"Sound Bites"

Couple of quickies before I get to bed:

Legends:

Why do have this great need as a society to disprove some of our most enduring legends? Take this article from the Telegraph. Apparently we aren’t satisfied with the legend that says Rome was founded by Romulus. Now some historians are trying to literally personify the goddess Roma to discredit the original legend.

Probably neither legend is exactly true and certainly neither can be proven one way or the other. Why not just let it be? The legend of Romulus has always been satisfactory in the past (it is the subject of one of the most collectible ancient Roman coins). It’s never hurt anyone and it can’t be completely discredited. Why must we tear down all of our heroes, institutions and legends? Life without mythology, religious or legendary, isn’t really all too exciting. Let some things be a pleasant mystery.

Stupid Pilot Tricks:

Speaking of heroes, is there a kid out there that doesn’t look at pilot at least once in their life and say “I wish I could do that.” For those of us lucky enough to have actually piloted an airplane, there is an appreciation of just how special a pilot’s job really is. And then to see one throw their special career away, it really makes me wonder if some people have any capacity to think. There, because of the grace of God, goes he.

Tony Blair:

Tony Blair continues to impress me. During the Clinton years, I really didn’t like Blair too terribly much, but after 9/11 he really proved himself to be leader up to the challenge of the time. I really don’t think that any British leader since Churchill (Thatcher excluded) would have been able to exhibit the leadership that Tony Blair has since November of last year.

Now, asking critics to hold their judgment to see how the rebuilding of Iraq goes. Blair believes that our true legacy in Iraq won’t be the prosecution of the war, but the establishment of a just and fair peace. I got to say, I agree with him here, too.

It’s hard to believe that this is the same man that used to pal around with Slick Willy.