Thoughts Born of Tragedy ...

..."history may judge us to be the real bully if, in the our rush to punish someone, we act in ways contrary to our core beliefs and values as a nation"...

Speaking as one who is closer to the end of life than the beginning, the observation that "those who do not know or understand history, are doomed to repeat it" takes on new relevance for me. Events of the last week have given us all reason to reflect and try to sort out meaningful lessons.

Here are a few observations I believe have meaning for all of us... both privately and in our business affairs:

BULLIES DON'T WIN...

Throughout history the bullies of the world have always lost. Gandhi was right! They may bloody our nose with a sneak attack or a lucky punch but, in the long run, they are always defeated by the forces of good and right. Tyrants down through the ages have had to learn this lesson the hard way. The Hitler's of the world have never prevailed. Neither have predatory corporations or governments.

COALITIONS WORK...SHORT TERM...

Building coalitions are effective to achieve goals...short term. They rarely work long term.

While it is very possible (and desirable) to bring divergent groups together to battle a common foe...that same coalition will decay when the mutual adversary is overcome. Disparate groups will melt away as their own self-interest begins to resurface.

This is as true in business and private organizations as it is in public and world affairs.

BULLIES & TYRANTS DON'T ALWAYS CARRY KNIVES...

Modern bullies wear designer clothing and use computers. They understand the power of politics, sound bites, and photo opportunities. They are masters at using the tools of mass communications to advance sinister goals. Yes...this includes the use of the internet.

They run large corporations, foundations, financial institutions, think-tanks, and hold our highest public offices. They are subtle. They are deceptive. They are dangerous because, like Hitler, they understand the human need for security and order. They understand how to make actions that steal our freedom... appear to be logical and necessary.

They are comfortable and proficient working with hidden agendas which promote their own self-interests. They are practiced at turning dramatic tragic events, or temporary conditions, into building blocks for their own personal financial gain or extensions of their power base.

The antidote against these poisonous souls... is a mechanism for totally free, uncensored, exchange of ideas and thoughts... the internet!

BEWARE OF KNEE-JERK REACTIONS...

Never has careful, measured, thought been more important than now.

When a bully bloodies our nose our first reaction is righteous anger and indignation. This is both normal and right. We should be angry. We should feel indignation.

This same anger and indignation, however, can lead to a rashness of response which plays right into the hands of the forces stacked against us.

If we attack a perceived foe, without indisputable evidence of their guilt and culpability, we have become no better than they.

Indeed, in the eyes of the world, history may judge us to be the real bully if, in the our rush to punish someone, we act in ways contrary to our core beliefs and values as a nation.

The world is watching. We now have the opportunity to prove what a great nation we truly are. It will take patience, great judgement, and a careful measuring of the facts before we act, if we are to be what we have always purported to be... a nation grounded in fairness, freedom, respect for human rights, responsible judgement, and real justice.

Editorial Commentary Written--9/17/2001 ?Copyright 2001-2005 Thom Reece All Rights Reserved

Thom Reece is CEO of Online Marketing Group, a Hawaii based direct response marketing and web development firm. http://www.e-comprofits.com , http://www.e-comprofits.com ,

licensed cleaning services Park Ridge ..
In The News:

