tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29288450731693008182024-02-18T20:29:03.906-08:00Landon AndersonLandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05317608633112978891noreply@blogger.comBlogger390125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2928845073169300818.post-52081162744248813352012-10-11T15:34:00.000-07:002012-10-11T15:35:37.201-07:00The Boys' First Day of SchoolWell, Kellen still gets to stay home with mom,
but Trenton is now officially an all-day student in first grade
and Sawyer has just started the journey with two days a week in preschool.
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</div>Landonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05317608633112978891noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2928845073169300818.post-78977405651121487672012-08-11T10:50:00.002-07:002012-08-11T10:50:46.337-07:00Bread & Butter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>"The victory of human kind over Nature is not that of brute force alone, but also that of of spirit." -Roald Amundsen</i></div>
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<i>To the perennial question, why go to the Pole? he [Amundsen] once memorably replied: "Small minds have only room for bread and butter."</i></div>
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Roland Huntford, <i>The Last Place on Earth</i>, (New York: Random House, 1999), 532.<br />
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2012 has provided us with a plethora of examples of men & women striving for goals that are far bigger than the ordinary dreams of most of us. Mitt Romney & Barack Obama <a href="http://2012.presidential-candidates.org/">seek the White House</a> in a time of economic uncertainty and unrest in America. Michael Phelps, Missy Franklin, Usain Bolt, and countless other athletes have sought glory and honor in the <a href="http://www.london2012.com/">Olympic games</a>. Queen Elizabeth II became only the second Monarch to reach her <a href="http://www.thediamondjubilee.org/">Diamond Jubilee</a> in terms of length of service. And recently, NASA's <i><a href="http://curiosity.discovery.com/">Curiosity</a></i> touched down on Mars hoping to discover a wealth of new information. All of these events will cement the legacies of these people for years to come. For me, it is easy to become wrapped up in the accomplishments of the 'great' allowing me to experience, even at a distance, the wonder of truly doing something amazing.<br />
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Recently I wrapped up Roland Huntford's stellar masterpiece <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Place-Earth-Modern-Library-Exploration/dp/0375754741/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344706125&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Last+Place+on+Earth">The Last Place on Earth</a> about the race to the South Pole between Roald Amundsen & Robert Falcon Scott. The comparisons of the choices, visions, and decisions made by those two legendary explorers are absolutely riveting. Each of them reached for the ultimate goal of getting to the last place on Earth not touched by the foot of man. In our current era it is easy to lose sight of the significance of this since we are quite able to go "anywhere" with ease and comfort. The unknown in many ways has already been accomplished for us. As a result, we can do far more things & many of us face far less challenges in getting them done.<br />
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Despite this, though, the dream of Amundsen (in particular to Scott) remains quite challenging to me in terms of the scope of his vision & spirit to accomplish it. It took tremendous courage & tenacity for him to get to the Pole. Many people did not see the need or reason to even do it. It took more than the right materials, money for expenses, and planning to pull it off (although as was clearly seen in the story - all of those were crucial). What it took was spirit & will to attain the seemingly impossible in a world of unknowns. I admire his answer to those questioning him why go to the Pole - "small minds have only room for bread and butter." Ordinary thinking & dreaming would have never thought to even tread close to it or even worse would have simply dreamed but never stepped forward to accomplish anything. In our current era of big goals & accomplishments, we must remember that none of them were achieved by people with "bread and butter" mindsets & spirits. Our minds & spirits must be stretched to move us beyond the possible so that by walking in the unknown we just might do something bigger than we ever could have hoped for. Stop living in the shadow of others doing great things - step forward & succeed in doing something incredible yourself.Landonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05317608633112978891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2928845073169300818.post-22510475576271972552012-06-06T20:21:00.002-07:002012-06-06T20:22:10.327-07:00Favorite Quotes from The Island of Dr. Moreau<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<ul>
<li><i>My days I devote to reading and to experiments in chemistry, and I spend many of the clear nights in the study of astronomy. There is - though I don't know how there is or why there is - a sense of infinite peace and protection in the glittering hosts of heaven. There it must be, I think, in the vast and eternal laws of matter, and not in the daily cares and sins and troubles of men, that whatever is more than animal within us must find its solace and its hope. I hope, or I could not live.</i> Kindle Location 1633-39</li>
<li><i>Very much indeed of what we call moral education, he said, is such an artificial modification and perversion of instinct; pugnacity is trained into courageous self-sacrifice, and suppressed sexuality into religious emotion. </i>Kindle Location 849-50</li>
<li><i>I say I became habituated to the Beast People, that a thousand things which had seemed unnatural and repulsive speedily became natural and ordinary to me. I suppose everything in existence takes its colour from the average hue of our surroundings.</i> Kindle Location 1010-12</li>
<li><i>I must confess that I lost faith in the sanity of the world when I saw it suffering the painful disorder of this island. A blind Fate, a vast pitiless Mechanism, seemed to cut and shape the fabric of existence and I, Moreau (by his passion for research), Montgomery (by his passion for drink), the Beast People with their instincts and mental restrictions, were torn and crushed, ruthlessly, inevitably, amid the infinite complexity of its incessant wheels</i>. Kindle Location 1173-76</li>
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H.G. Wells, <i>The Island of Dr. Moreau</i>, (New York: Modern Library, 1996), Kindle DX.<br />
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<br />Landonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05317608633112978891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2928845073169300818.post-66725807713815641102012-03-04T18:48:00.003-08:002012-03-04T20:15:09.720-08:00What if Jesus Never Cured Anyone?<span ><span style="font-size: 100%;">...the leper (Mark 1:40-44) who met Jesus had both a disease (say, psoriasis) and an illness, the personal and social stigma of uncleanness, isolation, and rejection. And as long as the disease stayed or got worse, the illness also would stay or get worse. In general, if the disease went, the illness went with it. What, however, if the disease could not be cured but the illness could somehow be healed?</span></span><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; ">This is the central problem of what Jesus was doing in his healing miracles. Was he curing the disease through an intervention in the physical world, or was he healing the illness through an intervention in the social world? I presume that Jesus, who did not and could not cure that disease or any other one, healed the poor man's illness by refusing to accept the disease's ritual uncleanness and social ostracization. Jesus thereby forced others either to reject him from their community or to accept the leper within it as well. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">John Dominic Crossan, <i>Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography</i>, (New York: Harper Collins, 1994), 82.<blockquote></blockquote><span style="font-size: 100%; ">What if Jesus never cured anyone? What if the gospel writers embellished on the idea of people being cured of their diseases upon meeting Christ? At first glance, it seems highly blasphemous to even consider the thought. The gospels are loaded with examples and I have spent my entire church life hearing & believing that people were </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">miraculously healed. What mattered was that the "blind see, lame walk, the </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">leprous are cured, the deaf hear..." And yet - was that even close to what truly mattered to the heart of Jesus? And has that thinking led the modern church to become lazy & focused on the wrong type of prayer & approach for/to a hurting world?