Love is always seventeen: by David Gates
The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance. Love and wisdom are synonymous. Only those who are wise can be truly loving. The love of money can be the root of all evil. The love of anything can be the root of all evil. People would steal, kill, destroy, cheat, lie and commit all kinds of evil in the name of love. On the other hand, love can also be the root of all good. What determines whether the love is the root of good of evil is wisdom. Love with wisdom is the root of good. Without wisdom it is evil.
Truth and love are one. Some people place love as of higher importance than truth. They are being ignorant and can never attain the fullness of love. If there was an order of which comes first in the divine hierarchy of things, then it would be truth. Because Logos is the foundation of all existence. When you seek truth, you will know love. When you seek love, you may not find truth. Because truth stands by itself whereas love needs truth for it to be true. Truth and love are one, but truth is the preeminent to know.
I am not a stranger to you path, indeed I know by heart,
the Trail Of Tears
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Two Wolves
A Cherokee Legend
An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy.
"It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego." He continued, "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
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Here is the same story, but it is called "Grandfather Tells" which is also known as "The Wolves Within"
An old Grandfather said to his grandson, who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice, "Let me tell you a story.
I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do.
But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times." He continued, "It is as if there are two wolves inside me. One is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him, and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way.
But the other wolf, ah! He is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger,for his anger will change nothing.
Sometimes, it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit."
The boy looked intently into his Grandfather's eyes and asked, "Which one wins, Grandfather?"
The Grandfather smiled and quietly said, "The one I feed."
Many Paths One Love:
An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy.
"It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego." He continued, "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Here is the same story, but it is called "Grandfather Tells" which is also known as "The Wolves Within"
An old Grandfather said to his grandson, who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice, "Let me tell you a story.
I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do.
But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times." He continued, "It is as if there are two wolves inside me. One is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him, and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way.
But the other wolf, ah! He is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger,for his anger will change nothing.
Sometimes, it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit."
The boy looked intently into his Grandfather's eyes and asked, "Which one wins, Grandfather?"
The Grandfather smiled and quietly said, "The one I feed."
Many Paths One Love:
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Office Depot Black Friday
I never thought I would find myself first in line at 3:am with my handsome nephew just to buy new toys that will help me keep up with all of you blogger friends, and satisfie your request. With my new camera and lap top I'm free to travel the world, and still keep up with all you wonderful guys. It may look like I may have only two brave highly intelligent, attractive and sexy women as followers, but I know all you old timers are out there. I hope all of you in my tribe will welcome and embrace my friends Lisa, and Akira
Thursday, November 27, 2008
A less Christian more more generic day of thanksgiving is needed.
American Indian protests against Thanksgiving began in Massachusetts in the 1970s. Every Thanksgiving Day, protestors gather at the top of Cole's Hill, which overlooks Plymouth Rock. This is in honor of Wamsutta James, who, in 1970, was the first person to demonstrate Cole's Hill and protest of the injustices that the American Indians had endured. Such injustices include the capturing and selling of American Indians as slaves; the robbing of their ancestor's graves; the theft of their winter food provisions; the taking of their lands and culture; and depriving them of their freedom. Since the day James' speech was given, Thanksgiving Day for American Indians has become the "National Day of Mourning."
Religion, is there any hope?
Joseph Dan argues convincingly that the very concepts of religion and theology as the academy understands them today are Christian concepts, derived from Christianity's early accommodations with Greco-Roman culture, resulting in a clear differentiation between the realms of church and state and between theology and philosophy. Judaism (and Islam), in contrast, have no such conceptual differentiation between the profane and the religious realms. Instead, these are cultures in which everything ideally participates in the holy, including the most mundane activities. Consequently, nothing lies outside the realm of religion; divinely ordained law governs literally every aspect of life, from the privacy of the home, to the marketplace, to the government, to matters of worship. Thus, the Jewish understanding of the non-Jew builds from a understanding of the self as a member of this holy community in contrast with an outside world that lives according to a different (or non-existent) relationship to God. (5) Modernity has challenged many aspects of this traditional identity, but one cannot understand this challenge without understanding.
From the days of the great Roman Empire; it has been the scared duty of the followers of Christ, to bloody everyone's noses including themselves, going as far as to slaughter millions of their fellow Christians. Though no Christian will claim him as such, Hitler was a very devout dark age type of Christian.
"In a Reichstag speech in 1938, Hitler again echoed the religious origins of his crusade. "I believe today that I am acting in the sense of the Almighty Creator. By warding off the Jews, I am fighting for the Lord's work."
Hitler regarded himself as a Catholic until he died. "I am now as before a Catholic and will always remain so," he told Gerhard Engel, one of his generals, in 1941.
