Posted on 03/22/2006 1:25:07 PM PST by the anti-liberal
Feel free to make additions to this 'body of knowledge'.
" Ill end by telling a story.
There was once a civilization that was the greatest in the world.
It was able to create a continental super-state that stretched from ocean to ocean, and from northern climes to tropics and deserts. Within its dominion lived hundreds of millions of people, of different creeds and ethnic origins.
One of its languages became the universal language of much of the world, the bridge between the peoples of a hundred lands. Its armies were made up of people of many nationalities, and its military protection allowed a degree of peace and prosperity that had never been known. The reach of this civilizations commerce extended from Latin America to China, and everywhere in between.
And this civilization was driven more than anything, by invention. Its architects designed buildings that defied gravity. Its mathematicians created the algebra and algorithms that would enable the building of computers, and the creation of encryption. Its doctors examined the human body, and found new cures for disease. Its astronomers looked into the heavens, named the stars, and paved the way for space travel and exploration.
Its writers created thousands of stories. Stories of courage, romance and magic. Its poets wrote of love, when others before them were too steeped in fear to think of such things.
When other nations were afraid of ideas, this civilization thrived on them, and kept them alive. When censors threatened to wipe out knowledge from past civilizations, this civilization kept the knowledge alive, and passed it on to others.
While modern Western civilization shares many of these traits, the civilization Im talking about was the Islamic world from the year 800 to 1600, which included the Ottoman Empire and the courts of Baghdad, Damascus and Cairo, and enlightened rulers like Suleiman the Magnificent.
Although we are often unaware of our indebtedness to this other civilization, its gifts are very much a part of our heritage. The technology industry would not exist without the contributions of Arab mathematicians. Sufi poet-philosophers like Rumi challenged our notions of self and truth. Leaders like Suleiman contributed to our notions of tolerance and civic leadership.
And perhaps we can learn a lesson from his example: It was leadership based on meritocracy, not inheritance. It was leadership that harnessed the full capabilities of a very diverse populationthat included Christianity, Islamic, and Jewish traditions.
This kind of enlightened leadership leadership that nurtured culture, sustainability, diversity and courage led to 800 years of invention and prosperity.
In dark and serious times like this, we must affirm our commitment to building societies and institutions that aspire to this kind of greatness. More than ever, we must focus on the importance of leadership bold acts of leadership and decidedly personal acts of leadership.
With that, Id like to open up the conversation and see what we, collectively, believe about the role of leadership."
Carly never responded. But I am sure she reacted to the letter, because -- I cannot prove this but it is extremely coincidental -- HP began an advertising campaign where a cross in the form of a plus sign was used as a symbol. This happened after I published the letter and it spread like wild fire throughout the internet.
You are more than welcome to share this letter with all of your friends.
I get so frustrated that so many people don't have a clue what we are up against, most especially the liberals who would be the first to loose their heads.
Thank you and a bump to the top.
Bump to the top.
Thanks,
Greg Adams
Brownsville, TX
Why are we letting facts get in the way?
I'm not sure there would be anything on that list.
The more the merrier, as they say (and the more informative).
Would it be possible to get that fixed?
Thanks
Yeah well.......l'il Ms. Fiorina got her lovely little ass bounced out of the Big Office, too. She was a twit; always has been.
So much for her ...as usual, uninformed..........opinions.
For some reason on the blog forum this just isn't getting the legs I thought it would. Bump to the top.
Good question.........
I guess folks are just more interested in 'news' than 'blogs'.
I'll continue to post the letter in relevant threads, you (and anyone else) are welcome to as well, should you choose to do so.
Bump
Incidently, 145+ have at least viewed this thread so far at this time, even if only a few have posted.
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