Scammers create fake Evite invitations that mimic legitimate event emails, requiring users to verify senders and use antivirus software for protection.
The new Apple Watch hypertension feature passively monitors blood pressure patterns over 30 days using sensors to detect chronic high blood pressure signs.
Chrome extension spyware disguised as a free VPN service highlights security risks after it captured private browsing data from trusted sites.
New research shows how fatty acids in cooking oil can safely dissolve and recover silver from circuit boards without harmful chemicals or environmental damage.
The Fox News AI newsletter gives you information on the latest AI technology advancements, and about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Anthropic investigates alarming AI abuse case where hacker automated entire cybercrime campaign using Claude, stealing sensitive data from defense and healthcare firms.
TikTok, Meta and YouTube restrict Charlie Kirk shooting videos with age gates and warnings while X faces criticism for allowing continued circulation.
Cybercriminals use fake troubleshooting websites to trick Mac users into running terminal commands that install Shamos malware through ClickFix tactics.
San Francisco startup Fable launches Showrunner, an AI platform dubbed the 'Netflix of AI' that generates animated episodes from text descriptions with Amazon support.
Apple raised iPhone prices for some models despite receiving tariff relief from President Donald Trump, with the new lineup starting at $799 for the base model.
A two-story 3D concrete printed home in Western Australia demonstrates faster construction methods that could reshape American housing amid rising costs.
Credit scores remain important during retirement for insurance rates and housing applications, while seniors become prime targets for identity theft and financial scams.
Scammers now send unexpected packages with QR codes that redirect victims to fraudulent websites or download malicious software to steal sensitive information.
Meeting AI tools record private conversations alongside work discussions, creating privacy risks that can be managed with proper settings and awareness.
Hotel privacy concerns are valid but rare, with methods to detect hidden tech using smartphone flashlights, mirror tests and scanning apps.
Improve your Wi-Fi speed and reliability with 10 simple router optimization tips that don't require special apps or expensive subscriptions.
A Columbia University breach exposed names, Social Security numbers and academic records of nearly 869,000 people, with notifications beginning in August.
Rental car drivers use AI-powered apps like Proofr to protect themselves from unfair damage fees as major companies deploy automated inspection tools.
Fox News' AI newsletter brings you the latest on technology advancements around artificial intelligence.
OnTrac data breach between April 13-15, 2025, exposed personal information of over 40,000 people including Social Security numbers and medical records.
A woman named Wika announces her engagement to an AI chatbot sparking worldwide debate about virtual relationships and technology.
The notorious people search site National Public Data relaunches despite a previous breach affecting 3 billion individuals, raising fresh privacy concerns.
Revolutionary TRAUMAGEL gel controls life-threatening bleeding from gunshot wounds and traumatic injuries, helping first responders prevent prehospital deaths.
Protect your home network by enabling proper encryption, creating strong passwords, checking connected devices and using VPN and antivirus software.
The Navy's solar-powered Skydweller drone flew nonstop for 73 hours in Mississippi, proving renewable energy can power long-endurance military missions.

Battling Societys Cancer: Unemployment

The official figures are staggering: 35% of the workforce -... Read More

The Project For A New American Century

Let the reader be reminded, that this document we are... Read More

News Media Misguided or Just Plain Liars?

Last week, the media coverage called the airplane crash in... Read More

911 Could Have Been Prevented, Was It Bush?s Fault?

September 11, 2001 could have been prevented. We could have... Read More

In Defense of the Feds Vs Katrina

I, too, am saddened by the disaster in New Orleans... Read More

Death and Destruction and the Run Up to D Day

This is the third in a short series of four... Read More

Workaholism, Leisure and Pleasure

The official working week is being reduced to 35 hours... Read More

Lyndon Johnson - The Day After Dallas

J. Edgar Hoover and LBJ used to enjoy watching Hoover's... Read More

Is Inflation Harmful

Q. Should the Government be concerned if the CPI rises... Read More

Steel Tubing Tariffs Prove that NAFTA Still Needs Work

The North American Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was implemented on January... Read More

How to Deal with Poverty

A SOLUTION FOR EMPLOYMENT PROBLEMS TO AID IN THE FIGHT... Read More

PA Congressional Pay Hike Raises Eyebrows

While many Pennsylvanians are struggling to figure out how they... Read More

Continuing Change in the Offshore World

The offshore financial centres have been forced in recent years... Read More

Elliot Spitzer Blows Chunks

This is the beginning of the end for the man... Read More

Eminent Domain Suggested as Cost Saving Measure in DC

Washington DC council member David Catania actually suggested that the... Read More

World Power Brokers Readying for WWIII

Einstein when ask how did he believe WWIII would be... Read More

What are the benefits of Nuclear War again; I must have missed that point?

Indian and Pakistan and nuclear war. What does the world... Read More

An Overlooked Plan for Bush, Kerry, Democrats, Republicans, and Healthcare Costs

In an effort to assist our political leadership it would... Read More

Poverty in America: Over 35 Million Living Below the Poverty Line

The problem of poverty in America comes as a surprise.... Read More

Al-Qaida has Nukes

Many believe Al-Qaida already has nukes in the United States... Read More

Bureaucracy Suffocating the Flow of Transportation

We are slowing the transportation flows of our civilization by... Read More

Ethanol, Water, Pollution, North Korea and Free Trade

Ethanol is a great way to produce fuel, great fuel... Read More

An Environmental Voting Guide for US State Elections

In these times when states are suffering extreme downward pressure... Read More

The Economic Giant-- A Closer Look at China

IT'S NO LONGER NEWS THAT CHINA IS BECOMING A MAJOR... Read More

What is the Filibuster-Breaking Nuclear Option?

What is the so-called "nuclear option" that Senator Bill Frist... Read More

on demand house cleaning Arlington Heights ..