I found this so irresistable I am copying and pasting it here in full, rather than simply linking . It has even more applications than it was designed for; as a generic column on international institutions that Alan Beattie of the Financial Times wrote and forwarded to his colleague, Gideon Rachman, the FT's Chief Foreign Correspondent. " By reporters everywhere An ineffectual international organisation yesterday issued a stark warning about a situation it has absolutely no power to change, the latest in a series of self-serving interventions by toothless intergovernmental bodies. “We are seriously concerned about this most serious outbreak of seriousness,” said the head of the institution, either a former minister from a developing country or a mid-level European or American bureaucrat. “This is a wake-up call to the world. They must take on board the vital message that my organisation exists.” The director of the body, based in one of New York, Washington or an agreeable Wes...
Stirring grist, grizzle and gore to flavour the stew.