[lit-ideas] Re: Happy New Year!
- From: "Lawrence Helm" <lawrencehelm@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 31 Dec 2006 19:47:10 -0800
Thanks Mike.
Let me celebrate the end of this year with you with this speculation. I
heard a reference that 30,000 had been killed during the construction of the
Panama Canal. Given our current abhorrence of any loss of life whatsoever,
I wondered how Americans tolerated this at the time. I subsequently learned
that 20,000 of them had been French, lost during the first attempt. Another
reference said Americans had lost more than 6,000. Perhaps there were some
more lost that were neither French nor American that bulk the number up to
30,000. I don't know, but I wonder if modern Americans would tolerate the
building of a Panama Canal at such a cost today. 6,000 Americans for a
stupid old canal that benefits businessmen who want to send their shipping
through the canal to reduce shipping time and increase profits? No way! Or
maybe you see that differently. Of course we don't' need a canal today, but
if we needed (or wanted) something comparable, say a colony on the Moon or
Mars that would cost 6,000 lives, would modern Americans go for it?
And a special thought for Irene to suit her ongoing mood. I have found just
the religion for her: Archeologists have deciphered the Mayan language and
religious calendar and have determined that the end of the world, the date
on which the world and all life will be destroyed is December 21, 2012.
Various religious things were done throughout the Mayan Calendar year; such
as removing the hearts of sacrifices and presenting them to the Mayan Gods;
which I'm sure wouldn't appeal to Irene, but there is nothing to prevent her
being eclectic about her beliefs - eclecticism is quite common in other
religions as well.
Lawrence
_____
From: lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Mike Geary
Sent: Sunday, December 31, 2006 6:06 PM
To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [lit-ideas] Happy New Year!
OK, I'm leaving now and won't be back until next year. Just wanted to wish
you all best wishes for the coming year. I like this list a whole lot. I
thank you all for your participation. The perspectives I can't get here in
Memphis are very meaningful to me. A special thanks to Lawrence and Brian,
without them who would I insult? (joke, guys, I truly do enjoy your
contributions, without you, there'd be very little conversation, just chit
chat about chit. My resolution for the coming year is to not send any drunk
posts and to track down Mike Chase, JL, Carol K, Veronica Calley and the
real Irene Cassidy. Keep faith, y'all.
Mike Geary
Meumphus
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