All Glory is Fleeting

It is said that General George S. Patton often told a story of Roman Triumphs to convey a prophetic warning about the fleeting nature of glory.

The story goes: For thousands of years, Roman conquerors were honored, upon return from victories in foreign lands, with a triumph—a ceremonial parade through the streets of the city. The glorious spectacle was not merely intended as an honor for the victor, but also to celebrate the tremendous power of Rome and its people. The procession was led by the soldiers of the victorious army followed by many subjugated enemy warriors—often bloodied and in chains. Behind them rode the revered leader in a magnificently adorned chariot. Standing in the chariot, behind the conquering hero was one captive usually dressed in a white tunic, continuously whispering in the exultant hero’s ear: “Sic transit gloria mundi,” quite literally “Thus passes the glory of the world.” A sobering reminder that the magnificent sensation of victory cannot last.

Perhaps these words should also serve a warning to those who believe that American world dominance is ever-lasting.

Ghost Fleet, by P.W. Singer and August Cole, was released at the end of June and it should immediately be placed at the top of all military and national security policymaker’s reading lists. While the reviews of this novel are widely available online (a couple of links below), I won’t deliver any destructive spoilers if you haven’t read it yet.


Reviews and Press:
Interview from The Economist
Review from The Diplomat
Review from Foreign Policy

Using the customary comprehensive technology appreciation exhibited in Wired for War, Singer and Cole tell the story of the next world war where once again the lack of imagination that plagued pre-9/11 US defense experts brings dramatic consequences.

Get it, read it, think seriously about its warning—all glory is fleeting.

Sic transit gloria mundi.

The Horror, the horror...

In Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, we're introduced to Mr. Kurtz, a dark, demented ivory trader who has lost his mind and 'gone native'--committing unspeakable acts, while he exploits the native population. Hooray for colonialism!

But, simply saying that Kurtz has become a savage and implying that all African tribesman act this way, is unfair and really quite racist, since he is obviously embodying the worst of Africa, not the ordinary.

See: Racism in the Heart of Darkness

In Coppola's Apocalypse Now, a film set in Vietnam and based on Conrad's book, General Corman sums up what war has done to Colonel Kurtz. Corman said, 

“In this war, things get confused out there—power, ideals, the old morality, and practical military necessity . . . because there’s a conflict in every human heart between the rational and the irrational, between good and evil. And good does not always triumph.”

Here Corman blames Kurtz's actions on the environmental effects that war has on the human soul and psyche. But, is there really a good vs. evil conflict in each of us? This is a truly dark and terrible thing to think about, but perhaps its enlightening in lieu of the actions of humanities worst.

Coppola tries to get at the root of what Conrad introduced as 'the horror' through the film's antagonist Colonel Kurtz. And I think Marlon Brando, who plays Kurtz, provides a outstanding performance, which helps explain the heart of darkness. He distills his actions down to the essence of wartime necessity--that judgement defeats us if we let it, so we must overcome it and do what's necessary to win.

Here's some audio from the movie--Brando at his best:




I, for one, disagree and hope that our judgement brings us victory in this life not defeat. But, perhaps I'm just a starry-eyed dreamer. 

No matter what, I still feel, that how we win matters.

Podcast Test

In today's post I'm testing embedding Podcasts...

So here you go...enjoy a good song.

Worst Day Ever?

I saw this and thought it was pretty clever...
Enjoy!


---------------------------------------------------------------

Worst Day Ever?

Today was the absolute worst day ever.

And don't try to convince me that
There's something good in every day
Because, when you take a closer look,
This world is a pretty evil place.
Even if
Some goodness does shine through once in a while
Satisfaction and happiness don't last.
And it's not true that
It's all in the mind and heart
Because
True happiness can be attained
Only if one's surroundings are good
It's not true that good exists
I'm sure you can agree that
The reality
Creates
My attitude
It's all beyond my control
And you'll never in a million years hear me say
Today was a very good day.


Now read it from bottom to top, the other way,
And see what I really feel about my day.

--Chanie Gorkin

Strategy

Strategy is artful design driven by observation and reflection—formulating ways to improve position based on perceived opportunities and threats.

All conflict is comparison.

Precise comparison requires analytical skill and mindfulness.

Analytic skill requires study and practice—it enables enhanced observation.

Superior observation delivers awareness of self and environment.

Awareness pinpoints opportunities and threats—enabling action and producing leverage.

Leverage leads to success in conflict. 

Other ideas: http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/CGSC/events/sams/ArtofDesign_v2.pdf

It Begins with Peace in the Heart

If there is to be peace in the world,
There must be peace in the nations.

If there is to be peace in the nations,
There must be peace in the cities.

If there is to be peace in the cities,
There must be peace between neighbors.

If there is to be peace between neighbors,
There must be peace in the home.

If there is to be peace in the home,
There must be peace in the heart.

-- Lao Tzu

The Question

So a conversation with a cherished long-time friend this morning sparked a little metaphysical reflection...

Why are we here? 

Are we here to discover our true selves? 

Are we here to help others discover who they really are? 

Are we here to remember things our souls have long forgotten? 

Are we here to choose sides in some biblical battle of good versus evil? 

Are we really spiritual beings having a human experience and not human beings have a spiritual experience as Pierre Teilhard De Chardin suggests?

Are we here to ask these questions of ourselves or accept the answers presented by others?



More questions to ponder:
http://www.livereal.com/spiritual_arena/why_are_we_here.htm