LOCOMOTION

After all of the discussion above and your unabashed sharing of the original I am more impressed with what you have done with this. At first glance my brain said "heavy metal". The image feels like the massive metal machine that these locomotives are. I'm not trying to blow smoke up your...! I just think you really accomplished what you set out to do.

 

Dick

Thanks a lot. I have had very limited time lately to spend on Pnet, so it's certainly a pleasure to see an encouraging remark when I dial in. And, while I'm very grateful that you feel it is successful, I want you to know that I've gotten pretty good at accepting all opinions favorable or otherwise. So, always speak your mind, it will always be appreciated.

 

This image says America, the America that we all aspire, yet at the same time, fear to become. It has awesome power, grit and determination like Jeff said, broad shoulders like Chicago, intimidating mien like the Grand Canyon, timeless beauty like Yosemite, and permanence like the Mark Twain's Mississippi. It is iconic, in other words.

 

Yet, like America, there is a certain bite to its beauty, a certain hint of the jackboot, of the irresistible force, like rolling thunder across the great plains, the quest for conquest, for acquisition of territory, manifest destiny. It is at once Yosemite and Mount Rushmore, one a testament to the hands of time, the other the impatience and impetulance of man. Like a chainsaw through wood, it does not seek your understanding, but you had better recognize that it is not asking questions, but making demands.

The image is, indeed, about power. But for me, this country has squandered too much of its wealth in terms of resources and humans, in foolish impetuous actions that have ill served our potential as the shining light of the world. And now look at us. Straddled with a war from which there will only be loss and ignominy. Financially beholden to the Chinese, and dependent upon those who hate us and our lifestyle for the energy to keep our country running. A dollar that is going down the toilet and an economy that looks like it is headed that way too. Once we were so wealthy and powerful that we could engage in marginal wars such as Viet Nam and Korea, and still be able to flex our muscles. Now we are bogged down and in dire need of help, but none will be forthcoming.

 

Three trillion dollars is now the figure bandied about for the cost of Iraq. We could have done something with that money. Roads, schools, and health care could have become reality. Social Security could have been secured as well as Medicare. Now we will suffer the consequences. And, worse yet, our children and grand children will suffer them. I find it hard to look them in the eye sometimes knowing what transpired on my watch.

 

This locomotive represents that time when we were all powerful and reveled in our glorious success. Now it represents an antiquated system that is not practical in these times.

 

I've come to think that democracy can only work with educated people who place their own needs as second to those of their fellow citizens. It looks like the road is getting bumpier. Sorry to be so negative, but the last couple of years have made me deeply skeptical and pessimistic.

The American spirit is still there...harder to find, but still there. We will pull out of the morass, we always have.

 

Dick

I certainly hope you are right. I don't see it happening. And, I'm sure the Roman Empire had those who thought that they would continue their path indefinitely, as have many other civilizations. A couple of hundred years run does not guarantee another couple of hundred years. But, again, I sure hope you're right.

I have also pondered the parallels you mention with the Roman Empire and it is depressing to dwell on it. I guess that if we are headed in that direction there is little you and I can do except hug our families and keep taking pictures. But, I still see a lot of good in this country...just lots of change, which we have always weathered.

 

Have a good day,

 

Dick

Thanks. Hope you have a most excellent day as well.

Only the naive can't see the darkness, end of the tunnel. Unfortunately most of the people, never learn from history. Or probably, they never learned history at all.

 

Lots of good...?? If you had one side in the scale 1 good and the other side only 2 bad, your scale still going to tip over. And a bad is not 1=2, it is 1=10, at least.

 

Cheers; Bela

My fellow traveler in the dark side adventures, I thank you for looking and seeing the deeper view.