Illiberalism is based, in part, on the fantastical belief that it is possible to take away the rights of one group without diminishing one’s own rights
If I previously had seen Stockdale's comment about "the optimists," I have forgotten that moment. So I won't claim any originality to the following.
I have, for most of my life, described myself as a short term pessimist but long term optimist. Today may suck, and tomorrow and next week look bad or worse, but eventually things will improve, even work out to be great. Many times, events I perceived as bad at the time have turned out to have for the better later, even years later. This attitude has helped me through both bad times and good times. Never give up, never surrender, to quote from the movie "Galaxy Quest."
This has helped me partially adjust to the death of our daughter in September 2033. There will always be pain, and some regret for not retiring earlier to spend more time with her. The only consolation has been so many of her friends and associates telling my wife and I that she often talked about us in glowing terms. Love does not always conquer, but is surely an analgesic.
Prof. B: greetings. I find myself opening my mail in anticipation of your writings. I take a dose of your medicine and it helps me direct my thoughts and actions. I usually read you two times;amazing what sinks in my head on the second pass.
James, I am grateful for your note of appreciation. Thoughtful, attentive readers make my efforts worthwhile and help us build a learning community. Thank you!
Stockdale wound up in Hoa Lo Prison – the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” — where he spent the next seven years under unimaginably brutal conditions. He was physically tortured no fewer than 15 times. Techniques included beatings, whippings, and near-asphyxiation with ropes. Mental torture was incessant. He was kept in solitary confinement, in total darkness, for four years, chained in heavy, abrasive leg irons for two years, malnourished due to a starvation diet, denied medical care, and deprived of letters from home in violation of the Geneva Convention.
Stockdale was locked in a bath stall and chained in leg irons to be tortured and beaten. His captors told him that he was to be paraded in public and made an example of. To keep from being exploited, Stockdale used a razor and slit his own scalp. Disfigured, the North Vietnamese wouldn’t be able to use Stockdale for their propaganda. When his captors tried to cover his head with a hat and salvage their exploitation, Stockdale used a stool to beat his own face swollen beyond recognition. As a result, the North Vietnamese gave up on trying to exploit him for propaganda.
I was curious what he did to disfigure himself
Were Vietnamese officials held accountable for war crimes?
Barry, I want to thank you for challenging us with every post. You force me to check my base instincts, my desire for self righteous justification, my selfishness, and my need to blame.
If I previously had seen Stockdale's comment about "the optimists," I have forgotten that moment. So I won't claim any originality to the following.
I have, for most of my life, described myself as a short term pessimist but long term optimist. Today may suck, and tomorrow and next week look bad or worse, but eventually things will improve, even work out to be great. Many times, events I perceived as bad at the time have turned out to have for the better later, even years later. This attitude has helped me through both bad times and good times. Never give up, never surrender, to quote from the movie "Galaxy Quest."
This has helped me partially adjust to the death of our daughter in September 2033. There will always be pain, and some regret for not retiring earlier to spend more time with her. The only consolation has been so many of her friends and associates telling my wife and I that she often talked about us in glowing terms. Love does not always conquer, but is surely an analgesic.
Chris, Thanks for enriching us with your heartfelt reflections. My deepest sympathies on your tragic loss.
Prof. B: greetings. I find myself opening my mail in anticipation of your writings. I take a dose of your medicine and it helps me direct my thoughts and actions. I usually read you two times;amazing what sinks in my head on the second pass.
Thanks and best regards
James Pair
James, I am grateful for your note of appreciation. Thoughtful, attentive readers make my efforts worthwhile and help us build a learning community. Thank you!
Stockdale wound up in Hoa Lo Prison – the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” — where he spent the next seven years under unimaginably brutal conditions. He was physically tortured no fewer than 15 times. Techniques included beatings, whippings, and near-asphyxiation with ropes. Mental torture was incessant. He was kept in solitary confinement, in total darkness, for four years, chained in heavy, abrasive leg irons for two years, malnourished due to a starvation diet, denied medical care, and deprived of letters from home in violation of the Geneva Convention.
Stockdale was locked in a bath stall and chained in leg irons to be tortured and beaten. His captors told him that he was to be paraded in public and made an example of. To keep from being exploited, Stockdale used a razor and slit his own scalp. Disfigured, the North Vietnamese wouldn’t be able to use Stockdale for their propaganda. When his captors tried to cover his head with a hat and salvage their exploitation, Stockdale used a stool to beat his own face swollen beyond recognition. As a result, the North Vietnamese gave up on trying to exploit him for propaganda.
I was curious what he did to disfigure himself
Were Vietnamese officials held accountable for war crimes?
Frankl writes beautifully
Very well written essay, subscribed
Alan, I appreciate the added insights and kind words
Barry, I want to thank you for challenging us with every post. You force me to check my base instincts, my desire for self righteous justification, my selfishness, and my need to blame.
John, And thanks in equal measure back to you for your courage in looking deeply and undefendedly sharing what you found.