About the title of my blog:"Grapes from Thorns" is the name of a collection of essays by Dean Acheson, prominent cold warrior and secretary of state from the Truman administration. I liked the implication in the concept of "grapes from thorns" that something good can be taken from something bad or unpleasant. Kind of a metaphor for many life experiences. Despite the harsh criticism I've made of Acheson, he was also correct when he said these words to live by:"One must be true to the things by which one lives. The counsels of discretion and cowardice are appealing. The safe course is to avoid situations which are disagreeable and dangerous. Such a course might get one by the issue of the moment, but it has bitter and evil consequences. In the long days and years which stretch beyond that moment of decision, one must live with one’s self; and the consequences of living with a decision which one knows has sprung from timidity and cowardice go to the roots of one’s life. It is not merely a question of peace of mind, although that is vital; it is a matter of integrity of character."