</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >I believe Jesus cared far more about the social world than we often see or want to believe in our modern world. Rather than following Him, though, the church & its followers have made the focus about the physical world. We worry about things & attempt to take care of things to impact the physical world around us (or if we are really spiritual - the physical world across the globe from our locations). Raising money, donating food items, helping with medical supplies, giving clean water, donating clothes, etc. The point is not that these are bad steps to take. In fact, they are often very useful & extremely helpful. The problem is that they merely take care of the tip of the iceberg of the human problem. I can clothe a poor man. I can feed that poor man. I can help that poor man get medical care. I can even get that poor man a job. But the problem remains that to me he remains "that poor man" instead of who he actually is as a child of God. </span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >The social world is a far more difficult problem because it forces us to expand our communities & deal with social stigmas that all of us have worked together to create. We can't merely throw money & a quick photo opp at social problems and expect them to go away. We certainly feel better when we give the homeless person a meal through the window of our car. What the homeless person could use, though, would be a meal at our dining room tables. The social trumps the physical, in other words. Jesus sought to heal the illnesses of people - the conditions that prevented them from being part of the established society. Who cares if they could walk, see, hear or feel clean skin again? What mattered more was feeling the importance of being wanted, included & a part of something larger than themselves. </span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >We must stop reading the Bible to see what we want to see. Jesus never focused on the physical problem. It was never the issue for Him. He always went much deeper - striking at the heart of the predicament. He healed illnesses by not allowing social boundaries to prevent relationships from developing. What if Christians decided to take that same step of depth? What if we stopped throwing money & supplies at physical problems and started worrying about how we might make a dent in the social ones? If we did, we might stop making people statistics that need "x amount of this" and "y amount of that" in order to live and instead help people actually feel loved. Now that would truly be Christlike. </span></div>Landonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05317608633112978891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2928845073169300818.post-27894853706474399962012-02-24T16:57:00.002-08:002012-02-24T17:03:21.505-08:00Probability<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'lucida grande'; font-size: 100%; ">Trying to find the actual Jesus is like trying, in atomic physics, to locate a submicroscopic particle and determine its charge. The particle cannot be seen directly, but on a photographic plate we see the lines left by the trajectories of larger particles it put in motion. By tracing these trajectories back to their common origin, and by calculating the force necessary to make these trajectories move as they did, we can locate and describe the invisible cause. Admittedly, history is more complex than physics; the lines connecting the original figure to the developed legends cannot be traced with mathematical accuracy; the intervention of unknown factors has to be allowed for. Consequently, results can never claim more than probability; but "probability," as Bishop Butler said, "is the very guide of life." </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span >Morton Smith, <i>Jesus the Magician</i> (San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1982)</span></div>Landonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05317608633112978891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2928845073169300818.post-61642525060926493362012-01-20T11:31:00.000-08:002012-01-20T11:33:06.425-08:00People<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: -webkit-auto; ">Look at your life and see how you have filled emptiness with people. As a result they have a stranglehold on you. See how they control your behavior by their approval and disapproval. They hold the power to ease your loneliness with their company, to send your spirits soaring with their praise, to bring you down to the depths with their criticism and rejection. Take a look at yourself spending almost every waking moment of your day placating and pleasing people, whether they are living or dead. You live by their norms, conform to their standards, seek their company, desire their love, dread their ridicule, long for their applause, meekly submit to the guilt they lay upon you; you are terrified to go against the fashion in the way you dress or speak or act or even think. And observe how even when you control them you depend on them and are enslaved by them. People have become so much a part of your being that you cannot even imagine living a life that is unaffected or uncontrolled by them. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Anthony DeMello, </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-style: italic; ">The Way to Love</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> (New York: Doubleday, 1991), 64. </span> </div>Landonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05317608633112978891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2928845073169300818.post-41981065977450245102012-01-06T17:30:00.000-08:002012-01-06T18:31:03.196-08:00Tranformation<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisC9dPDo_wOxzwKpvkj7jf1Qvm3wJpSGc_446zr3Hx5aa4Iw0Nd_3KBE4NlP4r_waXPAoeNaAokvWlQNjfYnK3xni997ASLKrJqATbDR48phuP1nC8x6xA-ThnYrOhSLhEd-H-MGBg1cw/s1600/MP.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 291px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisC9dPDo_wOxzwKpvkj7jf1Qvm3wJpSGc_446zr3Hx5aa4Iw0Nd_3KBE4NlP4r_waXPAoeNaAokvWlQNjfYnK3xni997ASLKrJqATbDR48phuP1nC8x6xA-ThnYrOhSLhEd-H-MGBg1cw/s320/MP.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694698362932940162" /></a>Robert was beginning a new life. As the director of a weapons laboratory that would integrate the diverse efforts of the far-flung sites of the Manhattan Project and mold them quickly into a usable atomic weapon, he would have to conjure up skills he did not yet have, deal with problems he had never imagined, develop work habits entirely at odds with his previous lifestyle, and adjust to attitudes and modes of behavior (such as security considerations) that were emotionally awkward and alien to his experience. It is not too much of an exaggeration to suggest that in order to succeed, at age thirty-nine, Robert Oppenheimer would have to remake a significant part of his personality if not his intellect, and he was going to have to do all this in short order. Every aspect of his new job was on a fast-track schedule. Very few things - including Oppenheimer's transformation - could meet that impossible schedule; yet it is a measure of his commitment and willpower that he came very close.<div>Kai Bird & Martin J. Sherwin, <i>American Prometheus</i>, (New York: Vintage Books, 2005), 205.<blockquote></blockquote>There were few things that changed & impacted life in the 1940s more than the work designed and developed in the so-called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhattan_Project"><span >Manhattan Project</span></a>. Not only was the impact felt in the enormous cost and amount of man-hours poured into the development of the atomic bomb, but in the obliteration of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_bombings_of_Hiroshima_and_Nagasaki"><span >two Japanese cities</span></a> and the ushering in of the nuclear weapons era. For Robert Oppenheimer, it was the opportunity of a lifetime - one that would dramatically increase his social stature while simultaneously leaving an imprint upon his soul. However, before he reached the point of his personal battle in his contributions to a legacy of death, he faced a the challenge of leading something he was fully incapable of leading outside of his superior intellect. </div><div><br /></div><div>That he succeeded, there can be no doubt. The bomb(s) was built and the cities in Japan were destroyed. The situation elevated the power of the United States while exploding the tension that would brew the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_War"><span >Cold War</span></a>. His leadership helped bridge the gap on questions, talents and personalities that all needed to be figured out in order for success to be found. He discovered administrative skills and work abilities that prior to the 40s had been either dormant or non-existent within himself. And he did it all while having the military, FBI and US government consistently watching, observing and looking for ways to trap him in a mistake. The pressure he must have felt cannot be explained or even imagined. Yet it is in that moment that all of the potential & ability of Oppenheimer was on display for (soon) the world to see. </div><div><br /></div><div>So where does that leave us? Many of us will never face a situation even remotely close to that of directing the activities of the Manhattan Project. However, I would argue that we have much to gain from what Oppenheimer put on display. The first is found in his commitment and willpower. I face challenges on a daily basis: upset parents, lazy students, high educational standards, a family that needs time/attention, personal desires, previous commitments, and a variety of other lesser pulls upon my time, energy and resources. When pushed to the breaking point, it is easy to see why quitting is such an attractive offer for so many people. These are the moments when willpower & commitment are severely tested. Seeing my way through - even halfway successfully - is determined by how much I am willing to fight for it. It requires training, control, and steadfast refusal to give up. In the end, it was the daily showing up that made Oppenheimer so successful. Perhaps, the same could be said for myself in all that I