Be silent; I see it, if you don't.

The issue of preventive war as a presidential prerogative is hardly new. In February 1848 Rep. Abraham Lincoln explained his opposition to the Mexican War:

"Allow the President to invade a neighboring nation, whenever he shall deem it necessary to repel an invasion and you allow him to do so whenever he may choose to say he deems it necessary for such purpose -- and you allow him to make war at pleasure . . . . If, today, he should choose to say he thinks it necessary to invade Canada to prevent the British from invading us, how could you stop him? You may say to him, 'I see no probability of the British invading us'; but he will say to you, 'Be silent; I see it, if you don't.' "


By Arthur Schlesinger Jr. Monday, April 24, 2006;
© 2006 The Washington Post Company

Thank you thank you

Thanks a lot, AM and J.
Wow, I thought this blog was an intimate affair between me and Mike, while some other human being logs on once in a while.

I'm now 41, though I look something like 35-37.

Yes, I'm now in Switzerland, in Lausanne, having my usual temporary contract at the University.
I rarely use the f&%* word, but here I really have to say:

what the f&%* am I doing here, where, within 20 miles from where I live, people like Ingvar Kamprad (the founder of IKEA), plus the owner of Heineken, plus the formula one driver Michael Schumacher live too? Am I in the right place???

Happy Birthday to you G

Everyone say Happy Birthday

Update: A little early, I guess Blogger can pre-post now.

HEY! Happy Birthday to everyone! Birthdays are like ninjas. They kick ass.

Thank you, thank you.

Just more gray hair on my head - somebody says that it makes you more attractive, I think it's a nice lie.

And Happy Easter to everybody.

Thank You

For my birthday I got money, salt, a brother-in-law and a polo shirt.

It seems that my sister Mary likes giving out salt for birthdays. (rather funny card)

Oh, and Kelly and Scott told us that they got Married way back in July. July 8th to be exact.

Happy Birthday

To our good friend Mike

American Dreaming

A few years ago, the great Mike introduced me to the music of Dead Can Dance.
This is one of my favourite songs, though I still need to look in the dictionary for some of the words in it, like 'surreptitious' or 'lea'.

I need my conscience to keep watch over me
To protect me from myself
So I can wear honesty like a crown on my head
When I walk into the promised land
We've been too long American dreaming
And I think we've all lost the way
Forlorn somnambulistic maniacal in the dark
I'm in love with an American girl
Though she's my best friend
I love her surreptitious smile
That hides the pain within her
And we'll go dancing in the rings of laughter
And live along by the shores
Yeah-ee, on the lea the rising wind blows
Fay-hee, on the lea the rising wind blows
How long how long?