There was really no reason for Hitler to doubt his good standing as a Catholic. The Catholic press in Germany was eager to curry his favor, and the princes of the Catholic Church never asked for his excommunication. Religions encourage their followers to hold authority in unquestioning respect; this is what makes devout religionists such wonderful dupes for dictators.
When Hitler narrowly escaped assassination in Munich in November, 1939, he gave the credit to providence. "Now I am completely content," he exclaimed. "The fact that I left the Burgerbraukeller earlier than usual is a corroboration of Providence's intention to let me reach my goal." Catholic newspapers throughout the Reich echoed this, declaring that it was a miraculous working of providence that had protected their Fuhrer. One cardinal, Michael Faulhaber, sent a telegram instructing that a Te Deum be sung in the cathedral of Munich, "to thank Divine Providence in the name of the archdiocese for the Fuhrer's fortunate escape." The Pope also sent his special personal congratulations!
Later the Pope was to publicly describe Hitler's opposition to Russia as a "highminded gallantry in defense of the foundations of Christian culture." Several German bishops openly supported Hitler's invasion of Russia, calling it a "European crusade."
Religion, is there any hope?
Joseph Dan argues convincingly that the very concepts of religion and theology as the academy understands them today are Christian concepts, derived from Christianity's early accommodations with Greco-Roman culture, resulting in a clear differentiation between the realms of church and state and between theology and philosophy. Judaism (and Islam), in contrast, have no such conceptual differentiation between the profane and the religious realms. Instead, these are cultures in which everything ideally participates in the holy, including the most mundane activities. Consequently, nothing lies outside the realm of religion; divinely ordained law governs literally every aspect of life, from the privacy of the home, to the marketplace, to the government, to matters of worship. Thus, the Jewish understanding of the non-Jew builds from a understanding of the self as a member of this holy community in contrast with an outside world that lives according to a different (or non-existent) relationship to God. (5) Modernity has challenged many aspects of this traditional identity, but one cannot understand this challenge without understanding.
From the days of the great Roman Empire; it has been the scared duty of the followers of Christ, to bloody everyone's noses including themselves, going as far as to slaughter millions of their fellow Christians. Though no Christian will claim him as such, Hitler was a very devout dark age type of Christian.
"In a Reichstag speech in 1938, Hitler again echoed the religious origins of his crusade. "I believe today that I am acting in the sense of the Almighty Creator. By warding off the Jews, I am fighting for the Lord's work."
Hitler regarded himself as a Catholic until he died. "I am now as before a Catholic and will always remain so," he told Gerhard Engel, one of his generals, in 1941.
There was really no reason for Hitler to doubt his good standing as a Catholic. The Catholic press in Germany was eager to curry his favor, and the princes of the Catholic Church never asked for his excommunication. Religions encourage their followers to hold authority in unquestioning respect; this is what makes devout religionists such wonderful dupes for dictators.
When Hitler narrowly escaped assassination in Munich in November, 1939, he gave the credit to providence. "Now I am completely content," he exclaimed. "The fact that I left the Burgerbraukeller earlier than usual is a corroboration of Providence's intention to let me reach my goal." Catholic newspapers throughout the Reich echoed this, declaring that it was a miraculous working of providence that had protected their Fuhrer. One cardinal, Michael Faulhaber, sent a telegram instructing that a Te Deum be sung in the cathedral of Munich, "to thank Divine Providence in the name of the archdiocese for the Fuhrer's fortunate escape." The Pope also sent his special personal congratulations!
Later the Pope was to publicly describe Hitler's opposition to Russia as a "highminded gallantry in defense of the foundations of Christian culture." Several German bishops openly supported Hitler's invasion of Russia, calling it a "European crusade."
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Growing up
My lame attempts at humor sometimes gets the best of me. I'm always digging a hole that I have to try and write myself out of.
I should grow up and quit writing like I'm still in high school, where my little news paper often got me a ticket to the Principal's office.
I need to find the proper balance it is good to be funny, but by what measure? And not by sacrificing all credibility.
I should grow up and quit writing like I'm still in high school, where my little news paper often got me a ticket to the Principal's office.
I need to find the proper balance it is good to be funny, but by what measure? And not by sacrificing all credibility.
Monday, November 24, 2008
I could Scream!
A picture is worth a thousand words so it is said, but only if someone cares to see it. I was shocked to learn not even my very first contact Caren; remembers what I look like.
