There has been much discussion in pundit circles of the proper role in the future Iraqi government of Ahmed Chalabi, the head of an exile group called the Iraqi National Congress. ("Oxblog's" David Adesnik has something of a roundup of the controversy.) Personally, I had no opinion on the fellow until I learned one crucial fact: apparently, he has a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Chicago.

Having known a number of mathematics PhDs, I can say without the slightest hesitation that under no circumstances should such a person be allowed to run a faculty meeting, let alone a country. Perhaps he should be encouraged to pursue a career in professional football instead.

Okay, maybe he can be allowed to run the new Iraqi army. After all, we certainly wouldn't want him to start feeling frustrated...