Mental Health and War

Bob Herbert's column, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/19/opinion/19herbert.html, tells the well known, but under-reported, story of the mental health victims of war. Although the physical wounds and deaths are horrific, the often quiet mental suffering during and after war surely dwarfs this bodily pain. And the impact of the warriors' mental health problems affects their family, friends, and society in profound negative ways. And the mental health suffering of the civilians overwhelms even that of the military.

Having recently watched the twenty-six hour documentary of "The World at War" (British documentary of WW II), the necessity for war in certain cases and the horrors of war are both vividly portrayed. However, if as the United States Declaration of Independence stated, the "inalienable rights" of man include "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness", war restricts the inalienable right of happiness.

Best CEO's are boring

David Brooks column - http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/19/opinion/19brooks.html - suggests that, "In other words, warm, flexible, team-oriented and empathetic people are less likely to thrive as C.E.O.’s. Organized, dogged, anal-retentive and slightly boring people are more likely to thrive." Oh-well, that is what I observed over 40 years.

The Power of Art

I am a manager and engineer by training and experience. I don't claim to know know much about art, but I deeply enjoy visiting art museums and exhibits. I just finished watching Simon Schama's eight hour video series, "The Power of Art". Schama has produced fascinating movies about the lives, times and art of Caravaggio, Bernini, Rembrandt, David, Turner, Van Goch, Picasso, and Rothko. Each video is filled with biography, history, psychology, and magnificent artistic creations. I was enthralled by the influence of contemporary events on the artist and the resounding impact of the art on history. You can order the DVD for $50 at
http://www.shoppbs.org/product/index.jsp?productId=2742279&cp=&sr=1&f=PAD%2FFormat%2FDVD&kw=the+power+of+art&origkw=The+Power+of+Art&parentPage=search or watch segments on YouTube at http://www.shoppbs.org/product/index.jsp?productId=2742279&cp=&sr=1&f=PAD%2FFormat%2FDVD&kw=the+power+of+art&origkw=The+Power+of+Art&parentPage=search. Enjoy.