face. </div><div><br /></div><div>Reinvention. Its a popular topic for self-help gurus and yet at its core is the challenge to be willing to become someone you either currently aren't or quite possibly never have been before. Its the replacement of poor habits, development of new skills, and adjusting to the unfamiliar and certainly uncomfortable. It certainly requires you to deal with stuff you never saw or thought about before. In other words, its becoming a new you. That is not to say that the old you is bad, broken or useless. But if we want to tackle the world - we have to become people able to handle the challenge. Oppenheimer was not born supervising construction of the atomic bomb. And his previous 38 years did not adequately prepare him for the new challenge. And yet he superbly managed the task by changing, adapting and creating a new self. Can I do the same in my own life in order to take on the challenges on my horizon? What is coming into view that I know I am not capable of currently doing - but that with positive changes & reinvention will become possible accomplishing tomorrow? The awkward feelings & fears of failure are real. They refuse to leave or quiet down. And yet without being able to adjust - I'll never meet the challenges or will simply fail them in the same familiar patterns of my past. </div><div><br /></div><div>And finally we can see that Oppenheimer did all of it in short order. He was put on the "fast-track schedule" where delays not only put himself in jeopardy but potentially the entire U.S. military strategy. The time crunch, though, was not his enemy. The real adversary was the human condition to take it slow & easy. You and I do not have enough time. And although there is some good in taking a minute to simply enjoy things - the challenges we face and will face in the future are not going away. They don't shrink just because we dawdle in taking them on. Maybe the best thing for us would be the same pressure to perform at a high level in an unrealistic amount of time. Sure its stressful - but when you feel the heat of a moment it will either force you to rise to the top or show you the strength you need to develop for your next "opponent." </div><div><br /></div><div>The success & challenge that faced Robert Oppenheimer awaits you and me. We either fight forward against the overwhelming odds and find some definition of success or we simply let the challenges defeat us and allow us to wallow in self-pity. We don't make names for ourselves by accomplishing the small. We leave legacies when no trial is too hard to take on. </div>Landonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05317608633112978891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2928845073169300818.post-14505573524140196632012-01-02T15:41:00.000-08:002012-01-02T16:19:23.076-08:00Driven To Try<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkIS_d899YYzpDujjEujCJpHlOA4T28eUQXvkZnUE2SIaQoHf97o0Q-4FZwm2SBAfm8NL8fCqLoGque1X6S1DcrqLT88zTvf8DjFktmQqpsk1RgqGV6hsAoN-Nsa4NKXzyY8jd7OOzD4/s1600/Oppenheimer.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 245px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkIS_d899YYzpDujjEujCJpHlOA4T28eUQXvkZnUE2SIaQoHf97o0Q-4FZwm2SBAfm8NL8fCqLoGque1X6S1DcrqLT88zTvf8DjFktmQqpsk1RgqGV6hsAoN-Nsa4NKXzyY8jd7OOzD4/s320/Oppenheimer.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693184785993291234" /></a><span >Robert later recalled that he still had 'very great misgivings about myself on all fronts, but I clearly was going to do theoretical physics if I could...I felt completely relieved of the responsibility to go back into a laboratory. I hadn't been good; I hadn't done anybody any good, and I hadn't had any fun whatever; and here was something I felt just driven to try.' </span><div>Kai Bird & Martin J. Sherwin, <i>American Prometheus</i>, (New York: Vintage Books, 2005), 55.<blockquote></blockquote><a href="http://ohst.berkeley.edu/publications/oppenheimer/exhibit/index.html"><span >Robert Oppenheimer</span></a> had an interesting life. He seemed to be destined for a life in the sciences - in particular with the study of physics. In his pursuit of knowledge & career he came across a dilemma when he realized that laboratory research (experimental physics) was not as fun as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theoretical_physics"><span >theoretical physics</span></a>. His life hit a major wall at this point, and he suffered from depression, frustration, and high anxiety over where it was heading. As a result, he decided upon a path in pursuit of that which filled his cup as opposed to the standard one of working in a lab and doing that pro-typical "fit" for work in physics in his era. There were no guarantees in this choice - in fact he realized there were serious potential pitfalls to it. However, the alternative was to do something which wasn't fun, he did not feel particularly good at, and wasn't really beneficial to anyone in his mind. Even a crash & burn seemed a better option than simply sticking with the standard route. He was simply 'driven to try' that which excited him most. </div><div><br /></div><div>How many people take a serious look at their lives and ask the questions of how much fun they are having, how good they are at what they are doing, and how beneficial it is to those around them? I truly believe people need to get more self-focused when choosing a job and vocation. To what benefit is it to give up dreams to simply choose the easiest, most comfortable, or most standard path? What has happened to our 'driven to try' mentality in this country? </div><div><br /></div><div>I resonate so deeply with Oppenheimer's thoughts as I faced a similar crisis in my own life. I had hit a wall working for the church in which I found myself not having fun, not succeeding (at least on the definition of the leadership - which quite frankly is the only definition that matters in a job), and really not helping anyone. The option was to do something new - even though that meant a year of living with my inlaws & the real potential of not landing a job (one job opening had over 50 highly qualified people submit applications). Talk about having misgivings!! The funny thing is when I told my boss I was done - I felt completely relieved. I walked away from security to pursue that which was personally most exciting. And the reward on all 3 fronts (fun, performance, and giving to others) has been clearly seen, felt, and heard. </div><div><br /></div><div>So what are we waiting on? Its time for a self-examination to see what we should do from here. Because the world is not bettered by people simply doing jobs for the sake of work. The world needs people that are driven to try in order to pursue their own self-interest that then rewards the environments around them. </div>Landonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05317608633112978891noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2928845073169300818.post-76467535794680152552011-08-16T18:33:00.000-07:002011-08-16T20:33:22.992-07:00Does Being "Nice, Gentle & Kind" Still Count?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGO6lwBY2q0uAvDZUaExmH4TEErp-GHqDlJPmqZ6Q_6hgQ8wKXZJ8NVeRjchmGxDnpc06r9I-X8A9M3NSGBvp6neN6RYkhnxXPSdgiXt-HR28_LO8f2eDCnlKwtMu6bire5jKamoqN5uE/s1600/Thome.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 294px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGO6lwBY2q0uAvDZUaExmH4TEErp-GHqDlJPmqZ6Q_6hgQ8wKXZJ8NVeRjchmGxDnpc06r9I-X8A9M3NSGBvp6neN6RYkhnxXPSdgiXt-HR28_LO8f2eDCnlKwtMu6bire5jKamoqN5uE/s320/Thome.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641261059417102194" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); " >"He is the nicest, gentlest, kindest guy you will ever meet … to everything except the baseball, he still hits that really hard." -<i>Michael Cuddyer on Jim Thome</i></span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><i><blockquote></blockquote></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;">Jim Thome (see articles by <a href="http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/6847957/road-600-home-runs-memorable-one-jim-thome"><span class="Apple-style-span">Tim Kurkjian</span></a> and <a href="http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/page/rumblings110816/jim-thome-truly-real-caring-person"><span class="Apple-style-span">Jayson Stark</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;">) hit his 600th homerun last night. Only 7 guys have done it besides him and 3 of those (Bonds, Sosa, and Rodriguez) have all been linked to steroid usage. He is one of the greatest power hitters of all time, and certainly deserves to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Remarkably he has not received a lot of press, more than likely because of his temperament and the fact that Cleveland and now Minnesota are not exactly big markets. But what seems to be most incredible about the guy is how other professional baseball players view him.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;" >
