Gordon - the Russian submarine tragedy has also focused my attention - kind of brought me back to Square One.

Although my experience was mainly surface ships, I remember all too well being at the mercy of typhoons, fog and storms and feeling how truly puny all of our hi-tech equipment and prowess was in the face of Mother Nature and her power.

Juxtaposed as this tragedy is against the ego and bluster of the Democratic convention, it sort of contrasts (to me) superficiality vs. real life and has made me stop and evaluate (using the POA) where I am, what I want and where I'm going.

It's easy to get caught up in the superficial, hi tech world and forget we're human, not SUPER human.

As many of the posts on this board have stated in one way or another, the antidote to the superficiality is to truly observe and analyze your world in order to know and live your purpose. Then, continually take action to make it real.

SOWPUB is extraordinary in that in brings in fresh views of reality amid the superficialities of the web. I appreciate it more than ever and thank the contributors for their collective and continuing wisdom.

And God bless and keep the Russian submariners, whatever the outcome.

Bob