I am a Taoist among other things. I say that a lot. I am also a schizophrenic pacifist. I hate violence, yet at times it must be employed. When these times occur, violence must be swift, certain, and overwhelming. By doing such the conflict is minimized in time and scope. It is merciful. Then just as quickly as the violence is meted out, the peace must be restored.
I was a student of Sun Tzu before Lao Tzu. As such, I was not fully able to grasp the full truth from the 'Art of War' for about 20 years or so. In any conflict, or any endeavor for that matter, there are five variables that need to be examined. He who has the majority of advantages will prevail. These variables are: The Way, the weather, the terrain, the leadership, and discipline.
The way is simply the Tao. One who adheres to the Tao is said to be in the way. The goal of the leadership and those being led must be the same.
The weather is simple enough to understand as is the terrain. Good weather and favorable terrain will increase your chance of being successful in your work. Whether it be a Boy Scout fifty-mile hike or a military offensive. (Naturally if I am on the defensive I will lay in wait in difficult terrain and pray for rain).
The leadership must not be overly stern. Nor can it be overly permissive. The leaders must not be easily angered, or humiliated. The leaders must be intelligent, good-intentions mean little. Leaders must be trustworthy and courageous. Finally leaders need to be humane and merciful.
Discipline must be clear, simple, and consistent. Organization and chain of command must be adhered to. Logistics and operations must be smooth.
When things go wrong, I retrospectively apply the variables to the situation and Sun Tzu is always proven right. I still need to improve my ability to examine the variables beforehand and determine outcomes more successfully. Today my four youngest children were involved in a bus fire that destroyed the bus (along with their belongings) but all escaped harm. My daughter sucked in some smoke on the way out but she says she is OK. Getting accurate info was difficult. Getting it from people I trust was nearly impossible. It was only after hearing from the wife of my neighbor Mike that I began to be calmed. She assured Shelisa that things were fine and that they (meaning her and Mike) were tracking the situation. I've blogged before about Mike. He is one of only three men in my ward, and the only one there, that I trust completely. He walks in the Way.
Enough of that.
I was listening to some old Zappa stuff (70's and 80's vintage) a few days ago. I thought I might give his later stuff (90's) a listen. He wrote a song called Jesus thinks you are a jerk. It is woefully dated due to the names and reference to things that were topical at the time but are now long-forgotten. There were a few passages that proved timeless though. I don't think Zappa was particularly religious. I also don't think he thought it a terrible bad thing however if people were religious so long as they didn't use religion as a excuse to hate. I will paraphrase a few of these passages with no apologies made to the Zappa trust (bite me Dweezil).
There's a pretty little weasel about five foot nine
Face puffed up from cryin' 'n lyin'
'Cuz here sweet little daughter's
Sucking prong part time
(In the name of the Lord)
Get a clue little shrew
Oh yeah, oh yeah Jesus thinks you're a jerk
Would he really choose Sarah Palin to do his work? Unh-unh!
The Tea party says they're the One
Oh sure they are, if Armageddon is your idea of family fun
And they got some planned for you
(But only if your name ends with an 'ez')
Perhaps it's their idea of an affirmative action plan
To give 'white trash' a special break.
Well they took those 'patriot' bucks and ran to the bank.
And every night we hear them thank
their Buddy up above for sending down his love.
Convinced they are the chosen ones
And all of them carry guns and hold them cards to the NRA
With their fingers on the triggers while they kneel and pray
If you ain't born again they want to mess you up screamin'
"Life's too precious can't you see"
(What's that hanging from a neighbor's tree?
Why it looks like a Mexican to me!)
If you don't know the truth of what I'm telling you
Then truly I have failed somehow
And Jesus will think I'm a jerk just like you.
'Cuz you've let the hatemongers make a monkey out of you.
This Arizona nonsense starts up in a few days. I will still reserve judgement however. I honestly believe that most people are decent, reasonable, and honorable. The people of Arizona have a huge problem they are trying to deal with. Unfortunately many who are leading the charge do so because they hate Mexicans......and blacks. Especially that (whispered quietly) nigger in the White house.
I make no secret of my political leanings. I vote for the man not the party. Don't tell my friends at the democratic HQ that I vote for R's almost as much as I vote for D's. I voted for Obama. While he is still preferable to McCain, I can't help but wonder if Hilary would have done better.
Rather than having the justice department file lawsuits against Arizona, Obama should be working on a comprehensive immigration policy, securing the borders, initiating discussion on a plan to lessen demand for drugs (as well as send some 'teams' south of the border to keep their skills honed by putting holes in any blow-lord they encounter), and doing it quick. You know some of that 'bully pulpit', 'push an agenda stuff' that you can do when BOTH houses are controlled by your party!
Some would argue that it is too ambitious and he's only been the President for 18 months. Well, it seems that me that Bush got pretty damn much everything he wanted at about 20 months in! And he was a dumb ass. I thought Obama was smart.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
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