Last year I paid over five hundred dollars for a new camera phone so I could send pictures to a special friend, then she quit talking to me! At least I had a nice phone, until someone stole it out of my office. Last month my brother gave me a new camera, I've been fooling with it for weeks now and have come to the conclusion that the damn thing is broken! No wonder my dear little brother was so generous, Ha, the cheap bastard.
Well at last I am pleased that there is someone really wants to know what I look like, and those ancient pictures I gave to Dave will never do. So I'm off to buy a new camera.
Last year I paid over five hundred dollars for a new camera phone so I could send pictures to a special friend, then she quit talking to me! At least I had a nice phone, until someone stole it out of my office. Last month my brother gave me a new camera, I've been fooling with it for weeks now and have come to the conclusion that the damn thing is broken! No wonder my dear little brother was so generous, Ha, the cheap bastard.
Well at last I am pleased that there is someone really wants to know what I look like, and those ancient pictures I gave to Dave will never do. So I'm off to buy a new camera.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
What is a real friend?
Is it someone you can call at three in the morning, to come get you out of jail, or maybe it is someone who will come sit with you when you are sick? Are friendships characterized by tolerance of under benefiting and need-based helping or do they conform to the logic of give and take? Biologists and social scientists differ in their concept of friendship. Most biologists conceive of friends as social tools to achieve fitness-related benefits. In contrast, most social scientists? definitions of friendship stress concern for each other?s well-being and a willingness to help each other without expecting repayment. These different views might reflect a real difference between human and non-human friendships as a consequence of different selection pressures. Most of our friends are human, and unlike dogs; at some point they will let you down. This is when understanding and forgiveness become necessary. As unpleasant as that may sound, we the strong must forgive those who are weak, or we risk becoming weak ourselves.
"The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget". - Thomas Szasz
"The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget". - Thomas Szasz
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
From a Distance
Three Dog Night said it well: One can be The loneliest number. For most of us, the desire to connect with others is a powerful force. Strong attachments with others not only make us happier, they also can make us healthier and help us to live longer. What do we live for? Nothing in life is as important as loving relationships!
I marvel at the fact that it is possible to have a solid friendship without ever speaking to one another. I can't be every one's friend, but I will try.
I marvel at the fact that it is possible to have a solid friendship without ever speaking to one another. I can't be every one's friend, but I will try.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
It Hurts Like Hell
Love sick fool, I know it hurts, you think that I have not been down that road a few times myself? Well think again. I never wanted to alarm you, but my heart had perceived that the most grievous tragedy of your life, created a fathomless vacuum in the center of you world.
I did my feeble best to embrace and comfort you. For I knew you could be heading for disaster, and even greater heartache. I did the best that I could under the restrictions, that so hindered my efforts to be a true friend. I wanted share with you my empathy, and help to calm your anguished spirit. I have no trouble seeing into the hearts of men, and I clearly saw the danger. Dear one, you were suffering from anxiety, very lonely, and in other words, you were in an extremely vulnerable state of mind, when you were seduced by that fake shadow of a man. I know all too well, the relentless power of infatuation. You were helpless and so lost in love that you were beyond any ones ability to warn you of the danger.
So now you know how it feels to be me:
I hate writing so generic like this, much like you my friend, it puts severe limitations on my ability to express my true feelings, but in order to preserve your anonymity, I can say little more, except:
Welcome to the club kid.
I got my face back, and in my eyes, so have you!
One has not truly lived, until they have been a Fool for the sake of LOVE!
Nanci Griffith & The Boston Pops
I did my feeble best to embrace and comfort you. For I knew you could be heading for disaster, and even greater heartache. I did the best that I could under the restrictions, that so hindered my efforts to be a true friend. I wanted share with you my empathy, and help to calm your anguished spirit. I have no trouble seeing into the hearts of men, and I clearly saw the danger. Dear one, you were suffering from anxiety, very lonely, and in other words, you were in an extremely vulnerable state of mind, when you were seduced by that fake shadow of a man. I know all too well, the relentless power of infatuation. You were helpless and so lost in love that you were beyond any ones ability to warn you of the danger.
So now you know how it feels to be me:
I hate writing so generic like this, much like you my friend, it puts severe limitations on my ability to express my true feelings, but in order to preserve your anonymity, I can say little more, except:
Welcome to the club kid.
I got my face back, and in my eyes, so have you!
One has not truly lived, until they have been a Fool for the sake of LOVE!
Nanci Griffith & The Boston Pops
Friday, November 07, 2008
To Every Thing There is a Season
As King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes (and as immortalized in folk song), "To everything there is a season... a time for war and a time for peace" (3:1,8). More than just words, it is life, and everyday we are put to the test. We all need some bad times in our lives. it builds and strengthens our character, and teaches us to be thankful for our many blessings. All the best writers and philosophers, have suffered from adversity, at some point in their lives.
