Battle of the Alamo started 173 years ago today
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by Bill Singer http://www.brokeandbroker.com/index.php?a=blog&id=138 Subscribe to RSS Feed: February 23: The Battle of the Alamo Begins! Lessons for Wall Street. Written: February 23, 2009: Today marks the auspicious beginning of the legendary battle for the Alamo, which began on February 23, 1836, 173 years ago, only to end tragically on March 6th. It is the stuff of myth and history that has become woven into the fabric of our nation. We are told that Colonel Travis unsheathed his sword and drew a line in the sand before the men. His challenge was clear: Those willing to die for the cause should cross the line and join with him. We are told that all save one crossed that line--even the feverish James Bowie, who was reputedly carried over the line by Davy Crockett. While it was a gallant gesture, it proved a fatal one, as all of the defenders were wiped out.
It is not an uncommon story. Sometimes it is told about Texians. Sometimes about Spartans. Sometimes about a Light Brigade. Sometimes about a Band of Brothers. Nor does history much care, generations later, whether it was a just cause or sensible decision--those issues fade from importance. It is simply a universal string in our hearts that resonates. This is about bravery and sacrifice.
As the choice was given some two centuries ago at the Alamo, it still remains a stark one: Stay there or come here. There are no alternatives. No other options. You don't get to stand on sidelines. You don't get to straddle the line. You get to do one and only one thing. You get to choose. There or here. It doesn't even matter if you like or respect your commander -- Colonel Travis would not have won a popularity contest among his troops. Again, it's beyond debating tactics. Step over and join us, or stay where you are. .
I long ago gave up any past allegiance to the Republican or Democrat party. Instead, I now see them both as fungible, unprincipled, and corrupt partisans of whatever cause serves their personal needs. They blow with the wind and seek no glory other than staying in office as long as they can. Chameleon-like with their morality and ethics, they will say what they think we want to hear and do what they think we want to see. And with all the slavishness of a sunflower, they track the light of the nearest television camera for those precious minutes of air-time--but that they were as attentive to the pressing needs of their overwhelmed constituents.
To read more, click to http://www.brokeandbroker.com/index.php?a=blog&id=138[quote=rrbdlawyer] _popupControl();
by Bill Singer http://www.brokeandbroker.com/index.php?a=blog&id=138 Subscribe to RSS Feed: February 23: The Battle of the Alamo Begins! Lessons for Wall Street. Written: February 23, 2009: Today marks the auspicious beginning of the legendary battle for the Alamo, which began on February 23, 1836, 173 years ago, only to end tragically on March 6th. It is the stuff of myth and history that has become woven into the fabric of our nation. We are told that Colonel Travis unsheathed his sword and drew a line in the sand before the men. His challenge was clear: Those willing to die for the cause should cross the line and join with him. We are told that all save one crossed that line--even the feverish James Bowie, who was reputedly carried over the line by Davy Crockett. While it was a gallant gesture, it proved a fatal one, as all of the defenders were wiped out.
It is not an uncommon story. Sometimes it is told about Texians. Sometimes about Spartans. Sometimes about a Light Brigade. Sometimes about a Band of Brothers. Nor does history much care, generations later, whether it was a just cause or sensible decision--those issues fade from importance. It is simply a universal string in our hearts that resonates. This is about bravery and sacrifice.
As the choice was given some two centuries ago at the Alamo, it still remains a stark one: Stay there or come here. There are no alternatives. No other options. You don't get to stand on sidelines. You don't get to straddle the line. You get to do one and only one thing. You get to choose. There or here. It doesn't even matter if you like or respect your commander -- Colonel Travis would not have won a popularity contest among his troops. Again, it's beyond debating tactics. Step over and join us, or stay where you are. .
I long ago gave up any past allegiance to the Republican or Democrat party. Instead, I now see them both as fungible, unprincipled, and corrupt partisans of whatever cause serves their personal needs. They blow with the wind and seek no glory other than staying in office as long as they can. Chameleon-like with their morality and ethics, they will say what they think we want to hear and do what they think we want to see. And with all the slavishness of a sunflower, they track the light of the nearest television camera for those precious minutes of air-time--but that they were as attentive to the pressing needs of their overwhelmed constituents.
To read more, click to http://www.brokeandbroker.com/index.php?a=blog&id=138 [/quote] So sad but so true!!!February 23 is also the anniversary of the raising of the American flag on Iwo Jima. More than 6,000 Amercian soldiers lost their lives there, with more than 19,000 wounded in just over 1 month of intense combat. The Japanese suffered more than 20,000 dead. Compare that to our years of involvement in Iraq. The USA of 2009 could never pass such a brutal test of will with the media running the country…