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;" >How many people are genuinely known to be nice, kind and gentle? To be more blunt, how many men are known for those characteristics? Today's American culture desires strong men, powerful men, and men who have "it" - whatever it might be. Rarely do you hear people seeking a nice guy. In fact the nice guy is at an all time low in terms of desirability. And yet here you have a prominent major league slugger who is known for his gentleness in personality if not his ability to hit a ball 500 feet. Teammates, opponents, coaches, members of the media, clubhouse workers, and the casual fan all encounter a guy who is so genuine and caring they are left deeply impressed. It might not get him front page press, but in the end he is the type of guy you want to be around, you want to emulate and you hope your kids turn out like. Perhaps its time we start re-evaluating our priorities and tastes in America. We need more men like Jim Thome - who recognize that being nice, gentle and kind is a helluva lot better than being an asshole...even if you lose out on publicity. </span></span></span></div></div>Landonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05317608633112978891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2928845073169300818.post-39915785125817997982011-08-15T15:10:00.000-07:002011-08-15T15:19:26.459-07:00Aaron Rodgers<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnafC35HyojxnEkYHUrDERyPeP69VoG8Lm2WSeXCGl8wZPSZb5bRc92x0VTZJQ-uQkXsQD0PJTTehZFJdzegTb_VCWh6ZXWAeIUdzL_Js8tykyYstfDOqcZxlrN_MX0Ay94AlIY9RbGHY/s1600/Aaron+Rodgers.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnafC35HyojxnEkYHUrDERyPeP69VoG8Lm2WSeXCGl8wZPSZb5bRc92x0VTZJQ-uQkXsQD0PJTTehZFJdzegTb_VCWh6ZXWAeIUdzL_Js8tykyYstfDOqcZxlrN_MX0Ay94AlIY9RbGHY/s320/Aaron+Rodgers.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641209235745969122" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">"I think if you're depressed about the current state of athletes - their greed, their ego, their selfishness - spend some time around Aaron Rodgers. He's what's right about sports." </div><div style="text-align: center;">-<a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/writers/peter_king/archive/index.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Peter King</span></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>(P.S. I loved his "People who live in Wisconsin and Minnesota must have a mandatory high school class in Pleasantness" comment as well!)</div>Landonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05317608633112978891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2928845073169300818.post-34698097204674052322011-08-14T11:35:00.000-07:002011-08-14T12:18:13.212-07:00The Inspiration of Trenton<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJFxDybmlO5iD081SkWaSXcd-SWqvHiOTnojyAkXxzn1pSXrtsBdwWlYN4NxXoQ3bB7Ke4UslBvvPcDG8yna8-YdWqq7ObX4BuMmliy30ihP_AeWMGjo1s2HVNrbR78ywJvVDtWk8lbBU/s1600/Washington.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJFxDybmlO5iD081SkWaSXcd-SWqvHiOTnojyAkXxzn1pSXrtsBdwWlYN4NxXoQ3bB7Ke4UslBvvPcDG8yna8-YdWqq7ObX4BuMmliy30ihP_AeWMGjo1s2HVNrbR78ywJvVDtWk8lbBU/s320/Washington.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640783335561532978" /></a>His 2,400 Americans, having been on their feet all night, wet, cold, their weapons soaked, went into the fight as if everything depended on them. Each man "seemed to vie with the other in pressing forward," Washington wrote. <div>
<br /></div><div>"The troops behaved like men contending for everything that was dear and valuable," Knox wrote to Lucy. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>John Hancock said that the victory at Trenton was all the more "extraordinary" given that it had been achieved by men "broken by fatigue and ill-fortune." [<i>He continued with</i>] "But troops properly inspired, and animated by a just confidence in their leader will often exceed expectation, or the limits of probability." </div><div>David McCullough, <i>1776</i>, (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2005), 280, 282, 284.<blockquote></blockquote>The story of Washington & his troops crossing the Delaware River on Christmas 1776 has always been riveting to me. George Washington is a near mythical being in American history and the story has many legendary & fanciful elements to it. That a group of soldiers near death with nothing more than inspiration to live on could surprise and defeat a group of 1500 trained mercenaries is incredible. Though small in stature, the skirmish would be a catalyst for belief in the movement of independence. McCullough does an excellent job at creating the culture of fear & disappointment that dominated America in light of the power the British showed throughout most of 1776. One small victory (two if you count Princeton) would foster growth & trust in the American vision. What is critical for us today is to take historical events and not only remember their great significance to the shaping of today's world but how we can profit from their lessons as well. Here are a few things I am pondering in light of my recent reading of the battle.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>The American soldiers were in a dreadful state. They were without hope & utterly destitute in their belongings and physical state. Yet despite their awful state - they pushed forward as if they could make a difference. They believed in rest on their shoulders to win and so stopped at nothing to make it happen. Do I believe this of myself? Do I push forward in my own role in the mission carved out for my life as if it depends completely upon me to make it work? If I do - then it doesn't matter how bad things get, I will push forward because I believe it is absolutely necessary for me to do so. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Next, the soldiers were fighting for the "dear and valuable" in their minds, lives, and world. The incredible lengths they went to were done without thought because it would have been insane not to. Quitting is not an option when you are fighting for what you believe in. I need to reorder my priorities to make sure I am constantly focused on the dear & valuable. It is when those goals are my focus that I will find the fight within me to put it all on the line. It is not possible to give it all when you don't believe in the end result. If I find myself not giving my all, I must question whether my intended goal is either not dear and valuable or whether I have lost my priorities. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Finally, the troops "exceeded expectation, or the limits of probability" because of inspiration. This has two parts to it in importance. The first deals with the ability to exceed expectation. It is easy to set limits on what can happen based upon the probability of such happenings. The problem is when we allow those limits to then set the bar upon which we will not seek to climb higher. In other words, once we have hit the target we stop pushing beyond. I must not allow myself to simply hit the finish line - I must desire to move beyond. Goals are great - but we need to believe we can continuously accomplish so much more than we believe. The second part deals with finding the inspiration to encourage. This either comes from the cause we are fighting for itself or the leaders we choose to follow. Mentors play such a huge role in life. The more inspiring the mentor, the more likely they will help us move beyond the finish line. Therefore it is absolutely important to pick & find causes and leaders that constantly get us to stretch ourselves beyond what we think we are capable of doing. When we have confidence in that which is biding us to push forward, we will not limit ourselves even when, like the American soldiers, we lack the "necessary tools & abilities" to do so. </div>Landonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05317608633112978891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2928845073169300818.post-51870422948683742802011-08-12T16:41:00.000-07:002011-08-12T16:45:17.143-07:00Meet the Packers Mr. President<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35EMfBJWuEM7IsLx4ZSd9q7XQQ6IGv5u34PNfwwjhL5UFnWaEiymuUQkAh0IHyTrhN8ZMcr1hqYTCVJlrsh_KC2uiYznvi0HD6sHGrZAptce5wq7ut6Po0Sjd8WSPwuUk29rHC_seREE/s1600/nfl_g_packers_whitehouse2_576.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35EMfBJWuEM7IsLx4ZSd9q7XQQ6IGv5u34PNfwwjhL5UFnWaEiymuUQkAh0IHyTrhN8ZMcr1hqYTCVJlrsh_KC2uiYznvi0HD6sHGrZAptce5wq7ut6Po0Sjd8WSPwuUk29rHC_seREE/s320/nfl_g_packers_whitehouse2_576.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640118865850462738" /></a>One of the perks of winning the Super Bowl is getting a tour of the White House & meeting with the <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/6857226/president-obama-gracious-green-bay-packers-love-chicago-bears"><span class="Apple-style-span" >President</span></a>. What makes it even better is having the Bears fan President Obama having to congratulate the Packers. Looking forward to another football season. Go Pack Go!Landonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05317608633112978891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2928845073169300818.post-35450723124238742742011-08-11T18:00:00.000-07:002011-08-11T19:06:20.915-07:00What is the role of Congress?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEokBCxdB5Eu-pwC39D3gLgMpI5SkmwconcusZWNowGBMRgvZVUuLFuuNTkrSH_V9SWSDGlc63L4Iai3_gaeoJ4Kj0aSif0Zvctzblm3N6SI9myv1gbZ_jRbaz_Dk6Xok336pdJPSNPZY/s1600/constitution.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEokBCxdB5Eu-pwC39D3gLgMpI5SkmwconcusZWNowGBMRgvZVUuLFuuNTkrSH_V9SWSDGlc63L4Iai3_gaeoJ4Kj0aSif0Zvctzblm3N6SI9myv1gbZ_jRbaz_Dk6Xok336pdJPSNPZY/s320/constitution.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639662440424783650" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><div>When it comes to the government, I think the President often gets more blame & more credit than he (some day she) ever deserves. The real questions for me center on the role of Congress. A lot of our issues with the ineffectiveness of Washington center on the Senate & House. With that in mind, its critical we understand a particular passage of the Constitution. Over the course of the next few weeks I will be examining a few parts of Article 1, Section 8 dealing with the powers of Congress. For now, here's a look at what exactly Congress is "expected" to do...