Two More from Travailles

Greetings from Travailles

Tim handed me 6 photos from his parents that they thought we'd enjoy. This first one is a test of my new high speed connection. I'm not going to reduce this, as I usually do, to less than 100 mb. I'm just going to send it as is and see what happens.

Are We Rome?

I recently read an interesting, well written book comparing ancient Rome at it's height to modern America. If you google 'Are We Rome' you will find many links to reviews etc. It was interesting to read about Rome's history and see the parallels that we are repeating today. Below is an exerpt from a review on Amazon.com written by Daniel B. Clendenin: (i made the bold words)
"After a short prologue, Murphy devotes one chapter each to six parallels of "direct relevance" between ancient Rome and modern America. Both empires exhibit the symptoms of solipsism-- an exaggerated self-identity, the isolating effects of exceptionalism, ignorance of others, the presumptions of privilege, and sheer arrogance. Militarism characterizes both societies. Today America has 700 bases in 60 countries, and in any one year will conduct "operations" of some sort in 170 countries. Murphy suggests that our military is both "too large to be affordable, and too small to do everything it is asked to do." He then turns to how America has blurred the distinctions between the private and public (government) sectors, "the deflection of public purpose by private interest." Outsourcing government responsibilities might be effective and even necessary, but selling the public good for private profit isn't. The fourth parallel between Rome and America is the disdain with which both view outsiders ("barbarians") as inferior. Fifth, Murphy explores the complex notion of borders, both literal (eg, immigration) and figurative. Finally, in his epilogue he examines the "inherent complexity" of large empires like Rome and America. Are they ungovernable?"
An interesting observation was made in the epilogue that the 'fall' was really not noticeable until decades after it happened. Finding the peak of an empire is much harder to find than say the peak of a stock price. Many aspects of the Roman empire carried on even centuries after it's apex. After reading this book i wonder has America reached it's peak already? What can we do as a nation and as individuals to improve life in this country and the world? Murphy talks about his book if you click here.

Mighty Casey Has Struck Out!

Alas, for Paul and Faith and all their kids and the people of Roseau and all the people living in north western Minnesota and everybody in the world who likes to cheer for the little guy. The undefeated Roseau hockey team, tiny in size but mighty in spirit, the team the experts thought would win it all handily, met its tragic fate and got trounced by Hill Murray. What was it. . .the semi finals? So don't expect to hear anything from Paul for many a day. He is, I'm sure, numb and paralyzed with grief.