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Bill Heitman wrote: >I had always maintained that the situation resembled the Alamo. While there >wads a time in my first few years that I would have accepted a draw, these >days I want a win. A very good analogy, Bill, and one that lends itself to development. I would prefer, however to move the scene from the Alamo, where a brave defence still failed, to sieges such as Mafeking or Stalingrad where the defenders held on until the relief columns broke through. We are in a state of siege. The enemy snipes at us from all sides and occasionally mounts a full scale assault which, if successful drives us from whatever position we now hold, to whatever new positions we have prepared for just such an eventuality. The longer the siege goes on the more withstanding it becomes a matter of commitment and faith as supplies of food and ammunition dwindle. If the enemy won't go away of its own accord the only hope of release is the timely arrival of the relief columns. In our case, of course, the relief columns are the many different agencies and companies looking for the cure. It is our job, as defenders, to hang on in as good shape as possible until they get to us. "Hanging on" is by no means a passive response. We don't know how long the siege will last so we need to: - work on preparing fall back positions in order to minimise the enemies victories, and enhance our chances of still being around when the breakthrough comes. - learn to use our resources carefully, with a mind to future needs, - keep a close watch for "Trojan horses" that appear to signal our victory but only serve to let down our defences. - fight like the blazes on our own local front - keep sending out sorties. They irritate the enemy and boost our moral. - do whatever we can to hasten the arrival of the relief columns, but not at the cost of compromising our ability to withstand the siege. There is already enough suffering associated with PD; we don't need martyrs! What doesn't help is standing on the ramparts and screaming at the relief columns to hurry up. Dennis. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Dennis Greene 48/11 "It is better to be a crystal and be broken, Than to remain perfect like a tile upon the housetop." [log in to unmask] http://members.networx.net.au/~dennisg/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++