I have had the honor of meeting the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. As is the custom, he presented me with a flower, which I wear inside a jewelry tube. I honor and love this man for the humanity he tries to preach, teach, and demonstrate in the way he lives his life.

But, on a philosophical political level I find myself in basic opposition to theocratic governments of all stripes. Yeah, I'm conflicted in this case and can only take a long view that at some time both positions can form a synthesis.

In the Orient the long term has great meaning--and saving face is more than an expression.

Publius