Lawsuit seeks to take 'so help me God' out of inaugural

By Carol Cratty
CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A number of atheists and non-religious organizations want Barack Obama's inauguration ceremony to leave out all references to God and religion.

President-elect Barack Obama will use the Bible Abraham Lincoln used for his inauguration.

In a lawsuit filed Tuesday in Washington, the plaintiffs demand that the words "so help me God" not be added to the end of the president's oath of office.

In addition, the lawsuit objects to plans for ministers to deliver an invocation and a benediction in which they may discuss God and religion.

An advance copy of the lawsuit was posted online by Michael Newdow, a California doctor and lawyer who has filed similar and unsuccessful suits over inauguration ceremonies in 2001 and 2005.

Joining Newdow in the suit are groups advocating religious freedom or atheism, including the American Humanist Association, the Freedom from Religion Foundation and atheist groups from Minnesota; Seattle, Washington; and Florida.

The new lawsuit says in part, "There can be no purpose for placing 'so help me God' in an oath or sponsoring prayers to God, other than promoting the particular point of view that God exists.................."

Take a guess at why these people are so pissed off all the time.

A: They don't have anything to look forward to......

(and they will never get "In God We Trust" off our currency, thankfully......)

Regards,

C.

"Is it worth it
A new winter coat and shoes for the wife
And a bicycle on the boy's birthday
It's just a rumour that was spread around town
By the women and children
Soon we'll be shipbuilding
Well I ask you
The boy said 'DAD THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE ME TO TASK
BUT I'LL BE BACK BY CHRISTMAS'
It's just a rumour that was spread around town
Somebody said that someone got filled in
For saying that people get killed in
The result of this shipbuilding
With all the will in the world
Diving for dear life
When we could be diving for pearls
It's just a rumour that was spread around town
A telegram or a picture postcard
Within weeks they'll be re-opening the shipyards
And notifying the next of kin
Once again
It's all we're skilled in
We will be shipbuilding
WITH ALL THE WILL IN THE WORLD
DIVING FOR DEAR LIFE
WHEN WE COULD BE DIVING FOR PEARLS"
- Elvis Costello

Well, it's official.
I am on a music theme.
(I promise no more.....Today.)

The breaking news in Tehran made me think of this one.

Regards,

C.


"Don't start me talking
I could talk all night
My mind goes sleepwalking
While I'm putting the world to right
Called careers information
Have you got yourself an occupation?


Oliver's army is here to stay
Oliver's army are on their way
And I would rather be anywhere else
But here today

There was a checkpoint Charlie
He didn't crack a smile
But it's no laughing party
When you've been on the murder mile

Only takes one itchy trigger
One more widow, one less white nigger


Hong Kong is up for grabs
London is full of Arabs
We could be in Palestine
Overrun by a Chinese line
With the boys from the Mersey and the Thames and the Tyne

But there's no danger
It's a professional career
Though it could be arranged
With just a word in Mr. Churchill's ear

If you're out of luck or out of work
We could send you to Johannesburg"
- Elvis Costello

Alright, why not just a little more (lagniappe)..........
Regards,

C.


"I ask you nicely
Get my face slapped under wraps
What's going on precisely
Is there something wrong perhaps?

Surprise, surprise (surprise, surprise)
It's more like a booby trap than a booby prize

Civil disobedience from a soldier with a dirty rifle
You're loosening all the screws that hold the hinges of my life

Fat cats and army brats
Hep cats and dog tags pawing over girly mags

Pretty words don't mean much anymore
I don't mean to be mean much anymore
All I see are snapshots, big shots, tender spots
(1) mug shots, machine slots
(2) machine slots, mug shots
Till you don't know what's what
You don't know what you got

Curious women running after curious men
Curiosity didn't kill the cat
It was a poisoned pen
But there's not much choice (it's Hobson's choice)
Between a cruel mouth and a jealous voice

Got back to London
Picked a paper from the mat
No words of consolation
Just cartoons and chitter chatter
Well well, fancy that
Millions murdered for a kiss me quick hat
No backbone, blood and guts
Better keep your big mouth shut."
- Elvis Costello

