Martial Arts and Politics

I have studied the martial arts for many years. In my studies I have found that almost uniformly in the Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Okinawan traditions the concept that an interrelationship exists between the active and passive principles as examplified by the by the Chinese Taoist principle of the Yin and Yang, its Korean variant Um and Yang or it Japanese incarnation of Inyodo.

This concept has a practical application within the political realm. I believe that the cyclical nature of politics lends credence to such an application.
Indeed if an individual examines the history of the shifts in power within the Congress, and the Presidency a clear cyclical pattern emerges.

In light of the constant shifts within politics. I would argue that a successful and durable political strategy, is a strategy employed by a party that recognizes the importance of these cycles, and utilizes their time in the minority to reconsolidate and marshal their forces anew, while acquiring the assets necessary to successfully transition from one cycle to another.

Some may interpret this as advocating a complete state of passivity while, being in the minority. This view is inaccurate because, neither principle can effectively govern without the presence of the other.

As such I would contend that the minority party should focus the majority of its activities on retrenchment, consolidation and acquisition of new assets. At this point it seems prudent in my opinion to choose battles with the majority selectively, being careful to avoid a wholesale disengagement and retreat from the press outlets controlled by the majority party, while, embracing only those outlets sympathetic to the positions adopted by the minority. Such an exclusive strategy could nullify efforts to expand the base to draw in more moderates and independent minded people like Senators Barrasso Chambliss, Collins, Hagan, Shelby, and Snowe. It would also negate Chairman Steele's overtures with respect to minority groups

Tea

If you are cold, tea will warm you. If you are too heated, it will cool you. If you are depressed, it will cheer you. If you are excited, it will calm you. William Ewart Gladstone

I find that in my present difficulties that tea has proved to be a valuable relaxant. Indeed in my current state only long conversations with my beloved are more calming than a well made cup of tea.

Millvina Dean 1912-2009 and Bertram Dean 1910-1992

The death on 31 May 2009 of Elizabeth Gladys Millvina Dean aged ninety-seven, was both ironic and befitting given her status as the last survivor of the tragedy, in the sense that she died on the ninety-eighth anniversary of the launch of RMS Titanic which occurred on 31 May 1911.

Her elder brother Bertram Vere Dean also died on an anniversary related to the RMS Titanic disaster. Bertram died on 14 April 1992 at the age of eighty-one. He died on the eightieth anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic

It is ironic that the deaths of the Dean's should occur on anniversaries related to a ship that affected the beginning of their lives so profoundly.