I always wondered what it would be like, to work with someone like Dolly. This is a rare view of Dolly making a recording with the help of Mr.McGuinn. .. Roger McGuinn Records With Dolly Parton.
"Que sera, sera – whatever will be will be – is a very popular philosophy. It has its equivalents in Judaism. In fact even stronger versions: gam zu letovah, was Rabbi Akiva’s favourite dictum, when anything bad befell him – this too is for the good. Or in another phrase kol d’avid rachmanah letav avid – Everything that the All-Merciful does, is done for the best.
"Take note that ‘Que sera sera’ doesn’t say what will be will be for the best - it just will be and we have to accept it at that. It’s acceptance without regrets".
"Now, having complete trust in the Creator come what may is a strong religious virtue. There’s a time for everything under the sun says Kohelet in our Haftarah for Succot: "A time to be born, a time to die, a time for war, a time for peace…" The Succah also represents the duality of life: it’s frailty and vulnerability open to the elements; and it’s celebration of the good harvest of life.
"Kohelet says; to everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven. Everything is there for a purpose; ‘beshert’ as we say – beshert means decreed".
"There was a Rabbi Yosi who took this view of marriage. He asked what has the Creator been doing since the 6 days of Creation? Answer: matching up couples for marriage".
"Are marriages made in heaven? My answer is, if you want to believe that, well, you may believe that they are made in heaven – but they have to be maintained in the here and now by two down-to-earth-people with their feet firmly on the ground".
"There’s a lovely old-fashioned term for this belief that we can leave everything to the Almighty to take care of. It’s called Quietism.
"Jewish Quietism – sounds like a contradiction in terms. Quietists are people who believe in leaving everything to God to sort out. We shouldn’t interfere".
"I want to suggest we question Quietism.
"Modern Judaism, not only Reform, takes the view that, although much is not in our hands, free will is given to us. We take responsibility for our actions, we strive for a better world, we try to influence things for good".
"Indeed the same Rabbi Akiva who said ‘everything is for the good’ says: "Everything is known to God, yet free will is given to man." God knows what we will do and how things will work out, but it is still up to us, to arrange our own lives".
"Isn’t this a bit of a puzzle? Let’s just take a peep at how the Talmud deals with this issue. [B. Berachot 60a, b].
"There’s a rule: If you hear good news, there’s a berachah to say. For bad news, there’s also a berachah to say. For good news – Baruch… Hatov vehamaitiv we praise the One who does good and makes good. Over bad news Baruch Dayan ha'emet – Blessed be the true Judge. And it goes on to say: a person has to make a blessing over bad news as well as over good news. Chayav adam levareich al hara keshem shemevareich al tovah".
"What does that mean ? The Talmud answers it with a little story:
Rabbi Akiva was once on a journey. He came to a town and he wanted a room. Everyone refused to give him a room. Quite the opposite of the Succot message of hospitality!
"And what did Akiva say? Gam zu letovah. This too is for good.
So off goes Rabbi Akiva with his three prized possessions: a cockerel, an ass and a lamp. During the night, the wind came and blew out the lamp. A fox came and ate the cock. A lion came and ate the ass. So he wakes up and there is nothing there. Rabbi Akiva says: Gam zu letovah. This also is for good".
"When he comes back into the town the next morning, Akiva discovers that some bandits had entered the town and taken all the inhabitants away captive.
"So Rabbi Akivah says: you see! "Wasn't I right to say gam zu letovah? All this is for the good. If I had got a room in the town, I would have been taken captive. If the light had been burning, they’d have caught me. If the cock had been there it would have crowed it would have given me away. If the ass had been there, it would have brayed and they would have known I was there. So, obviously, whatever the Almighty does is for good".
"That’s the story". © Reuven Silverman 22.10.05
We pray, now as always, for an end to all wars, and that a just and lasting peace will ensue.
I always wondered what it would be like, to work with someone like Dolly. This is a rare view of Dolly making a recording with the help of Mr.McGuinn. .. Roger McGuinn Records With Dolly Parton.
"Que sera, sera – whatever will be will be – is a very popular philosophy. It has its equivalents in Judaism. In fact even stronger versions: gam zu letovah, was Rabbi Akiva’s favourite dictum, when anything bad befell him – this too is for the good. Or in another phrase kol d’avid rachmanah letav avid – Everything that the All-Merciful does, is done for the best.
"Take note that ‘Que sera sera’ doesn’t say what will be will be for the best - it just will be and we have to accept it at that. It’s acceptance without regrets".
