14 August 1999 - duelling

Over the last century health care costs have ballooned, pushing offstage a venerated dispute-resolution methodology, the duel. Today the honorable tradition of duelling is all but forgotten. But with modern lethal weapons and a worsening outbreak of lawyers, I believe the scene is set for a return of the duel as a restrained alternative to road rage and professional boxing. As an opening act, I propose that Bill Gates and U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno settle their little tiff with rocket-propelled grenades at ten paces.