Something funny (and I think relevant) at work today

[The Straight Story]

We got an email to all from someone about a ring that was found in the cafeteria. I replied back to the sender (she often is the one person who emails us all about storms coming, etc) and asked "Was the person who found it named Bilbo Baggins?" --- She replied back "No, it was so-n-so from the maintenance department".

I guess she did not get the joke :)

I have been reading the LOTR (am on the Two Towers book right now) and see parallels to here and now.

Battles once fought are being so once again. The people involved in them are mostly different.

You never really win forever, you only win for some time - and then others will come along wanting to take it all away.

I used to collect (and still do, albeit in pdf format) books from the 1800's. One of my favorites is 'Egypt, Sinai, and the Holy land, the handwriting of God' - http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015069385733 (one of several sites where you can get it for free).

As the author set out on his journey, at the cusp of the civil war, he wrote: "Political difference and sectional jealousies have long been working like leaven in all parts of the land. Now the fires of contention, long smothered, seem about to break out in one wild blaze of excitement. The first blow has been struck for the dissolution of this sacred Union, formed in the wisdom and cemented by the blood of our forefathers"

It has always been, in all countries, and always will be that there are battles based on politics, philosophy, religion. Even in the LOTR we see (more so in reading the books than watching the movies) that the things which were going on occurred previously: we see how some rose up to fight before and how they now were again.

Whether it be an election, a law passed, etc we have been here before and will be again. How we handle these challenges each generation defines us.

Either you retreat and give up to despair, or you take up the battle - whether it be crossing a big chunk of middle earth and heading to certain doom or organizing phone banks, emails, supporting each other, etc.

If future generations look back and see us give up - then what hope have they? We did not give up before, and in the darkest hours of the world in WW2 we rose up and fought and gave it our all.

You only fail when you give up the fight. 'They' only win when you stop believing and fighting.

The days may seem gloomy as you slog through marshes with a guide named Gollum. When, for all you know, those who started the journey with you are gone. As that ring hangs about your neck and weighs you down it might seem like it is easier to just give up.

Don't. Just take one more step. And soon you will find that others are there to help and join your fight - whether you see them or not.

Believe it or not: We'll be there. Lastly some songs for you:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-10_iPus9g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKS_yJl_x70

[mahina]

1. Thanks man

aloha. K & R brother.

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. I thought I was the only one who collected books from the 1800s!

I get most of mine from archive.org, usually in pdf format, and put them on a disc when I have enough.
Love the old cooking and household books, ( they used to eat sparrows!)
and farming stuff, but their is, as you say, a lot of political lessons to learned....and re-learned...and learned yet again.

[The Straight Story]

3. Some of the medical books from then are a trip

Drinking and cocaine seemed to cure all ills. Oh wait, they still do :)

[riverbendviewgal]

4. Ok, I won't give up

but lately I was thinking of it. I am American born but Canadian since 1969. and thankful I am.

I thought Obama would lead the world out of the swamps. Lately I have felt it is not the case.

Anyway, it is good to see you read and I have read LOTR too. My mother told me once I was weird because I would go to my room and read.

Just watched an excellent doc movie on HBO about the Canadian Band Rush....Awesome and has anyone ever listened or read the lyrics? They were a very well read band, and didn't have the reputation of groupies and drugs. and they are NOT Ayn Rand followers, read wiki.

I love the last you tube song you posted. Reminds me of my late son and late husband. The actor that plays Wil reminds me of my late husband. He was a man who did what he believed in.....He was a CO, draft dodger and then deserter...We came to Canada Woodstock weekend 1969...He didn't believe that the Viet Nam "war" was justified. Although he tried to get a non combat assignment but alas he was given AIT. We must take a stand and do what we believe in and he did.

We Canadians shake our heads at what half of Americans think. I even have a brother who hated Obama because Obama is black. Another cousin would like to see Obama end up like JFK....BUT you all on DU give me hope.

May America survive this..

[Motown_Johnny]

5. If you haven't read The Silmarillion yet I suggest you do so

after Return Of The King