"Now, having complete trust in the Creator come what may is a strong religious virtue. There’s a time for everything under the sun says Kohelet in our Haftarah for Succot: "A time to be born, a time to die, a time for war, a time for peace…" The Succah also represents the duality of life: it’s frailty and vulnerability open to the elements; and it’s celebration of the good harvest of life.
"Kohelet says; to everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven. Everything is there for a purpose; ‘beshert’ as we say – beshert means decreed".
"There was a Rabbi Yosi who took this view of marriage. He asked what has the Creator been doing since the 6 days of Creation? Answer: matching up couples for marriage".
"Are marriages made in heaven? My answer is, if you want to believe that, well, you may believe that they are made in heaven – but they have to be maintained in the here and now by two down-to-earth-people with their feet firmly on the ground".
"There’s a lovely old-fashioned term for this belief that we can leave everything to the Almighty to take care of. It’s called Quietism.
"Jewish Quietism – sounds like a contradiction in terms. Quietists are people who believe in leaving everything to God to sort out. We shouldn’t interfere".
"I want to suggest we question Quietism.
"Modern Judaism, not only Reform, takes the view that, although much is not in our hands, free will is given to us. We take responsibility for our actions, we strive for a better world, we try to influence things for good".
"Indeed the same Rabbi Akiva who said ‘everything is for the good’ says: "Everything is known to God, yet free will is given to man." God knows what we will do and how things will work out, but it is still up to us, to arrange our own lives".
"Isn’t this a bit of a puzzle? Let’s just take a peep at how the Talmud deals with this issue. [B. Berachot 60a, b].
"There’s a rule: If you hear good news, there’s a berachah to say. For bad news, there’s also a berachah to say. For good news – Baruch… Hatov vehamaitiv we praise the One who does good and makes good. Over bad news Baruch Dayan ha'emet – Blessed be the true Judge. And it goes on to say: a person has to make a blessing over bad news as well as over good news. Chayav adam levareich al hara keshem shemevareich al tovah".
"What does that mean ? The Talmud answers it with a little story:
Rabbi Akiva was once on a journey. He came to a town and he wanted a room. Everyone refused to give him a room. Quite the opposite of the Succot message of hospitality!
"And what did Akiva say? Gam zu letovah. This too is for good.
So off goes Rabbi Akiva with his three prized possessions: a cockerel, an ass and a lamp. During the night, the wind came and blew out the lamp. A fox came and ate the cock. A lion came and ate the ass. So he wakes up and there is nothing there. Rabbi Akiva says: Gam zu letovah. This also is for good".
"When he comes back into the town the next morning, Akiva discovers that some bandits had entered the town and taken all the inhabitants away captive.
"So Rabbi Akivah says: you see! "Wasn't I right to say gam zu letovah? All this is for the good. If I had got a room in the town, I would have been taken captive. If the light had been burning, they’d have caught me. If the cock had been there it would have crowed it would have given me away. If the ass had been there, it would have brayed and they would have known I was there. So, obviously, whatever the Almighty does is for good".
"That’s the story". © Reuven Silverman 22.10.05
We pray, now as always, for an end to all wars, and that a just and lasting peace will ensue.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
War
"Perhaps America will one day go fascist democratically, by popular vote."
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it"
William L. Shirer made these words the epigraph for his Rise and Fall
of the Third Reich (1959)."
It cost about 75 cents to kill a man in Caesar's time. The price rose to about $3,000 per man during the Napoleonic wars; to $5,000 in the American Civil War; and then to $21,000 per man in World War I. Estimates for the future wars indicate that it may cost the warring countries not less than $50,000 for each man killed. [The 2003-2006 Iraq War cost the U.S. Congress, per enemy killed, $11 million.]
Homer Truet Bone, US Senator during World War II
War is the health of the state [government power].
Randolph Bourne
Imagine there's a war and no one shows up
— then war will come to you.
Whoever stays home when the battle begins
and lets others fight for his cause
ought to watch out:
because whoever has not shared in the fight
will share in defeat.
He who wants to avoid fighting
will not once avoid the fight:
because he will fight for the cause of the enemy
who hasn't fought for his own.
Bertolt Brecht
Never, never, never believe any war will be smooth and easy, or that anyone who embarks on the strange voyage can measure the tides and hurricanes he will encounter. The statesman who yields to war fever must realize that once the signal is given, he is no longer the master of policy but the slave of unforeseeable and uncontrollable events.
Sir Winston Churchill
Endless money forms the sinews of war.
Cicero, in Philippics
War is a series of catastrophes that results in a victory.
Georges Clemenceau
I think that people want peace so much that one of these days government had better get out of the way and let them have it.
