Good morning all!

54 days, Tigerman! Man, you are going to get so strung out!

Congrats to both you!



Oceans

Good morning, all!

Alas, history is replete with ego, and not just American history. But
History also has genuine heroes: thoughtful, careful, knowledgeable
leaders who put the interests of people ahead of their own.

I think in some ways the parallels are there.

American 'leaders' are so desperate to avoid 'losing' that they will
continue policies that slaughter our own soldiers before they will admit
it. Custer simply got whipped. Compared to Iraq, not many Americans
died. (Of course, this ignores the greater damage, the harm done to the
Sioux and the Iraqis by our presence.)

We won't be defeated as neatly in Iraq, our massive advantage in
firepower virtually assures that. I think it will be more like Viet Nam.
We can expect in the coming months that US troops in Iraq will take a
pounding, while the generals whine about not having enough men, and the
politicians strut about saying they are damned if they will preside over
defeat.

Iraq is nothing but ego, now.

Good morning, everyone!

Good morning, Whisper. Good to see you back in the fray!


Oceans

Ron, Hiker, very pointed points....

It is interesting how soldiers can go into suicidal situations, and only
ask for the admiration of the folks back home.

Mogadishu, another fascinating example of hubris and demonization of the
enemy.

Oceans

Morning, Alex!

Tis 0813 here.

Time for coffee and a croissant....

I am having an impossible time figuring out which are Rumi, and which
are you, and which are a combination...

Good morning, Andrea!

Morning, Kid, JJ!

It was a nice mini-sabbatical -- a lot of reading and writing, perfect
weather. It is refreshing to take some time away from the 'normal' daily
stream of stuff that demands every moment's attention, refreshing and
productive.

I come back always wondering whether I am living my life correctly.
Alex's Rumi poems have the same effect on me.

Good morning, everyone!

Why after readings these wonderful poems I feel that I have already had
my sweet morning shower?

Good morning, everyone!

I would very much like to visit the memorial someday. Does the memorial
also cover the individual Sioux who died there?

I GPSed my way to the location of the Sand Creek Massacre a few months
ago, and found no memorial at all to those who were massacred.

Part of Custer's arrogance seems to be one that many commanders and
their troops have shared: a disdain for "the Enemy". Some soldiers
become convinced that God is on their side, and that the enemy is
"evil", and thus fail completely to understand the motives, will, and
capacity of "the enemy". They make major tactical and strategic mistakes
as a consequence, and oddly, only seem to dig themselves a deeper hole
when they run into any information that might instead suggest an
intelligent "enemy" fighting for a just cause.

This must be some special form of insanity.



Oceans

To both, may you again come together.

On this day in 1876, Custer was defeated by the Sioux at the battle of
the Little Big Horn.

How and why do you think the defeat happened?

So, how do you feel about it?

Oceans

Good one, Gardenforge.

But I know you inserted the name Nancy Pelosi where it originally said
George Bush Jr!




Oceans

Alex! Andrea!

Good morning, friends.

Hanging out at the marina, reading, writing, swimming, feeling the
breeze cool the day's heat, music, halyards slapping at the masts, glass
of wine...

Have a great evening, everyone!



Oceans

Not upside-down, backwards!

Oceans

Whisper posted a sad and worrisome poem yesterday and then deactivated,
and as far as I know hasn't been heard from since. There is reason to be
concerned.

Hoping that she can sense the concern and love and find her way back.



Oceans

Good morning, everyone!



Oceans

Ouch...can such magnanimity be really possible?

Well proposed, Jonathon!


Oceans