Latest Posts
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The Sad Lesson of Iraq
The news today of fourteen US soldiers killed in one engagement in Haditha, together with the story that a journalist, Steven Vincent, was murdered in Basra, reminds us of just how badly the American occupation of Iraq is… Continue reading
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A Theory of Everything? No Way!
An article in today’s NYT about a conference on string theory caught my eye and roiled my Taoist sensibilities. Perhaps it is the hubris of referring to a "theory of everything" that gets my goat. I mean, really,… Continue reading
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What to do about inequality?
This story on the front page of today’s Washington Post describes just one of the many riots and demonstrations that have broken out in China in recent months. In most cases, the social unrest is driven by the … Continue reading
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Sunday “Modern Love” Blogging
Another of our continuing responses to the NYT’s "Modern Love" column. This week, Kevin Cahillane, discusses his alcoholism and wonders whether, without it, he would ever have forged a relationship with the woman who became his… Continue reading
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Friday I Ching blogging: IRA peace deal
Three of you made suggestions for I Ching consultations: Jon C asked about the North Korean talks; "Little Ronnie" wanted to ask about the New York Yankees "unfair" advantage in the baseball market; and Aodhan suggested we consider… Continue reading
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Sun Tzu and Guantanamo
It is now clear that military lawyers worked hard to try to prevent the abuse of prisoners by US forces at Guantanamo Bay and elsewhere. There were good legal and moral reasons given for avoiding the harshest interrogation… Continue reading
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I don’t think this is what Chuang Tzu had in mind
From Reuters: A German man’s severed finger traveled 60 kilometers by rail after its owner trapped his hand in the door trying to board a train at the last minute, police said Tuesday. From Chuang Tzu:… Continue reading
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Now that I have your attention…
Any suggestions for this week’s Friday I Ching blogging? I will happily consult the oracle on any question you think important, but it has to be a big question of public concern… Continue reading
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“War on Terror:” What’s in a name?
This story has been all over the place: The Bush administration is retooling its slogan for the fight against Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups, pushing the idea that the long-term struggle is as much an ideological battle… Continue reading
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Confucius was right: young love disrupts your ch’i
I found this in China Daily: Medical researchers in the United States have now confirmed what everyone has always suspected: lovers are crazy. By doing brain scans of college students in love, they found the brains of students… Continue reading
The Useless Tree 