Dwight D. Eisenhower, President, 1952-1960
There is nothing that war has ever achieved that we could not better achieve without it.
Henry Havelock Ellis
The essence of war is violence. Moderation in war is imbecility.
Sir John Fisher
There never was a good war or a bad peace.
Benjamin Franklin, 1773-9-11
Of course the people don't want war. But after all, it's the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger. It works the same way in any country.
Hermann Göring, Nazi leader, at Nuremberg trials
War usually starts with collective euphoria.
Chris Hedges, War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning, p. 84
The first panacea for a mismanaged nation is inflation of the currency; the second is war. Both bring a temporary prosperity; both bring a permanent ruin. But both are the refuge of political and economic opportunists.
Ernest Hemingway
I abhor war and view it as the greatest scourge of mankind.
Thomas Jefferson
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it"
William L. Shirer made these words the epigraph for his Rise and Fall
of the Third Reich (1959)."
It cost about 75 cents to kill a man in Caesar's time. The price rose to about $3,000 per man during the Napoleonic wars; to $5,000 in the American Civil War; and then to $21,000 per man in World War I. Estimates for the future wars indicate that it may cost the warring countries not less than $50,000 for each man killed. [The 2003-2006 Iraq War cost the U.S. Congress, per enemy killed, $11 million.]
Homer Truet Bone, US Senator during World War II
War is the health of the state [government power].
Randolph Bourne
Imagine there's a war and no one shows up
— then war will come to you.
Whoever stays home when the battle begins
and lets others fight for his cause
ought to watch out:
because whoever has not shared in the fight
will share in defeat.
He who wants to avoid fighting
will not once avoid the fight:
because he will fight for the cause of the enemy
who hasn't fought for his own.
Bertolt Brecht
Never, never, never believe any war will be smooth and easy, or that anyone who embarks on the strange voyage can measure the tides and hurricanes he will encounter. The statesman who yields to war fever must realize that once the signal is given, he is no longer the master of policy but the slave of unforeseeable and uncontrollable events.
Sir Winston Churchill
Endless money forms the sinews of war.
Cicero, in Philippics
War is a series of catastrophes that results in a victory.
Georges Clemenceau
I think that people want peace so much that one of these days government had better get out of the way and let them have it.
Dwight D. Eisenhower, President, 1952-1960
There is nothing that war has ever achieved that we could not better achieve without it.
Henry Havelock Ellis
The essence of war is violence. Moderation in war is imbecility.
Sir John Fisher
There never was a good war or a bad peace.
Benjamin Franklin, 1773-9-11
Of course the people don't want war. But after all, it's the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger. It works the same way in any country.
Hermann Göring, Nazi leader, at Nuremberg trials
War usually starts with collective euphoria.
Chris Hedges, War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning, p. 84
The first panacea for a mismanaged nation is inflation of the currency; the second is war. Both bring a temporary prosperity; both bring a permanent ruin. But both are the refuge of political and economic opportunists.
Ernest Hemingway
I abhor war and view it as the greatest scourge of mankind.
Thomas Jefferson
Whackanomics
Whackanomics
by Dymphna
This post is dedicated to Larwyn, who is feeling as though the bottom has dropped out of things. Which it has. May this fable cheer her up and help her usually optimistic disposition return a little more quickly.
A regular lurker in Oklahoma recently emailed the following tale. When I wrote back to ask its origins, he didn’t know. A little googling led me to Doug Powers, who wrote it.
No doubt some of you will have read this already; it does appear to be going viral. As a tongue-in-cheek lesson in economics, it is one that Walter Williams, an ebullient economist who has made his profession anything but dismal, would enjoy.
Speaking of which, Mr. Williams must be shaking his head over the election. Unlike Colin Powell, Mr. Williams would never let his race - black - interfere with his good sense. He calls Obama’s fiscal policies "whackanomics" - sounds right to me.
Obama’s leaky plumbing
Barack Obama discovers a leak under his sink, so he calls Joe the Plumber to come and fix it.
Joe drives to Obama’s house, which is located in a very nice neighborhood and where it’s clear that all the residents make more than $250,000 per year.
Joe arrives and takes his tools into the house. Joe is led to the room that contains the leaky pipe under a sink. Joe assesses the problem and tells Obama, who is standing near the door, that it’s an easy repair that will take less than 10 minutes.
Obama asks Joe how much it will cost.
Joe immediately says, "$9,500."
$9,500?" Obama asks, stunned. "But you said it’s an easy repair!"
