Peter Hendra wrote:

snip

It would be disappointing if all of this were to come to naught as it
seems it must one day if the past history of other civilisations and
empires have anything to tell us.

Indeed. Yet all of the great civilizations from
history are gone, and one day the US will
inevitably follow. Perhaps not just yet though.

As I am in the mood for quoting,
Woodrow Wilson, who I believe was previously a professor of history at
Yale, said that what we learn from history is that we do not learn
from history.

Very true. One thing history teaches is that the
human capacity for cruelty to his fellows is
astounding.

A valid warning for these times and the "War on Terror" that has been
flashing into my mind for sometime comes from the German philosopher
Nietzsche "Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the
process he does not become a monster. And when you look long into an
abyss, the abyss also looks into you"

Point very well taken. It is just this point that
is bothering many of us during these last few
years. There must be a better way. What would
you do if you were the US president?

I'm right out of pertinent quotes. I'll probably remember some more
halfway up my mast where I can't make notes with a pen. I have
repainted my mast and am in the process of completely renewing my
rigging. I've thankfully finished repainting the hull in this terrible
heat. The locals have gotten used to my sarong which is the only
sensible apparel besides nakedness in this climate.

It sounds like your boat is going to be looking
good before long. Have you taken any digital
photos that you can post?

Regards,

Don W.