Paul Gadzikowski
scarfman@iglou.com

Rome falls again

Somewhere in Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's series of mysticism from Michael books, the nextworldly being Michael states that history runs in two-thousand year cycles. Then he states that Nazi Germany was this cycle's analog to Rome. Ha.

Julius Caesar suffered the near-simultaneous deaths of mother and (in childbirth) daughter during his campaign in Gaul and Britain to expand the borders of the Roman empire.
Theodore Roosevelt suffered the near-simultaneous deaths of mother and (in childbirth) first wife early in his political career at whose peak he was the most imperialist US president.

Augustus Caesar, Julius' great-nephew, ruled long as Emperor, presided over many reforms and was drawn in to war with Germany by a surprise attack, dying in office despite his wish to one day step down.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Theodore's cousin, was elected president four times, presided over many reforms and was drawn into a war with Germany by a surprise attack, dying in office just before the end of his fourth term or the war.

Caligula Caesar's reign was distinguished by corruption and sex scandals. His friends and enemies had to kill him to be rid of him.
Bill Clinton's administration was distinguished by corruption and sex scandals. His friends and enemies had to wait out the legal lifespan of his maximum term of office to be rid of him.

Claudius Caesar, generally regarded an idiot, was the nephew of the second-previous emperor Tiberius, disliked but competent at the job.
George W. Bush, generally regarded an idiot, is the son of the second-previous president George Bush, disliked but competent at the job.

At least Bill plays a woodwind. If we ever have someone in the White House with finger on the button who plays a string instrument ...

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