- - - - - - - - -
"Yes, but what I do is charge a lot more to my clients who make more than $250,000 per year so I can fix the plumbing of everybody who makes less than that for free," explains Joe. "It’s always been my philosophy. As a matter of fact, I lobbied government to pass this philosophy as law, and it did pass earlier this year, so now all plumbers have to do business this way. It’s known as ‘Joe’s Fair Plumbing Act of 2008.’ Surprised you haven’t heard of it, senator."
In spite of that, Obama tells Joe there’s no way he’s paying that much for a small plumbing repair, so Joe leaves.
Obama spends the next hour flipping through the phone book looking for another plumber, but he finds that all other plumbing businesses listed have gone out of business. Not wanting to pay Joe’s price, Obama does nothing.
The leak under Obama’s sink goes unrepaired for the next several days.
A week later the leak is so bad that Obama has had to put a bucket under the sink. The bucket fills up quickly and has to be emptied every hour, and there’s a risk that the room will flood, so Obama calls Joe and pleads with him to return.
Joe goes back to Obama’s house, looks at the leaky pipe, and says "Let’s see - this will cost you about $21,000."
"A few days ago you told me it would cost $9,500!" Obama quickly fires back.
Joe explains the reason for the dramatic increase. "Well, because of the ‘Joe’s Fair Plumbing Act,’ a lot of rich people are learning how to fix their own plumbing, so there are fewer of you paying for all the free plumbing I’m doing for the people who make less than $250,000. As a result, the rate I have to charge my wealthy paying customers rises every day.
"Not only that, but for some reason the demand for plumbing work from the group of people who get it for free has skyrocketed, and there’s a long waiting list of those who need repairs. This has put a lot of my fellow plumbers out of business, and they’re not being replaced - nobody is going into the plumbing business because they know they won’t make any money. I’m hurting now too - all thanks to greedy rich people like you who won’t pay their fair share."
Obama tries to straighten out the plumber: "Of course you’re hurting, Joe! Don’t you get it? If all the rich people learn how to fix their own plumbing and you refuse to charge the poorer people for your services, you’ll be broke, and then what will you do?"
Joe immediately replies, "Run for president, apparently."
See, now we have something to look forward to: Joe the Presidential Plumber.
Except that Mr. Powers, on his blog, cautions Joe:
All I can say before heading off to bed tonight is this: Joe the Plumber, enjoy your extensive audit.
I’d have said prior to this campagin that the Obamanas wouldn’t dare audit him, but after this election, I’d believe anything.
by Dymphna
This post is dedicated to Larwyn, who is feeling as though the bottom has dropped out of things. Which it has. May this fable cheer her up and help her usually optimistic disposition return a little more quickly.
A regular lurker in Oklahoma recently emailed the following tale. When I wrote back to ask its origins, he didn’t know. A little googling led me to Doug Powers, who wrote it.
No doubt some of you will have read this already; it does appear to be going viral. As a tongue-in-cheek lesson in economics, it is one that Walter Williams, an ebullient economist who has made his profession anything but dismal, would enjoy.
Speaking of which, Mr. Williams must be shaking his head over the election. Unlike Colin Powell, Mr. Williams would never let his race - black - interfere with his good sense. He calls Obama’s fiscal policies "whackanomics" - sounds right to me.
Obama’s leaky plumbing
Barack Obama discovers a leak under his sink, so he calls Joe the Plumber to come and fix it.
Joe drives to Obama’s house, which is located in a very nice neighborhood and where it’s clear that all the residents make more than $250,000 per year.
Joe arrives and takes his tools into the house. Joe is led to the room that contains the leaky pipe under a sink. Joe assesses the problem and tells Obama, who is standing near the door, that it’s an easy repair that will take less than 10 minutes.
Obama asks Joe how much it will cost.
Joe immediately says, "$9,500."
$9,500?" Obama asks, stunned. "But you said it’s an easy repair!"
- - - - - - - - -
"Yes, but what I do is charge a lot more to my clients who make more than $250,000 per year so I can fix the plumbing of everybody who makes less than that for free," explains Joe. "It’s always been my philosophy. As a matter of fact, I lobbied government to pass this philosophy as law, and it did pass earlier this year, so now all plumbers have to do business this way. It’s known as ‘Joe’s Fair Plumbing Act of 2008.’ Surprised you haven’t heard of it, senator."
In spite of that, Obama tells Joe there’s no way he’s paying that much for a small plumbing repair, so Joe leaves.
Obama spends the next hour flipping through the phone book looking for another plumber, but he finds that all other plumbing businesses listed have gone out of business. Not wanting to pay Joe’s price, Obama does nothing.
The leak under Obama’s sink goes unrepaired for the next several days.
