Chipotle Wants to Get into Your Head -- Minnesota Politicians Make Nice -- Moving the Goal Post

“Our ultimate marketing mission is to make Chipotle not just a food brand but a purpose-driven lifestyle brand,” the executive, Christopher Brandt, said on an earnings call. By that, he added, he meant that “Chipotle will become a brand that people want to know about, want to be a part of and want to wear as a badge.”
NYT

I went into a fast food joint to grab a bite to eat;
the staff gave me a group hug, strewing flowers at my feet.
With only a half hour, I just wanted service quick;
but first I had to fill out a long survey, mighty thick.
Then a psychoanalyst was brought into my booth;
she wanted me to tell her all about my gilded youth.
And finally a doctor came to take my pulse and temp;
he offered me a sedative (I think twas made of hemp.)
I fled that place in terror; their compassion was intrusive --
and found refuge at KFC -- so careless and abusive! 

The author of the above NYT quote, Sapna Maheshwari, emailed me this reply:
"hah, this is a very funny one!"

The decline of civility in political debate was alarming. Harsh rhetoric was getting in the way of resolving bitter disputes.  This was Duluth, Minn., more than a decade ago as tensions rose over local budget strains.   The leaders of Duluth decided to do something about it. Civic leaders launched something called Speak Your Peace: The Civility Project. They drew up a list of nine guidelines for civilized debate so simple they could and did fit on a wallet card.  Then, a funny thing happened. People took the idea to heart. All six major units of regional government—city and county boards and school districts—adopted the guidelines. As debate improved, so did the process of addressing problems.
WSJ

Political niceness is rare;
it's likely something in the air.
With pine trees and lakes
and very few fakes,
Duluth would support a Voltaire. 

President Trump's defense in the Russia investigation has been a study in goal-post moving — constantly watering down previous denials and raising the standard for what would constitute actual wrongdoing.

Washington Post

To shrug off a carload of blame

the bigwigs like playing a game;

diluting the facts

and hiring hacks

to make their opponents look lame.