Sitting Dry at the Edge of a Hurricane

NMB, Florida November 5, 2001 A.H. Schectman

THINKING ALLOWED
Essays on Issues, Ideas and Reflections on the Times. Published Now and
Then. Opinions Pro or Con Are Welcome.

SITTING DRY AT THE EDGE OF A HURRICANE MUSING
Here I am, sitting dry at the edge of a hurricane, musing and thinking
about a lot of things. One is of the two messages I received this morning.
Diane Becza, wife of my former colleague Julius who died running in the
Marine marathon in Washington, wrote of her life and kids. She doesn't
write much but when she does it is packed full of good stuff about her
people. We need such information. The other was from Dan Ricker who writes
and publishes a newsletter about local Florida politics. He goes to
meetings and tells you things you need to know. He decided he liked
THINKING ALLOWED and has sent me his newsletters and writes comments on my
writings. Neat!

I am also thinking of my operation scheduled for tomorrow. I am ambivalent
about it. I fear the knife wielded even by doctors. But, I also reason it
is a minor kind of cutting and will cure the trigger thumb that seems to
feel a lot better now. My doctor says it is nothing to fear. Of course, he
doesn't have my fear genes.

What I thought of momentarily, during my reading of the NY Times this
morning, was the advice given us by people who are sympathetic to those who
attacked us. They advise us to use "self'-restraint". This is the kind of
advice the U.S. State Department gives to Israel every time it is attacked
by "terrorists." In other words, don't react hastily and curb your policy
of - "You attack me; you expect to get attacked by me." Have you noticed
that the nations in other parts of the world seem to think they have been
attacked by the American economy, the American way of life and the American
freedom to dress and think of marvelous entertainments on film and TV? They
tell us that we should use "self-restraint" when we try to punish those
responsible for the September 11, 2001 attacks by four hijacked airplanes.
They say that we should use "self-restraint" when people die from handling
mail sent to us anonymously.

I like to sit dry on the edge of a hurricane. I do not like to think that
tomorrow at this time I will be on my way to someone who wants to cut my
hand. Carol's Evaluation: 10 out of 10.