Churchill's Lessons of History

I had unsubscribed but decided to come back. I'm not going to engage
in flame wars. I noted more than a few replies to my thead; I posted
it as a clever joke. I'm not the only one who thinks Romney is
evasive about how he's going to pay for all the money problems our
nation has. I'm an ordinary citizen, and I want what is best for all
of us.

Anyway, being a Brit, I have always admired Churchill, and I know some
of you will be interested in his "Lessons of History".

Read and heed:

1. Despite the importance of doing so, we do not learn from history.

2. Science and technology cannot immunize us from history's lessons.

3. Freedom, which Americans believe is longed for by people
worldwide, is not a globally shared value. By contrast, desire for
power, whether wielded as a despot, or as a benevolent empire or
superpower, is a universal value.

4. Known as the cradle of civilization, the Middle East has also been
the graveyard of empires, no matter what their intention, as the
Romans and so many others have learned.

5. America will experience the same ultimate destiny as the memorable
democracies, republics, and superpowers of the past.

6. Religion and spirituality—and the lust for power—are the most
profound motivators in history.

7. Nations and empires rise and fall not because of anonymous social
and economic forces but because of decisions made by individuals.

8. A true statesman possesses four qualities: a bedrock of
principles, a moral compass, a vision, and the ability to build
consensus to achieve that vision.

BTW, Churchill loved cats:

http://www.winstonchurchill.org/supp...line-menagerie

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Mack A. Damia wrote:
I had unsubscribed but decided to come back. I'm not going to engage
in flame wars.....

How the hell can you avoid them? If I post that 2 + 2 = 4 on this forum,
there will appear some ass hole who gives me an argument about it.

On Sun, 28 Oct 2012 23:34:19 -0700, "Bill Graham"
wrote:

Mack A. Damia wrote:
I had unsubscribed but decided to come back. I'm not going to engage
in flame wars.....

How the hell can you avoid them? If I post that 2 + 2 = 4 on this forum,
there will appear some ass hole who gives me an argument about it.

Nah, it's the name-calling and descent into personal attacks that I
want to avoid. Somebody insults me personally, then I will insult
them, because they are not worth a rational debate. Just my personal
feelings; I know there are those that thrive on flame wars, and
depending on the group, I might participate if I get disgusted enough.

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Mack A. Damia wrote:
On Sun, 28 Oct 2012 23:34:19 -0700, "Bill Graham"
wrote:

Mack A. Damia wrote:
I had unsubscribed but decided to come back. I'm not going to
engage in flame wars.....

How the hell can you avoid them? If I post that 2 + 2 = 4 on this
forum, there will appear some ass hole who gives me an argument
about it.

Nah, it's the name-calling and descent into personal attacks that I
want to avoid. Somebody insults me personally, then I will insult
them, because they are not worth a rational debate. Just my personal
feelings; I know there are those that thrive on flame wars, and
depending on the group, I might participate if I get disgusted enough.

In the long run, it is a waste of time. No one has ever been convinced of
anything by being insulted. If you are trying to conmvince someone that your
point of vies is valid, only continue to do so with rational arguments.
Beyoned that, you are much better off just terminating the discussion and
pick up some other subject to discuss with someone else. I sit here and try
to give people the knowlege I have picked up during my 77 years of living.
But if they don't want to learn anything from me, there is no reason why I
should waste my time with them. Certainly screaming, "YOU IDIOT!!" at them
can't accomplish any purpose whatsoever. Far better to just state what you
have to say, and then bow out.