I go, you go.

Maybe I should say, if you cannot stop them, help them as I would say in the permission to use photos on site… hehehe. I either give them permission or they steal photos, so I may as well help them and get some referrals.
http://www.hobotraveler.com/helpcenter/question/tos-terms-to-use-photos-from-site-of-hobotraveler-com.php
http://www.hobotraveler.com/helpcenter/category/photos-photography/

Bodyguards, Secrets, Danger, Security, Togo, Webmaster,

Bodyguards and Secrets

< Older | Newer >
Reader Submitted Comments | Deleted Comments (0)

goingeverywhereslow said on Monday June 18th, 2007 03:18:00 PM

Andy,Hiding in plain sight. I love that phrase.I think of all those animals in nature that blend in so well with their surroundings that you can't see them unless your really looking closely. They're doing what they can to not become a target.Being worth nothing or appearing to be worth nothing must work likewise for us humans. I'm now inspired to make all my gear look as ugly as possible.Eric

Andy HoboTraveler.com said on Monday June 18th, 2007 04:31:00 PM

Perception is more real than reality. I say Hobo, and the people believe like a bum.I say Hobo and they think I am stupid.I am not fat, and in Togo I am a poor person.Eric, the need to feel important is a need or feel special, fashionable, I think maybe more important to a person than personal safety. The desire to brag or be above a neighbor or look good is intrincically connected to the egos of 97 percent of peoople.Self-esteem is tied to how they think people view them, not to how they view themselves.

goingeverywhereslow said on Monday June 18th, 2007 06:19:00 PM

Good point, and sad but true. I think that in itself is partly why the planet is in debt for 44 trillion."Too many people spend money they haven't earned, to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like."- Will RogersEric