"When the tides of history start to turn and an empire begins losing its power, the tough get going and order the tide to turn back while the more philosophical lower their expectations and try to go with the flow..." writes Ellin Stein in her forthcoming history of the National Lampoon entitled That's Not Funny, That's Sick.  Ms. Stein is referring to America's loss of the Vietnam War, but it can be applied to many different historical situations.

How do I react to such things?  Well, let's put it this way: this week I start my second set of Buddhist classes this year.  The classes are called "Contentment in Everyday Life."  Well see if it takes.