Well, since I’ve decided to experiment with expanding the scope of this blog into some current things that I have avoided here in the past,I had a thought this morning while I was crawling around in the mud trying to mitigate the glorious foliage of weeds that has invaded the flower beds here…

Why is it that weeds flourish when the plants you are trying to grow struggle?

Sorry, that’s off topic.

Back on track now.  Last night I watched a lecture by the late J. Rufus Fears, a well-known professor, on the Lessons of History.  I thought I’d share with you his 10 laws on the lessons of history, because whatever insight I may (or may not) have on current events, is influenced heavily by two things: History and the Bible, and my next post along these lines will be a little about the Bible…

Professor Fears’ 10 Laws of the Lessons of History:

1. We don’t learn from history.

2. We are not immune to the lessons of history because of our science and technology.

3. Freedom is not a universal value.

A. There are 3 types of freedom in history:

1) National freedom

2) Political freedom

3) Individual freedom

Sidebar: When I’m not is a hurry, I really need to figure out how to do an outline on WP, sorry about the bad spacingi

4. Power is the universal value.

5. The Middle East is the graveyard of empires.

(He defines the Middle East as being from Afghanistan to Morocco)

6. America shares the destiny of the great democracies, republics and superpowers of the past.

7. Religion and spirituality are the most profound motivators in human history, along with the lust for power.

8. Great nations and empires rise and fall because of human decisions.

9. In times of crisis, great leaders must emerge.

10. America has charted a unique role in history.

To these points, he added these things that I thought were interesting:

A. A great leaders (or statesmen) have these attributes:

1. Bedrock principles

2. A moral compass

3. A vision

4. The ability to create a consensus to achieve that vision

B. Global trade and economic ties do not prevent war.

I hope that you will give these things some thought and join me when I post my next item on this general subject.  You may agree with me or disagree, but either way you will get a fair idea of where I’m coming from when I post on current events.

It seems only fair to put all of the cards on the table…