HAPPY 4thJul 4, 2016 Post by alch11 on Jul 4, 2016 at 12:20pm
Gentlepeople:
On this day of American celebration I want to take a moment, and to encourage each of you, to remember and reflect on the context, the import and the courage of those who labored so heroically before us to introduce and establish America as a land of true freedom and liberty in this world. Although I fear we have not been very good stewards of the rights and benefits made possible by our forebears, I am even more convinced that it is not too late to step up, to assume our necessary responsibilities, and to make this land free again. The quiet, bloodless revolution which has been secretly conducted in the shadows for the last two plus decades, is now at the point of denouement; and, I wish this day to invite each of you to take a moment to join me and dedicate your selves, your fortunes and your honor to ensuring its success. My love and very best regards to each of you.
Blessings,
Al
Jul 5, 2016 Post by alch11 on Jul 5, 2016 at 6:42pm
famous Indian legend,
It was six men of Indostan
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the Elephant
(Though all of them were blind),
That each by observation
Might satisfy his mind.
The First approach'd the Elephant,
And happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side,
At once began to bawl:
"God bless me! but the Elephant
Is very like a wall!"
The Second, feeling of the tusk,
Cried, -"Ho! what have we here
So very round and smooth and sharp?
To me 'tis mighty clear
This wonder of an Elephant
Is very like a spear!"
The Third approached the animal,
And happening to take
The squirming trunk within his hands,
Thus boldly up and spake:
"I see," quoth he, "the Elephant
Is very like a snake!"
The Fourth reached out his eager hand,
And felt about the knee.
"What most this wondrous beast is like
Is mighty plain," quoth he,
"'Tis clear enough the Elephant
Is very like a tree!"
The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear,
Said: "E'en the blindest man
Can tell what this resembles most;
Deny the fact who can,
This marvel of an Elephant
Is very like a fan!"
The Sixth no sooner had begun
About the beast to grope,
Then, seizing on the swinging tail
That fell within his scope,
"I see," quoth he, "the Elephant
Is very like a rope!"
And so these men of Indostan
Disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion
Exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the right,
And all were in the wrong!
MORAL.
So oft in theologic wars,
The disputants, I ween,
Rail on in utter ignorance
Of what each other mean,
And prate about an Elephant
Not one of them has seen!