</div><ul style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; "><li><i>The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imports and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States; </i></li><li><i>To borrow money on the credit of the United States;</i></li><li><i>To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;</i></li><li><i>To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;</i></li><li><i>To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;</i></li><li><i>To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;</i></li><li><i>To establish Post Offices and Post Roads;</i></li><li><i>To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;</i></li><li><i>To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;</i></li><li><i>To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offenses against the Law of Nations;</i></li><li><i>To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;</i></li><li><i>To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;</i></li><li><i>To provide and maintain a Navy;</i></li><li><i>To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;</i></li><li><i>To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;</i></li><li><i>To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;</i></li><li><i>To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings; And</i></li><li><i>To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.</i></li></ul><p style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; "></p></span>Landonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05317608633112978891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2928845073169300818.post-74192443610130991782011-08-10T11:52:00.001-07:002011-08-10T11:59:49.666-07:00Military-Industrial Complex<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsB65ECCwjptCK1toW2xJ4rhD7VFUgrwpoGYDv-N5S_n5gqRDeI3iG29goqBZ_Y3LeRDTNXuOTgzpcY10aIONdaHdtXkE1GX1kRAjf8Y_zgAYCb0DMMGtFq96Qx_B_cjl41EU2dOm5mc/s1600/MIC.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsB65ECCwjptCK1toW2xJ4rhD7VFUgrwpoGYDv-N5S_n5gqRDeI3iG29goqBZ_Y3LeRDTNXuOTgzpcY10aIONdaHdtXkE1GX1kRAjf8Y_zgAYCb0DMMGtFq96Qx_B_cjl41EU2dOm5mc/s320/MIC.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639302248694032354" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">"<i>A vital element in keeping the peace is our military establishment. Our arms must be mighty, ready for instant action, so that no potential aggressor may be tempted to risk his own destruction...</i><p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><i>This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence — economic, political, even spiritual — is felt in every city, every statehouse, every office of the federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society. In the councils of government, <b><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u>we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex</u></span></b>. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals so that security and liberty may prosper together.</i>" -Dwight D. Eisenhower, January 17, 1961-</p></span>Landonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05317608633112978891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2928845073169300818.post-66703913400124908912011-08-09T15:19:00.000-07:002011-08-09T15:20:36.738-07:00Dr. No<div style="text-align: left;"><object width="640" height="390"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/itWlILr6WAg&rel=0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/itWlILr6WAg&rel=0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="640" height="390"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ron Paul is growing on me. </div>Landonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05317608633112978891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2928845073169300818.post-82328225557154168732011-08-08T14:17:00.001-07:002011-08-08T14:18:48.873-07:00Scott Adams on the BudgetHere are the thoughts of Scott Adams (creator of Dilbert) on the new budget plan. Pure genius.<blockquote></blockquote><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Congress allegedly agreed on a budget plan last night. The great thing about this plan is that both sides can blame the other when the economy continues its long march into the crapper. Conservatives will say we didn't cut the budget enough. Liberals will say the decrease in government spending will choke off growth and make things worse. Who's right?
<br />
<br />Democrats like to point to the Clinton era as proof that the economy can flourish even as taxes are increased. But how would things have fared in the Clinton years without the Dotcom bubble? Beats me. You don't know either.
<br />
<br />Economies usually find their direction from large, unpredictable events, such as wars and other disasters, moving from communism to capitalism, huge demographic shifts, and irrationality that leads to economic bubbles. For any given ten-year period, luck is the biggest driver of a nation's economy. But what single factor is most predictive of, say, a nation's fifty-year economic direction? I think it's the L-to-E ratio (lawyers-to-engineers).
<br />
<br />My hypothesis is that the best indicator of long term economic health is the number of engineers a country produces relative to the number of lawyers. A country that is cranking out more engineers than lawyers will trend up. A country that is moving toward a lawyer-heavy economy will grind to a stop.
<br />
<br />This idea is nothing more than a wordy way of saying, "To a man who only has a hammer, everything looks like a nail." Engineers build stuff and lawyers sue people. If we assume both professions like to stay busy all the time, you need more engineers than lawyers to create net growth. And I think you'd agree that the countries with the best engineers also win wars and survive disasters the best.
<br />
<br />I tried and failed to Google some statistics to back up my hypothesis. Anecdotally, the idea seems about right. I can't think of a country with a strong economy that isn't also known for its engineering prowess.
<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">
<br />Some of you will argue that education in general is the biggest predictor of success. But I think you'd agree that if everyone started majoring in English, we'd all starve to death with impeccable grammar.
<br />
<br />My take on the budget compromise is that any budget that doesn't kill us right away will be good enough. Our economic fate is primarily in the hands of engineers. And when our collective cynicism reverts back to its baseline, maybe we'll be lucky </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">enough to have another economic bubble. I hope so. I enjoy those while they last.</span></span></div>Landonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05317608633112978891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2928845073169300818.post-82773422443887193642011-08-07T14:54:00.000-07:002011-08-07T15:31:46.574-07:00Bill of Rights<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1_XONIAeGtYNpLbfsEW6GzyNKD-tX5IELu1qheGaSLlv5z87crDKROuaOFinQ0-Y5WWAFQcKVkBkMe20ib-TwkKEG8Z2y7W4_Et34QMZFR_Hmk32NuOmJEeBaIrBpw5B4_w1W9LmsL4/s1600/bill-of-rights.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1_XONIAeGtYNpLbfsEW6GzyNKD-tX5IELu1qheGaSLlv5z87crDKROuaOFinQ0-Y5WWAFQcKVkBkMe20ib-TwkKEG8Z2y7W4_Et34QMZFR_Hmk32NuOmJEeBaIrBpw5B4_w1W9LmsL4/s320/bill-of-rights.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638236273418935186" /></a>I bumped into a guy last week while working my landscaping job. He was putting in new flooring at a cabin and we got into a conversation. I discovered quickly that he was a product of guys like Rush Limbaugh who make a living tell people what to be afraid of and who to blame for that fear. He was convinced the United States was on the verge of collapse and would soon be controlled under the regime of a guy like Hitler. Although I was not impressed with his theories, he did bring a valuable point in terms of the Constitution. He asked whether or not I could name all 10 amendments in the Bill of Rights. I did not answer him but truth be told I was not sure of all ten. The more I thought about it that day the more disappointed I was in myself. After all, the Constitution was only ratified by the original states because of the limitations on the National Government specified by the Bill of Rights. In other words, these ten precious amendments were required before people would even consider allowing the national government to form and replace the Articles of Confederation. If we do not know what they are, how are we suppose to know when/if the federal government violates them? So without further ado...<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">1st: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><i>Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>2nd: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.</span></i></span></div><div><br /></div><div>3rd: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.</span></i></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span">4th: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 18px; font-style: italic; ">The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; ">5th: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; ">6th: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; ">7th: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; ">8th: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; ">9th: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; ">10th: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people</span><span class="Apple-style-span" >.