Holiday Reading

Thanks for the "it could be worse" perspective. Every time my despondency concerning current events surges I try to place it into historical perspective. Despite the efforts of the authorities at market destruction and economic degeneration, I still cannot help but consider myself extraordinarily fortunate to have been born into the wealthiest, most prosperous environment that human history has ever known. Indeed, it could be worse...

I dunno, we are building up to surge in Afghanistan. This century might be able to top the last one!

Men with the power to decide the fate of Europe did the things that brought the war on and failed to do the things that might have kept the war from happening. They told lies, made mistakes, and missed opportunities. With few if any exceptions they were decent, well-intended men, and almost always they acted for what they thought were the best of reasons. But little of what they did produced the results they intended.

Argonne. I just have to remember that little skirmish to stay in perspective. I don't think the retelling of any battle has had a stronger personal impact. 300,000 French died in a two mile stretch of trench in under a month. All participants pretty much died to a man. The despair they must have felt, the human capital lost.

But my 401K!

My wife says that I will be a success if my daughter never becomes a pole dancer.