[Rhodes22-list] The Irony of War (Political)

[Herb Parsons]

Actually, I'm not working for the group anymore. They had to cut way 
back on their level of operations. The owner still contacts me every 3-4 
months and asks me if I'm still interested in doing work for them. I 
tell him yes, let's see what works out, and he goes away. Don't know if 
he's got me on a list of people to contact and just forgets how 
cantankerous I can be, or if he thinks something's going to work out 
that just doesn't. Either way, I'm fine with what comes down the road.

I'm glad Gustav passed NO this time, but I think it's a mixed blessing. 
I was there when it was time to evacuate for Katrina, and the attitude 
among many RE the "mandatory evacuation" was "we've heard it before, 
we'll hear it again, nothing's going to happen".

Ooops

So, because memories were still fresh, this time most folks took the 
notice seriously. A lot of them will return and begin the thought 
process of "that was all for nothing". I suspect 2 or 3 more 
evacuations, and the city will be back to were it was in 2005 in many ways.

Chris Geankoplis wrote:
> Thanks Herb,
>         How's the "Duk"?  Doesn't sound like you need to play with it with
> Gustav.
> Chris
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Herb Parsons" <hparsons at parsonsys.com>
> To: "The Rhodes 22 Email List" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> Sent: Monday, September 01, 2008 3:08 PM
> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] The Irony of War (Political)
>
>
>   
>> Just to be completely transparent, I meant to write that I got this in
>> an email, and I believe it was originally from Business Weekly. I'm not
>> good enough to write something like that.
>>
>> I got fooled by it too!
>>
>> Chris Geankoplis wrote:
>>     
>>> Good one!
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: "Herb Parsons" <hparsons at parsonsys.com>
>>> To: "The Rhodes 22 Email List" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>>> Sent: Monday, September 01, 2008 10:28 AM
>>> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] The Irony of War (Political)
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>       
>>>> No one likes war. War is a horrific affair, bloody and expensive.
>>>> Sending our men and women into battle to perhaps die or be maimed is an
>>>> unconscionable thought.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Yet some wars need to be waged, and someone needs to lead. The
>>>>         
> citizenry
>   
>>>> and Congress are often ambivalent or largely opposed to any given war.
>>>> It's up to our leader to convince them. That's why we call the leader
>>>> 'Commander in Chief.'
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> George W.'s war was no different. There was lots of resistance to it.
>>>> Many in Congress were vehemently against the idea. The Commander in
>>>> Chief had to lobby for legislative approval.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Along with supporters, George W. used the force of his convictions, the
>>>> power of his title and every ounce of moral suasion he could muster to
>>>> rally support. He had to assure Congress and the public that the war
>>>>         
> was
>   
>>>> morally justified, winnable and affordable. Congress eventually came
>>>> around and voted overwhelmingly to wage war.
>>>>
>>>> George W. then lobbied foreign governments for support.  But in the
>>>>         
> end,
>   
>>>> only one European nation helped us. The rest of the world sat on its
>>>> hands and watched.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> After a few quick victories, things started to go bad. There were many
>>>> dark days when all the news was discouraging. Casualties began to
>>>>         
> mount.
>   
>>>> It became obvious that our forces were too small. Congress began to
>>>>         
> drag
>   
>>>> its feet about funding the effort.
>>>>
>>>> Many who had voted to support the war just a few years earlier were
>>>> beginning to speak against it and accuse the Commander in Chief of
>>>> misleading them. Many critics began to call him incompetent, an idiot
>>>> and even a liar. Journalists joined the negative chorus with a
>>>>         
> vengeance.
>   
>>>> As the war entered its fourth year, the public began to grow weary of
>>>> the conflict and the casualties. George W.'s popularity plummeted. Yet
>>>> through it all, he stood firm, supporting the troops and endorsing the
>>>> struggle.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Without his unwavering support, the war would have surely ended, then
>>>> and there, in overwhelming and total defeat.
>>>> At this darkest of times, he began to make some changes. More troops
>>>> were added and trained. Some advisers were shuffled, and new generals
>>>> installed.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Then, unexpectedly and gradually, things began to improve. Now it was
>>>> the enemy that appeared to be growing weary of the lengthy conflict and
>>>> losing support. Victories began to come, and hope returned.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Many critics in Congress and the press said the improvements were just
>>>> George W.'s good luck. The progress, they said, would be temporary. He
>>>> knew, however, that in warfare good fortune counts.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Then, in the unlikeliest of circumstances and perhaps the most historic
>>>> example of military luck, the enemy blundered and was resoundingly
>>>> defeated. After six long years of war, the Commander in Chief basked in
>>>> a most hard-fought victory.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> So on that historic day, Oct. 19, 1781, in a place called Yorktown , a
>>>> satisfied George Washington sat upon his beautiful white horse and
>>>> accepted the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, effectively ending
>>>> the Revolutionary War.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> What?   Were you thinking of someone else?
>>>>
>>>> __________________________________________________
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>>>
>>>       
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>>>>
>>>>
>>>>         
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