A Tragedy in One Act.

Nostalgia is a funny thing. I remember a time when it seemed, to my limited political IQ, the worst thing I had ever heard a president say was “I am not a crook.” Of course, Nixon did not have Twitter so he had time to think of what his statement should be. And, “I am not a crook” was the best defense he could muster. I kind of miss those days. Days when our president spent time trying to explain that he was better than we thought, those were good days.

Even the days when our president stood in front of the world’s population and threatened "You're either with us or against us in the fight against terror." It had a vaguely Montague, Capulet, or probably closer to a Hatfield, McCoy feel to the statement, and I was personally horrified that a president would say something like that. Even worse when he dragged our country into two wars we had no hope of winning. Sending America’s children to die in foreign lands for suspect reasons, based on flimsy, probably manufactured evidence. But, it almost seems a benign statement today.

Today’s America is run by a playground bully, who maintains a constant stream of abusive, threatening language, via Twitter. He wants to start an unwinnable trade war with our largest trading partner, threats to pull out of a treaty designed to keep atomic weapons from Iran, and spews a constant stream of insults and accusations against our closest neighbor to the south and our third largest trading partner.

And now a tweet aimed at Russia threatening missiles and destruction, all in the name of humanitarian concern. It rings a little hollow in light of his threats to deport, build walls, and block refugees. He is a caring, concerned person as long as it involves missiles, bombs, threats, intimidation and empty rhetoric.

At least, I hope it is empty. Imagine the chaos if we actually start targeting Russian protected sites in the Middle East. It would only be one more mistake in a region with a rich history of pernicious Western decisions. But, it might be the worst one. If you think, even briefly, the Russians would not see this as an act of aggression you are kidding yourself. And if you think, for a second, that Russia would not retaliate then you are a fool.

And, if you don’t think a war between a county with Putin as premier and a country with Trump as president would quickly and irreversibly grow beyond any hope of control or relation to the initial cause then you are lucky. To be that blind in times so perilous and close to the abyss is a blessing.

Working Out, A Great Idea.

Mike, my cousin, or as we know him in the family, Beautiful Mike, or as some of his Facebook Friends seem to know him, Stubborn Mike, asked for "gym motivation tips."  He is trying to find a way to talk himself into going back to the gym and working out.  My tip was to tell everybody he knows he is going and he is going to make them all pay dearly when he reaches sufficient macho, masculine beefy, testosterone fueled meanness.  Only part of it was a joke.

Threatening people is a bad idea, just read the "Guns of August."  But, telling everybody you are going to start working out is a great idea.  When I decided to quit smoking I told everybody, then I really had to give it my best effort.  Nobody wants to answer the question, "how are you today?" with;

"Oh, I am a miserable failure, I tried to quit smoking but only lasted for a couple of hours before I rushed out, bought a carton and three disposable lighters, (one glows in the dark, just in case) my nerves were shot, and I was an emotional basket case." 

"Wow, I am very sorry to hear that.  Do you want me to leave room for cream, or sugar in your coffee, sir?"  That is so humiliating, trust me, I know. 

So telling people you are working out is a good way to get yourself to the gym.  After a few visits it is easy.  You want to go, it is like an addiction.  It makes you feel good.  It is hard not to go.  Last night was Monday, and I had not been there since Friday, and I was happy walking in the door.  

Unfortunately, it was packed with people and I had to use a recumbent exercise bike.  It was my first time on that machine, with luck it will be my last.  As soon as an elliptical machine was open I made the move.  Having hit my target heart rate twice on each machine, and maintaining it for quite a while, I felt good.  

I added at least thirty pounds to each of the resistance machines, and tried a new exercise.  Instead of pusing the levers forward on the Pec Fly machine you face the other direction and pull backward, working on something in your upper back, or shoulders, or something else, I am not sure.  It did not go very well.  Either I was doing something drastically wrong, or need a lot of work on the upper back, shoulder, or other portion.  

Working out, if done correctly, is also a great educational tool.  Last night the podcast covered the ancient Assyrian army.  A lethal, efficient, brutal, efficient organization.  Assyria was the first Middle Eastern Empire to maintain a standing army.  Before that it was more like a seasonal gig for farmers in the off season.  Idle hands are the devils plaything, right?  So, put the farmers to work attacking another country.  Plant, grow, harvest, invade (or defend), repeat.

Assyria was also one of the first armies to master siege craft.  Walls were the weapons of choice for most City States of the time, and they were mostly successful.  Not against the Assyrians, though.

Anyway, whatever it takes, get started, that is the hard part.  Continuing is easy, fun, and will help you live a longer, better life.  And, if you do it right, you might even learn something.