A week later the leak is so bad that Obama has had to put a bucket under the sink. The bucket fills up quickly and has to be emptied every hour, and there’s a risk that the room will flood, so Obama calls Joe and pleads with him to return.
Joe goes back to Obama’s house, looks at the leaky pipe, and says "Let’s see - this will cost you about $21,000."
"A few days ago you told me it would cost $9,500!" Obama quickly fires back.
Joe explains the reason for the dramatic increase. "Well, because of the ‘Joe’s Fair Plumbing Act,’ a lot of rich people are learning how to fix their own plumbing, so there are fewer of you paying for all the free plumbing I’m doing for the people who make less than $250,000. As a result, the rate I have to charge my wealthy paying customers rises every day.
"Not only that, but for some reason the demand for plumbing work from the group of people who get it for free has skyrocketed, and there’s a long waiting list of those who need repairs. This has put a lot of my fellow plumbers out of business, and they’re not being replaced - nobody is going into the plumbing business because they know they won’t make any money. I’m hurting now too - all thanks to greedy rich people like you who won’t pay their fair share."
Obama tries to straighten out the plumber: "Of course you’re hurting, Joe! Don’t you get it? If all the rich people learn how to fix their own plumbing and you refuse to charge the poorer people for your services, you’ll be broke, and then what will you do?"
Joe immediately replies, "Run for president, apparently."
See, now we have something to look forward to: Joe the Presidential Plumber.
Except that Mr. Powers, on his blog, cautions Joe:
All I can say before heading off to bed tonight is this: Joe the Plumber, enjoy your extensive audit.
I’d have said prior to this campagin that the Obamanas wouldn’t dare audit him, but after this election, I’d believe anything.
Heaven help us, or there will be War in America
There is no winner, we are all losers in a corrupt system, where only criminals, and traitors can be elected president.
While I would not want to see a civil war in America, I would also not be surprised if America witnessed a new revolution, or a civil war in this coming year. When the Republicans and Democrats attempt to use force against people who say “enough is enough”. All the same, the Republicans and Democrats have paved the way for the demise of America with their behaviour. I am also in agreement that voluntary association as well as the right to self-determination is as American as the apple pie. Have you tried to buy a bag of rice lately?
The food riots are coming sooner than you think.
While I would not want to see a civil war in America, I would also not be surprised if America witnessed a new revolution, or a civil war in this coming year. When the Republicans and Democrats attempt to use force against people who say “enough is enough”. All the same, the Republicans and Democrats have paved the way for the demise of America with their behaviour. I am also in agreement that voluntary association as well as the right to self-determination is as American as the apple pie. Have you tried to buy a bag of rice lately?
The food riots are coming sooner than you think.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
We Are Family
The proper function of man is to entertain women, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to avoid them. I shall use my hands.
~ Da Keeper ~
In the past 20 years I was home for Halloween maybe twice, most times I was at a party, with some blond, or I was at work. This time I wanted to really put on the dog for all the little spooks and goblins. I had 8 pounds of apples, 6 pounds of candy, fireworks, and chicken embryos with assorted caned consumables. but all was too quiet up on the hill. the town down below was giving a party for the kids. I got only two of the little devils, one 3, dressed as a pirate and the other about 4 years old dressed as a robot. I crammed all the candy I could into their small bags. I was so disappointed, I wish I had kids myself.
"Hit the Road, Jack!"
Ladies Night Live - Kool & the Gang
Funkytown
Puttin on the Ritz
Downtown
Born to be alive
Right here waiting for you.
It must have been love
Holding Out For A Hero.
Men, there is no great mystery to women. They are women, and we are expendable. I know the disk jockeys killed this song by playing it too much, but I still like it. Always a Woman To Me. It reminds me of someone.
~ Da Keeper ~
In the past 20 years I was home for Halloween maybe twice, most times I was at a party, with some blond, or I was at work. This time I wanted to really put on the dog for all the little spooks and goblins. I had 8 pounds of apples, 6 pounds of candy, fireworks, and chicken embryos with assorted caned consumables. but all was too quiet up on the hill. the town down below was giving a party for the kids. I got only two of the little devils, one 3, dressed as a pirate and the other about 4 years old dressed as a robot. I crammed all the candy I could into their small bags. I was so disappointed, I wish I had kids myself.
"Hit the Road, Jack!"
Ladies Night Live - Kool & the Gang
Funkytown
Puttin on the Ritz
Downtown
Born to be alive
Right here waiting for you.
It must have been love
Holding Out For A Hero.
Men, there is no great mystery to women. They are women, and we are expendable. I know the disk jockeys killed this song by playing it too much, but I still like it. Always a Woman To Me. It reminds me of someone.
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