CHAPTER 1. WE ARE CHOSING, WE ARE BEING CHOSEN

"'Against all' was abolished long ago. Turnout thresholds were abolished. Soon even showing up to vote will be abolished — just announce everyone voted electronically."

"Then join us bloggers. We vote smart."

"Not a chance! I'll figure it out without snot-nosed help. I've got two months left..."

My wife is smart. Knows the whole Bible. Says it's written that all authority comes from God. I don't argue. Why bother? Main thing is it doesn't say all authority is forever. It says to pray for kings — but doesn’t say whether for their health or their peaceful rest. We're supposed to pray for them so we can live peaceful, prosperous lives, but with them life grows less peaceful and less prosperous.

What can you do? The opposition offers nothing—just protests to get beaten over the head. I believe you can't act without knowing three things: know yourself, know your opponent, know the conditions. Then victory is guaranteed—then you act.

You want to know who I am? Just a stockroom clerk at a store. I know the merchandise and fulfill internet orders. This is after losing my beloved job. I was a translator at a Protestant church.

New tsars love destroying what the old ones built. This one started by bringing back the old anthem. Then he shut down churches that historically didn't exist before perestroika. Mine's from the USA and has been meeting underground for ages. That's why you don't stick your neck out. Invite trouble and you'll have to go underground, or even leave entirely.

Who was I before turning to God? A student. Lots of interesting math and physics. Klystrons and magnetrons. Their optimization. On massive computers. Fascinating stuff. Microwaves, for instance, run on klystrons. Heat food with microwave radiation. Just don't heat your cat in one. Nothing living survives those rays. Magnetrons are better than klystrons. They extract every last drop of potential energy from particles. More efficient, better yield. Though my program was hardly beneficial. I think it was weapons development. That's why I don't regret leaving. I'm rambling. Time for bed.