"Eternal vigillance is the true cost of freedom" (Thomas the Rhymer quoted that above)

Yes... OR... "Eternal vigilance is the true indication of paranoia, fear, and hatred."

Either statement could be equally apt...depending on what one is being vigilant about, how one is applying one's vigilance, upon whom one is applying it, and in what manner, and upon what justification.

The Nazis were eternally vigilant. So was Stalin. So is Israel. So is Al-Queda. So is Saddam. So is the CIA. So was the KGB. So was Al Capone. In other words, eternal vigilance can also be seen as the true measure of dictatorship, oppression, crimial behaviour and/or madness.

My, aren't they an agreeable bunch, these eternally vigilant people?

Imagine the fun involved in living under the rule of the eternally vigilant. Gotta love it, eh? I'm glad I'm in Canada, where we are still only mildly vigilant...and yes, if Al Queda bombs Toronto, I will STILL be glad I am in Canada where we are only mildly vigilant, and I hope we will never descend to the incredible fear-mongering I see happening south of the border. Our PM is making the usual noises about Canada's next military contribution to the next multi-national folly, but that's just cos he knows who funds the corporations who fund the political parties who fund guys like him.

BTW, I have always been a mildly vigilant person. This has made me harmless and likeable, and kept me young.

The eternally vigilant are usually a curse upon their neighbours both near and far in this ever smaller world we live in, because they have never considered remedying the essential and original problems...human disunity and inequality of opportunity. The eternally vigilant in my school were the bullies...

The human race is one family. A family that doesn't share the basics equally amongst themeselves is dysfunctional and unjust. There will be further conflict and bloodshed until that is addressed realistically, which it hasn't been, thus far.

All those shedding the blood (the "vigilant") will believe they are doing it on behalf of a suffering humanity. They see themselves as holy warriors. All of them. Even those who claim to be atheists. Makes no difference what they call themselves...they are all, on a conscious level, "defending" what they consider holy, just, and true in their own terms. Every attacker believes he is defending what is right.

Better then, to focus not on what is "right" or "wrong" (subjective value judgements) but on what is beneficial to all concerned: To live and let live.

The only game worth playing, in the end, is a game in which everyone wins. Try telling that to a competitive society...which has founded itself on the very principles of disunity and survival of the "fittest" (meaning: the rich, the well-armed, and the most ruthless).

I've always been into aiming for perfection...never been into competition. I compete with my own past performance, and that's it.

- LH