</span></i></span></div>Landonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05317608633112978891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2928845073169300818.post-34381854265178376762011-08-06T21:56:00.001-07:002011-08-06T22:21:24.029-07:00Objects of Confidence<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSgaF_J5iikSwSfQ5WpMWSrZgtLbk0_hZ4OK3lXgz0Og_4h-TmoF-EqXf-p4KHtojp-Rc2NG7oXnQ_s2XfJuuL30rWpdSPyBbrVO-segItWjgOKnJcksMVZmsFyfhC3x1qPyF-mk3OQU/s1600/Nathanael+Greene.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 248px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSgaF_J5iikSwSfQ5WpMWSrZgtLbk0_hZ4OK3lXgz0Og_4h-TmoF-EqXf-p4KHtojp-Rc2NG7oXnQ_s2XfJuuL30rWpdSPyBbrVO-segItWjgOKnJcksMVZmsFyfhC3x1qPyF-mk3OQU/s320/Nathanael+Greene.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637975258465962658" /></a><div>But Nathanael Greene was no ordinary man. He had a quick, inquiring mind and uncommon resolve. He was extremely hardworking, forthright, good-natured, and a born leader. His commitment to the Glorious Cause of America, as it was called, was total. And if his youth was obvious, the Glorious Cause was to a large degree a young man's cause. The commander in chief of the army, George Washington, was himself only forty-three. John Hancock, the President of the Continental Congress, was thirty-nine, John Adams, forty, Thomas Jefferson, thirty-two, younger even than the young Rhode Island general. In such times many were being cast in roles seemingly beyond their experiences or capacities, and Washington had quickly judged Nathanael Greene to be "an object of confidence."</div><div>David McCullough, <i>1776</i>, (New York: Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, 2005), 21.<blockquote></blockquote>It has been my experience in life that more often than not things that are deemed a "young man's cause" are often derided as foolish, naive, and not based upon sound judgment. With age comes experience & a better ability to make decisions the rationale goes. As a result, young people must "wait their turn" before getting heard, approached or in some cases considered. How many ideas of youth get flushed down the toilet as a result of this harsh treatment? Now to be fair, many ideas or causes of today's youth are roiled with rashness, stupidity and are clearly not well thought out. Despite this, though, we must remember how many times history has shown the idealistic nature of young minds and their impact on the shape of the world today. </div><div><br /></div><div>The key then becomes learning how to become, like General Nathanael Greene, "objects of confidence" for the world around us. I struggled with this concept when working at the church, and became embittered by the lack of trust or dependency upon my ideas. My experience & capacity were deemed to be small and I was never really trusted to do or lead beyond the small realm of seemingly indestructible ministry. Looking back I can see where blame might be needed for those leaders with small vision above me, however, even more I can see my own failure to become that object of confidence. If I believed in myself as not being just an 'ordinary man' - I needed to make sure those around me (and especially above me) saw the same thing. My skills, character, and attributes needed to be honed, developed and then allowed to shine. Certainly this would not (and even today will not) guarantee success. Older people have a sense of entitlement that they have paid their dues, have their experiences and trust their 'sounder' judgment. So it is my duty to not get acrimonious but instead show an example in all I do and say that develops confidence. </div><div><br /></div><div>The world is a broken place. Many systems are breaking down and confidence is waning in every sector. What is needed is for the capable to step forward and show their ability. It is then, despite the potential obstacles of longevity in experience or proven capacity that trust will be developed or at the very least initially bestowed. And when that happens, much like Nathanel Greene, we will become objects of confidence. </div>Landonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05317608633112978891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2928845073169300818.post-43719806979581159702011-08-05T12:40:00.001-07:002011-08-05T12:47:50.579-07:00Dilbert<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKpmDyMDSExj09vOK7rLNKxCpV7gfo0EecAqm2Za4o7rjL90E9baesAGXIEzLIbmRkygqS4UAmpXdNSSD3SIWJcB9V_wgjxmKnqKt8qn2ll9a0mDT5l3Wgang3QyrFC8zh2yGp8HeGKM/s1600/Dilbert.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 99px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKpmDyMDSExj09vOK7rLNKxCpV7gfo0EecAqm2Za4o7rjL90E9baesAGXIEzLIbmRkygqS4UAmpXdNSSD3SIWJcB9V_wgjxmKnqKt8qn2ll9a0mDT5l3Wgang3QyrFC8zh2yGp8HeGKM/s320/Dilbert.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637459675545137186" /></a><blockquote></blockquote><br />I happen to think that <a href="http://www.dilbert.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Dilbert</span></a> is one of the funniest comics of all time. Much like an episode of Seinfeld, it feels as if Scott Adams is able to illustrate scenarios straight from life. He has a <a href="http://www.dilbert.com/blog/"><span class="Apple-style-span" >blog</span></a> on his website that is pretty darn good as well. If you feel as if you just need a laugh from your typical life - check out the site & blog. Well worth your time.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Landonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05317608633112978891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2928845073169300818.post-20597750935668284512011-08-04T17:06:00.000-07:002011-08-04T17:20:34.538-07:00Germany Invades Belgium<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7bOi6dqwp0wRoN8vpmwdQjCNT_g9QuOEvvSVqUtKzrM3bpDbYfXxgmJX8MrfKlROyXtM7ozZI7LaXXTvafyw-1_Cw5MdUPmaYimjvV-zEY8mizmeAkkDSq1oJ55zVItaAdo_vDIqNjs/s1600/August+4.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 254px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7bOi6dqwp0wRoN8vpmwdQjCNT_g9QuOEvvSVqUtKzrM3bpDbYfXxgmJX8MrfKlROyXtM7ozZI7LaXXTvafyw-1_Cw5MdUPmaYimjvV-zEY8mizmeAkkDSq1oJ55zVItaAdo_vDIqNjs/s320/August+4.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637157329649822482" /></a>On August 4th, 1914, Germany invaded Belgium. Although not the technical start to WWI, this action would help plunge Europe into the Great War. Eventually all of the world's major powers would be involved and over 9 million people would be killed. Europe would never be the same again. The world would never be either. And even in the aftermath with the Treaty of Versailles & the rise of the League of Nations; we could not find peace and had to fight yet again.<blockquote></blockquote><i><b>"Never, never, never believe any war will be smooth and easy, or that anyone who embarks on the strange voyage can measure the tides and hurricanes he will encounter. The statesman who yields to war fever must realize that once the signal is given, he is no longer the master of policy but the slave of unforeseeable and uncontrollable events." -Sir Winston Churchill-</b></i>Landonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05317608633112978891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2928845073169300818.post-32049331410661414592011-08-03T11:58:00.000-07:002011-08-03T12:24:33.538-07:00The Forest<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl8rQ7GKeEtxo9-VXXjRNi4AiCEhjzIj27tadykA_kXTSHFivZCYr6mpyjNa_hMD-D_-gkVKgD_ny_OBYC5Xctey93bQslGH3Vdmy2lpzuvuP0xBm_OqgGvUlS8HUeMVrXeumdPo-1pI8/s1600/Forest.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl8rQ7GKeEtxo9-VXXjRNi4AiCEhjzIj27tadykA_kXTSHFivZCYr6mpyjNa_hMD-D_-gkVKgD_ny_OBYC5Xctey93bQslGH3Vdmy2lpzuvuP0xBm_OqgGvUlS8HUeMVrXeumdPo-1pI8/s320/Forest.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636706607599632290" /></a>But Victor Frankl whispered in my ear all the same. He said to me I was a tree in a story about a forest, and that it was arrogant of me to believe any differently. And he told me the story of the forest is better than the story of the tree.<div>Donald Miller, <i>A Million Miles in a Thousand Years</i>, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2009), 198.<blockquote></blockquote>I finished reading Miller's book this morning. I had bought it when I went to hear him speak at my church down in Arizona, but had never taken the time to actually read it. [Side-note: Its ironic how many books I have purchased but never gotten around to reading.] It was a quick read and pretty enjoyable. I have always thought Miller has the ability to tell a solid story, so a book about life in stories makes sense for him. My personal favorite from his remains <i>Searching for God Knows What</i>. Not sure why really, I just really loved it at the time I read it. </div><div><br /></div><div>In regards to this book, I think the part that stuck out to me the most was his idea of the story of humanity being compared to that of a forest. A forest is made up of many trees - each being unique in and of themselves but still being part of the overall forest of trees. The story is about the forest. It has to be about the forest. No matter how tall, wide, green, or strong a particular tree might be - the forest as a whole is still more important. This speaks so strongly to my tendency to get caught up in my own world & life. I fall easily to the false belief that the forest (humanity) is not as critical to God or myself as the individual tree (myself). Its selfish & highly egotistical and often causes me hurt & frustration as I lament over God "letting me down" when things don't go my way. How much easier would life be if I didn't get so focused on my own journey and realized the larger story God was trying to communicate through everyone else? Its as if God is whispering the classic "don't miss the forest for the tree(s)" in that He desperately wants me to see the larger picture. My journey and the details of my life are very important to Him (<i>what is man that thou art mindful of him</i>) and yet the larger story is of far more importance. My story as an individual tree should be focused on contributing all that I have to offer to overall story of the forest. Its in doing that, that I will find joy & contentment in life. </div><div><br /></div><div>Miller's book is certainly not a "life-changer" type work. However, I think it communicates some great ideas on story & life. If for only one illustration, the book was highly worth the read for me. </div>Landonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05317608633112978891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2928845073169300818.post-42027216445137180742011-07-23T11:52:00.000-07:002011-07-23T12:29:02.887-07:00The Grindstone<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQ7Gf73yxm6wZXeTJSHX5U-MZ0EeBIh4I8GAdZLyi5GdY-mem4Vy-q_HjMPBjH4-YY8RSzAqkKoJJYmiOZzksCP-2dq8KGbNd_qQnQpI2Z7TQf-RDUwRJVjE7vP6JTS1YG-zs7g5qemE/s1600/the-time-machine.