Absolute value and other rants

I'll try to keep this brief. Quick points........not a lot of explanation

The gentle reader no doubt recall 'absolute value' from junior high algebra. It was a concept that had no mathematical application to me at that point. It's philosophical ramifications are quite strong. I cannot remember the exact quote, nor the person credited with it, but when asked what his two favorite things in life were the response was, "pleasures of the flesh and my personal relationship with God". These two points are related.

Another quote I am fond of is, "there is a fine line between love and hate". I think that might serve as a better example of absolute value. For example, a woman that I dated back in my single days. She was a nice girl. Not smart, but not dumb. OK looking (which made her a lot like me). After two dates and going to second base, things ended. I got a nasty note and that was that. Someone else, I was involved with, shall we say, more intimately. That one ended a bit more harshly. If somebody love you a lot and you burn them they will hurt you a lot. That's about it. Therefore I make a point of always being nice to loved ones

So what about pleasures of the flesh. It means unbridled debauchery to some. And there was a time, I sampled it. TO me it means enjoying the finest foods. Being pampered. Being lazy. Soaking in warm water for an hour or two. It also means physical exertion in wilderness. Trips through the west deserts. Feeling cold, hungry, tired, sore, miserable, sick. Musing about the perfect meal on a cold evening above 10,000 feet with nothing to keep you alive but you carry on your back. These same things are also what increases a sense of spirituality in some.

Look, I'm a pacifist by nature. I despise war and killing. I love peace, harmony, and working things out through collaboration and diplomatic means. I am also convinced that the only way to achieve these ends is by having things like the United States Marine Corps. And periodically turning them loose when there is good reason, a clear objective, and defined exit strategy. Without these we fail.