17 April 2006

Resolve

I don't know what to worry about this morning. Prioritization is tough. By turns, I have been alarmed by an sharp piece of analysis on an argument that the loony government of Iran will not only acquire the Bomb, but use it expeditiously on Israel to cement leadership of a resurgent Islam.

That occupied me until late Sunday afternoon when the lovely Leslie Stahl of Sixty Minutes walked me through the demographic time-bomb in China, which is arriving at the station as we speak, courtesy of the draconian One Child policy instituted in the 1980s. The ratio is now 120 males for each 100 females of marriageable age.

You know what happens when there is a surplus of young men as well as I do. It makes me shudder at the possibilities. Robert Kaplan first explored the possibilities a few years ago, and lawlessness, violence and crime are only the start.

The Times this morning offered a potpourri of unsettling prospects this morning, and flinched when they announced it was Tax Day, until I realized that I filed long ago, the checks have cleared, and the Feds will not be knocking at my door until next year.

Probably.

The upside is that I have wits and health enough to worry about things. But I was distracted enough that I returned to a project that has been lingering on my desk for months. Great Grandfather was on his grand tour on this day, just over a century ago. Copying his spidery hand into digital format, scanning his Kodak photos and postcards is a therapeutic diversion from worrying about the Fall of the West: hoards of young Chinese men, or mad mullahs armed with nuclear weapons.

Great Grandfather was worried mostly about getting a “good night's rest” and have “a good breakfast.” He appears to have been a devout man, and serene in the vision of the future. Here is what he was doing on this day, 102 years back:

Basle Germany 1.17.03

The farmers go out to their fields to work the land- saw many plowing with cows saw farmers putting Liquid Manure on the fields. Also passed through the Hop growing districts- saw strong fortifications at Strasburg and other places- today was cold, April sort- sunshine & squalls alternating all the way from Basle to Berne. Before reaching Oelshausen, the distant snow-capped mountains were fine- passed some vineyard districts. The only one in our compartment in the car was an Italian from Glasgow to Naples.

Reached Basle 12.50 noon- took rapid drive of 30 mins and saw much of Basle. Took photo of River, etc. Bridge, etc. From Basle the ride by train is beautiful, as is ascends the Alps- two weeks ago it was warm weather here but we arrived in unusually cold weather, the trees in blossom, and much of the ground covered with fresh snow. Seldom snowed so late. From Basle to Berne we rode with two elegant Swiss ladies, cultured and refined, one spoke good English and we had a very pleasant ride together. Reached Berne at 4 p.m. Friday.

4/17 Hotel Bellevue, Took drive 1 _ hours, the old part of town with sidewalks and stones. Sender Arcade is quaint, and the new parts are modern and beautiful. This is the seat of the Swiss Government, with fine National Buildings- took several photos.

4/17/2006. Big Pink. Finished transcribing second notebook. Arrived back in the future. 7.30. Enjoyed my dinner. Took brisk tour around residence, examined housework needing to be done. Was informed of imbalance in Chinese population and of Persian developments. Resolved to redouble faith. Engaged carriage, toured neighborhood. Bed 10.00 p.m. Enjoyed good night's rest. Ready for a good breakfast.

Copyright 2006 Vic Socotra
www.vicsocotra.com

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