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQ7Gf73yxm6wZXeTJSHX5U-MZ0EeBIh4I8GAdZLyi5GdY-mem4Vy-q_HjMPBjH4-YY8RSzAqkKoJJYmiOZzksCP-2dq8KGbNd_qQnQpI2Z7TQf-RDUwRJVjE7vP6JTS1YG-zs7g5qemE/s320/the-time-machine.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632622800588200530" /></a>But with this change in condition comes inevitably adaptations to the change. What, unless biological science is a mass of errors, is the cause of human intelligence and vigour? Hardship and freedom: conditions under which the active, strong, and subtle survive and the weaker go to the wall; conditions that put a premium upon the loyal alliance of capable men, upon self-restraint, patience, and decision.<div><br /></div><div>We are kept keen on the grindstone of pain and necessity, and, it seemed to me, that here was that hateful grindstone broken at last!</div><div><br /></div><div>H.G. Wells, <i>The Time Machine</i>, (Public Domain Books, 2006), Kindle Locations (400-403) & (409-20).<blockquote></blockquote>The Victorian Era for the United Kingdom uniquely coincides with the Gilded Age of the United States. Both periods, for their respective countries, were marked by their increase in prosperity as well as technological advances making life "easier" in a lot of regards. Of course, rapid urbanization lead to pockets of high poverty and horrible slum conditions, but overall the period is well known for its descent into decadence for those at the "top" of society. It was during this era that H.G. Wells' masterpiece, <u>The Time Machine</u>, was written and published. Like many of the great 'classics' of English literature, <u>The Time Machine</u> combines solid writing, good story telling and intriguing social commentary into one nifty package. As a result, while reading it you not only are entertained but you get the real sense of life in that society. </div><div><br /></div><div>I can recall seeing the 1960 film version of the <u>The Time Machine</u> when I was a kid, but until this week I had never read the novel. Needless to say, I was quite impressed with it and look forward to reading more H.G. Wells. Without going into the story line too deeply, the 'Time Traveler' is the protagonist who communicates the story throughout the book. He had built a time machine to travel through the fourth dimension which he explained was time. In traveling forward to the year 802,701 he comes in contact with an advanced age society of which most of the book discusses. In his first attempt at explaining one portion of that future society (the Eloi) he observes the laziness and lack of hard-work by the 'people'. It is from this observation he made the quotes as I posted above. </div><div><br /></div><div>Hardship & freedom. Pain & necessity. I am blown away by Wells' keen observation of how critical these things are for humanity. In particular, the ideals of hardship & pain stand out as critical factors that are often overlooked. Much like the Victorian Era or Gilded Age, modern society has pushed the envelope of technology further and further while increasing the luxury and comforts for the high end social classes. Life has, in many ways, never been easier. And yet much like the Time Traveler's initial views of the Eloi, this should not immediately give us comfort. What is the cause of human intelligence and vigour? It is hardship. Pain. Self-restraint. Patience. Solid decision making. Doing things only out of necessity. The results of the 'active, strong, and subtle' pushing forward. And yet, it is hard to see these characteristics anymore. More and more they are thought of as archaic as modern conveniences and luxuries have made us loathe the difficult and embrace the easy. In many ways, the idea of effort has dissolved. This is especially seen in the younger generations which I am very much a part of. </div><div><br /></div><div>So is all hope lost? That becomes the question. The picture we have seen and continue to see is certainly bleak. However, that being said, I still believe that anything is possible. Change will take time and the push-back on hard work will always exist. But human intelligence and vigour are needed as much today as they were in 1895. And if we believe in them still then we must fight forward with the very same weapons of hardship, pain, self-restraint, patience and solid decision making. The future is ours to make - what it will actually look like depends on the here and now. </div>Landonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05317608633112978891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2928845073169300818.post-58401519312655816682011-07-05T10:02:00.000-07:002011-07-05T11:17:38.996-07:00Failure of PurposeThe first campaigning season was a great disappointment; the departure of Alcibiades left the venture in the hands of a leader who did not believe in its goals and who had no strategy of his own to achieve them. Plutarch described the situation as follows: "Nicias, though theoretically one of two colleagues, held sole power. He did not stop sitting about, sailing around, and thinking things over until the vigorous hope of his men had grown feeble and the astonishment and fear that the first sight of his forces had imposed on his enemy had faded away" (<i>Nicias </i>14.4). Since he still dared not leave Sicily, Nicias and his men would now be compelled to face the main enemy at Syracuse without a clear plan of action. <div><br /></div><div>Perhaps the oversight was more a failure of purpose than of judgment. Nicias, as we have seen, never wanted to attack Sicily, and forced to take part in the campaign, intended to pursue a minimal course that would avoid any serious engagement. He had probably refused to consider any step as serious as an attack on Syracuse until circumstances made it unavoidable and then found himself without the forces to carry it out. </div><div><br /></div><div>Donald Kagan, <i>The Peloponnesian War</i>, (New York: Penguin Books, 2003), 274, 279.<blockquote></blockquote>Nicias, 470-413 B.C., was a politician/general/leader for Athens during the Peloponnesian War. He was known for his character and virtue, and by all accounts seemed to be a guy that the Athenians liked and admired. He was a watered-down version of the great Pericles, mostly being like him in that he did not desire war and conflict with Sparta. In fact, it was under his leadership that lead to a brief moment of potential peace in 421 B.C. between Athens and Sparta. The Athenians responded well to his leadership and had consistently placed him a position to make decisions. Despite a lack in military success, Nicias' endearment to the people kept him in power. </div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately for Athens, a crisis came about on the island of Sicily in 415 B.C. As a result it pitted Athenian interests against those of Syracuse (allied with Sparta). The Athenians voted for bold action and war in Sicily, of which Nicias was strongly against. Despite his repeated attempts to avoid the conflict, Athens jumped into it with Nicias as the key leader. A variety of mistakes would follow ending not only with the defeat of the Athenians, but also with the death of Nicias. Athens was ill-prepared for battle lacking man-power, strategy, and even the drive to win. Nicias committed folly after folly ending with a decision to refuse withdrawal simply to protect his name. The Sicily was an absolute disaster for the Athenians and seemingly the end of the war. </div><div><br /></div><div>Failure of purpose. That was the crime of Nicias in the Sicily campaign. His heart simply was not in the conflict. He did not believe in its aims or even necessarily its goals. He was just going through the motions while attempting to maintain his position and prestige. He could not plan, develop strategy or even make solid decisions in the moment. Without heart, he could not pour himself into the mission. I think we see this very issue in a lot of people today. On a regular basis we see people failing or at the very least failing the organization they are a part of because of a failure of purpose. Having character, a solid skill-set and even leadership ability do not matter without heart. It does not make a person a bad person - it simply means they are not in the right position for themselves. You have to believe in what you are doing if you have any hope of succeeding. Even if some form of success is seen, chances are likely the person is simply a hollow version of what they could be if they truly believed. </div><div><br /></div><div>So the question becomes - are you like Nicias? Are you going through the motions hanging onto some position or place of leadership simply because you don't have the guts to step down and pursue that which you desire to do? Are you struggling to succeed not because of inability but lack of purpose? The end result for Nicias was death by execution. What will be your end result if you stay mired in the same place you are in now? </div>Landonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05317608633112978891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2928845073169300818.post-11334878577310911782011-07-02T14:27:00.000-07:002011-07-02T15:08:32.357-07:00The Power of the XymbouliThe <i>xymboulos</i> Pharax was obviously thinking ahead to consider the political ramifications of the battle. To destroy the aristocratic elite of Argos when most of the ordinary, democratic Argives had escaped would guarantee the continued alliance of Argos with the other democracies, but if the Argive elite returned home after the great defeat of the anti-Spartan policy, they could gain control of the city and bring it into a Spartan alliance, striking a death blow to the enemy coalition. The vengeful, inexperienced Agis, determined to recover his honor, could not foresee this in the heat of the battle, and the Spartans' decision to appoint advisers to him proved to be a well-considered idea.