[camperman]

You need to read a book called Systemantics by John Gall. It's a hilarious and accurate look at how large systems fail. Although parts are somewhat dated, the principles are the same.

In particular his material on bureaucracies is relevant: when threatened, bureaucracies immediately fight for self-preservation. Boisjoly was threatening the bureaucracy and so had to be eliminated for it to survive. Its actions makes perfect sense in the light of this. Ugly, yes but understandable.

[pmarreck]

If you like books of that nature, have you heard of Thinking in Systems? http://smile.amazon.com/Thinking-Systems-Donella-H-Meadows/d...

[camperman]

I haven't - thanks for the heads up.