Re: Travis, Bush, Bin Laden, and Waterfalls

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: ~~~~~~~~~
: Thanks, Rich.  To those who do not think we should retaliate...nonviolence in this case could mean nonexistance.  Think about it.  God bless America, President Bush, the military, the heroes at "Ground Zero".

: Theresa
: ~~~~~~~~~~

: 
: Good morning All ...

: : As you have, hopefully, noticed, we have expanded the topic for discussion here on the Mohican Board. We hope that you find that acceptable. Still, this is a place to discuss all things Mohican ... the film, the novel, and all possible offshoots, any theme covered within this Web Site, and frontier history in general - the clash of cultures. In light of the unprecedented events of recent days, we have expanded this board's function to include those events, at least until the story has some sort of completion (ie: the war ends). Once you stop & think about it, it really isn't that far afield - this might be the SUPREME clash of cultures.

: : Now, I can imagine this won't be a 100% agreed upon proposition ... there may be some who would prefer it remain a haven, a retreat from the "real" world. It can still be that, but it just seems to me that the attacks on this country, the USA, of 9/11/01, are simply too astounding to ignore. I hope we can find a happy medium!

: : Listening to President Bush's speech the other night, I was immediately struck with the thought of how much he seemed to take on the tone of Col. William B. Travis, commander of the besieged Alamo in 1836. Oh sure, the situation is radically different, but is the posturing? The stance? Read this letter from Travis from within the compound before it fell:

: : "Commandancy of the Alamo
: : Bexar, Feby. 24th 1836

: : To the People of Texas &
: : all Americans in the world --

: : 
: : Fellow citizens & compatriots -- I am besieged by a
: : thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna --
: : I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannon-
: : ade for 24 hours & have not lost a man -- The enemy
: : has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the
: : garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken
: : -- I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, &
: : our flag still waves proudly from the walls -- I shall nev-
: : er surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name
: : of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the Amer--
: : ican character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch --
: : The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no
: : doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five
: : days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain
: : myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never
: : forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his coun-
: : try --
: : Victory or Death.
: : William Barret Travis
: : Lt. Col. Comdt.

: : 
: : P.S. The Lord is on our side -- When the enemy
: : appeared in sight we had not three bushels of corn --
: : We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bush-
: : els & got into the walls 20 or 30 heads of Beeves. 
: : Travis"

: : More obviously, Bush drew a line in the sand. Travis, whether literally or figureatively, did the same. I don't know, probably just me ...

: : As for Mr. bin Laden ... it is easy to compare him to some rouge Rob Roy, whacky William Wallace, or, perhaps more appropriately, Robin Hood? A Robin Hood gone terribly awry. I mean, one can see why he's a "hero" to some ... some of a different culture. When's the last time, though, that a Christian, or a Jew, or a Buddhist ... even of a fanatical bent ... crashed a jet into the World Trade Center?

: : This whole catastrophe, it appears from the ever-increasingly revealing evidence, might have been even worse ... more planes into more targets. But, as it is, well over 6,000 innocents are dead, an equal number were injured. These are astronomical numbers. A complex of buildings in New York City is no more. The Pentagon is severely damaged, and our economy even more so. If not for the heroic efforts of passengers on the 4th plane, we might be without our Vice-President right now, or maybe the Capitol Building. Who knows?

: : Because of the brutality of it all, because it was a direct attack on my homeland, because it is such a threat to our National security ... World security, in fact ... I have a very hard time understanding those already protesting the President's actions. This is not some far away land. This is right here, in your face. If we can't defend ourselves when attacked, we might as well disband our military. World peace, if it is ever achieved, is a long way off. bin Laden has attacked us now several times. We've yet to seriously retaliate. The terror gets worse. We have to do this. The future of the World does indeed depend on it. And it has to be on the scale of the President's plan, for there are other bin Laden's out there. Do we want thousands of other innocents killed? Of course not. No one wants that. But, we didn't start this. If that kind of death results - and, in fact, it already has - we have only bin Laden, and his ilk, to blame. It has to end, somehow. Pacifism, unfortunately, will not be the answer. Benjamin Netanyahu has it correct. That is interpretated as weakness & further emboldens those who already are far too bold. We truly must strike with all our power while we have the will. This is good VS evil. The lines are so clear ...

: : Anyway ...

: : The photo above is, as you all know, of Linville Falls. Movie magic makes them into something they are not. The upper falls are filmed, from nearly water level. The cast walks along the ledge, appearing to enter a cave, when actually they'd be walking into thin air. The huge lower cascade is computer generated. Pretty darn tricky ... cut to Bridal Veil ... cut to warehouse set ... and you have the rest of the scene.

: : As you might imagine, our work on the web site's related activities has ground to a halt - much like the rest of our life - as we try to fully absorb and come to grips with the realities all around us. We will attempt to carry on with business, as per President Bush's directive ...

: : Will begin to move forward in a bit ... I'll start by taking in a day of football. But, my heart is still buried under the rubble with 6,000 plus souls. I grieve with the families. Too, I have found inspiration from the heroes of this tale ... someday, to someone, perhaps it'll all make sense.


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