<div><br /></div><div>Donald Kagan, <i>The Peloponnesian War</i>, (New York: Penguin Books, 2003), 240-241.<blockquote></blockquote>The Spartan King Agis II was a poor leader and awful strategist. His poor decision making, inexperience in leading during battle, and overall lack in inspiring confidence had left him in a precarious position of leadership. In addition, Sparta continued to lose prestige within their sphere of influence while Athens seemingly kept gaining. The situation was getting dire and any further loss by Sparta or Agis would seemingly cripple the Spartans and their hegemony within the Peloponnesian Alliance. Some form of success and victory was absolutely imperative. In 418 BC, in response to a situation in the Tegea/Mantinea area, Agis was given one final shot at proving himself in the Battle of Mantinea against the Argive Alliance. </div><div><div><br /></div><div>History has a way of repeating itself as people tend to not change their habits, behaviors and ways of thinking. To say that Sparta was headed for doom under the ineffective leadership of Agis is not inappropriate. What made the Battle of Mantinea unique, however, was the decision made by the ephors (leaders who shared power with the Spartan kings - based upon election) that Agis had to be placed under supervision by advisers known as the xymbouloi. These 10 men were responsible for helping Agis make better decisions - specifically in the realm of military leadership. It seems that this would have been humiliating for a king and a tremendous check upon his power. Whatever the king's emotions must have been in regards to the decision, the ephors' decision held firm. So when the Spartan-lead alliance headed off from Tegea to Mantinea, the king was surrounded. </div><div><br /></div><div>To avoid too much detail, the battle ended in Spartan victory. Multiple times within the execution of the battle Agis was saved by the decision making of the xymbouloi - including both prior to the battle beginning and after the battle was finished. In a nutshell, Agis (and Sparta!) were saved by not only the brilliant fighting ability of the elite Spartan warriors, but by the solid decision making of the men giving advice to the king. Although the battle did not guarantee anything for the future, it was absolutely critical to Sparta and would have a significant impact upon the Athenians and power of democracy within ancient Greece. Advice saved the day. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is in these moments of history that I truly see the wisdom of Solomon come alive. As he wrote in Proverbs 11:14, "For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure." How easy it is to be like Agis and simply continue forward in my own stupidity and ways of thinking. Trapped in my own inabilities, I make the same mistakes repeatedly which then prevent my future success. Pride refuses to allow me to see those blind spots and I stumble forward into a wavering future. And yet the answer lies in front of me much like it did for Agis. Advisers. Do I have people in my life that are consistently checking my power and decision making? Am I humble enough to see the need for my own set of xymbouli - who could very well be the determining factor in how bright my future might be? They mattered to Agis and the Spartan empire as a whole - the question now becomes can I learn from that situation and apply it to my own life. </div></div>Landonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05317608633112978891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2928845073169300818.post-75210593088348852892011-06-28T12:10:00.001-07:002011-06-28T13:04:31.623-07:00The Leadership of Pericles<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7NfZ6SmZ6A0YPZF1NU-2Ks4OcFqW-eyXJAWT4qbJMfDlihkktPkH8EeL3oVwb_UGdSBAiNn6sprJqODlqsWXMBltoq-hY-O4w_emFqXVfSb06kwt06MbBTjMNOyNI1Oz7ezHvOyzmdNQ/s1600/pericles.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7NfZ6SmZ6A0YPZF1NU-2Ks4OcFqW-eyXJAWT4qbJMfDlihkktPkH8EeL3oVwb_UGdSBAiNn6sprJqODlqsWXMBltoq-hY-O4w_emFqXVfSb06kwt06MbBTjMNOyNI1Oz7ezHvOyzmdNQ/s320/pericles.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623352774073527954" /></a>The death of Pericles deprived Athens of a leader with unique qualities. He was a military man and strategist of stature, but even more a brilliant politician of the rarest talents. He could decide on a policy and persuade the Athenians to adopt and remain committed to it, to restrain them from overly ambitious undertakings, and to encourage them when they lost confidence. The restored Pericles might have had sufficient power to hold the Athenians to a consistent policy, as no other Athenian could have. In his last recorded speech Pericles enumerated the characteristics necessary in a statesman: "To know what must be done and to be able to explain it; to love one's country and to be incorruptible" (2.60.5). No one had these traits in greater measure than Pericles himself, and if he made errors, he of all Athenians was most likely to put them right. His countrymen would miss him sorely. <div>Donald Kagan, <i>The Peloponnesian War</i>, (New York: Penguin Books, 2003), 97-98.<blockquote></blockquote>The ancient world of Greece required its leaders to be both politicians and military strategists. If a man was to rise to the top he had to be able to effectively lead in both arenas. Decisions had to be constantly made and then explained in such a way that the people would either agree to them or at least give support based upon allegiance to their home. Pericles was an interesting leader that had a place of significant leadership in democratic Athens at the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War with the Spartan Alliance. Being a moderate, he developed a strategy based upon deterrence and defense which at best would have prevented war. The lack of offensive strategy was a stark contrast to the Greek ideal of honor and courage which required him to explain it in such a way that would receive support. Although his death would curtail him from effectively making a long term impact upon the war, his ideals and principles remain a shining example of leadership today. </div><div><br /></div><div>In particular, I am smitten with the ideas Pericles enumerated in his final recorded speech. Simply knowing what must be done in a given situation or leadership moment distinguishes those with even a clue of how to lead. However, it is the next crucial step that helps illuminate those who want to lead from those who have the actual ability. As Pericles stated it, you have to be able to explain the why behind a leadership decision. It is not enough to simply recognize and choose the right decision - those who follow want to know why...especially in light of a potentially polemic issue. The explanation cannot be just a simply restating of the decision with an emphasis on it being right. Instead, it must help the follower understand, grasp its vision, and find a way to support it. Do not tell me you made a decision and I have to live with it. Help explain why it has to be this way and how it benefits me to be on board with it. </div><div><br /></div><div>As if this is not enough, Pericles goes on to explain that loyalty and integrity are also critical. Loyalty is often an abused virtue by leaders. Whether it is mocking patriotism by extolling the need for American flag lapels or incessant demand that followers blindly accept that being dished out to them, loyalty is easily misunderstood. At the end of the day, I don't care about what you say in terms of loyalty, I want to see you bleed for that which you claim to lead. Do you so firmly believe in that which you lead that you consistently do what's best for it and not yourself??? Integrity, or being incorruptible as Pericles puts it, might be the hardest of all. How firm are you on morality? Can you be bought, swayed or simply mislead? What would it take for you to compromise on "right"? Or even better - how do your followers know you are not corruptible?</div><div><br /></div><div>The reality is we lack leaders with the ideals that Pericles put forth. We desperately want them and often lionize those who embody them. But simply recognizing that which is critical to effective leadership helps us as we move forward in the search of those who can bring us to where we need to be. </div>Landonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05317608633112978891noreply@blogger.com0