Aaah, welcome back the old Meph. Absolutely right except for one point. The COO & DFO are NOT oblivious. They know, full well, what is going on but can't do much. Even in these directive & controlling positions, hands are tied. So, they just sit back & calculate the bonuses paid for towing the line.In my part of the world, managerial power is given. Get it wrong, you will be fired. In your part of the world, where it matters who you know, real power never given but controlled, a strangled and fearful management will never succeed. But then you know all that, Meph, and clearly back on top form. A delight to read, albeit a bit sad.