On Fri, 31 Jan 2003, Ruhlen, Rachel Louise (UMC-Student) wrote: > I can't believe no one has started this topic yet, and as much as I hate > to do it I can't let it go any further. Doesn't anyone see > anything...well, ironic in comparing Sethra Lavode's lessons on war to > our current political situation? Remember the bit about "It's not the > aggressor who starts the war, it's the defender"? Yeah. I agree with > Vlad, I couldn't quite see that either. > Rachel I always thought Sethra's assessment to be accurate, actually, and today more than ever it puts me in mind of this quote from Theodore Roosevelt: "Peace is generally good in itself, but it is never the highest good unless it comes as the handmaiden of righteousness; and it becomes a very evil thing if it serves merely as a mask for cowardice and sloth, or as an instrument to further the ends of despotism or anarchy." paul e.