"The sky fell over cheap Korean monster-movie scenery
And spilled into the reservoir of the crushed capsule hotel
Between the Disney abattoir and the chemical refinery
And I knew I was in trouble but I thought I was in hell
So you look around the tiny room and you wonder where the hell you are
While the K.K.K. convention are all stranded in the bar
They wear hoods and carry shotguns in the main streets of Montgomery
But they're helpless here as babies 'cause they're only here on holiday

What do we care if the world is a joke
We'll give it a big kiss, we give it a poke.
Death wears a big hat 'cause he's a big bloke
We're only living this instant"
- Elvis Costello



I was in a sour mood today while breathing in the newest information on the latest crisis in the Middle East.
As we know, music often helps us vocalize our feelings. While all my feelings about this issue aren't summed up with music, I just kept thinking of these words today........

Regards,

C.

From Mother Jones...

http://www.motherjones.com/mojoblog/

Gaza: Insisting on Peace Now Means No Peace Later?

"Just listened in on a Council on Foreign Relations briefing-by-phone that addressed the situation in the Gaza Strip. Israeli air forces are bombing the region and systematically destroying symbols of Hamas' power as a response to months of rocket launches into Israeli territory by Hamas and its allies. Hundreds of Palestinians are dead in what Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak is calling "all out war."

On the conference call, one point was made repeatedly. The Israeli public broadly supports the air strikes and will continue to do so until Hamas' ability or willingness to rain rockets into Israel is extinguished. If the Americans, specifically the Obama team, insists that the Israelis stop short, it has problematic consequences for the prospects of long-term peace. Here's why. The Americans (and just about everybody else) say they want a two-state solution, which gives the Palestinians an independent state consisting of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. But giving the Palestinians full control over the West Bank would mean that Hamas would have a more strategically located launching pad for rocket attacks. Major population centers (particularly Jerusalem) would be within reach. If the Americans stop the Israelis from achieving their objectives in Gaza, the Israelis will believe they will be stopped from protecting themselves from similar but more deadly attacks launched from the West Bank. As a result, the possibility of Israel allowing the Palestinians to make the West Bank part of an independent Palestinian state slims significantly.

The speakers on the call also suggested that the Israelis don't want to make to make a mess that the new American president will have to deal with, but that because internal Israeli politics are at play here (Barak needs to appear tough because he is seeking the prime ministership), it isn't clear how long the attacks will last or how far Israel will go in fulfilling its objectives."

It's in my nature to often try
and simplify any of my own understanding(s) in even the most complex situations...
(I believe this one qualifies)
the "Blame Game" is always the center here.
so, here's my simplified thought/question: Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
This situation is an age old land grab that has no right sides sadly...
funny though, Other than protests, we never observe the powerful Middle Eastern countries giving much Humanitarian aid. (although some of them are pretty cool with supplying weapons and training people how to kill one another.....)

Regards,

C.

Wow !!!!!
What a whirl this topic always brings about...
Below are comments from everyone and everywhere apparently, including myself. They originate from a place that I occasionally visit it is called "newsvine" and is located here: http://www.newsvine.com/
Please look into your own hearts as you try and decipher the ancient, twisted history
of this tumultuous region and try and find the truth. I believe with sincerity you will arrive there no matter Who or what you think may be guiding you along.....

Regards,

C.

Israeli air strikes in Gaza kill more than 200,Hamas says compounds hit, threatens to resume suicide attacks

Israel's air force fired about 30 missiles at targets in the Gaza Strip, destroying several Hamas compounds and killing at least 200 people, a Hamas police spokesman said, according to Reuters.
Some comments....
(Including my own)

SB-632402

Great timing - Bush has given a wink and a nod to the Israelis always. Looks like things are going to change drastically on Obama's watch.

Smartest thing the US can do is to withdraw all troops from all countries and let them start protecting themselves. We have our own homeland to take care of !?

Start getting the message out folks to your 'elected' representatives that if they want to stay in office they better a) get the troops back b) stop giving our resources away c) No bailouts and whatever has been doled out to be returned asap d) no selling of state assets or putting the country up for hock! e) invest in innovation and manufacturing f) no more free trade - only fair trade

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#626 - Sat Dec 27, 2008 9:54 PM MST

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mookmookie

Israel and Palestine should be thanking each of their gods that there is no substantial oil reserves on either land, otherwise we would have split it with the USSR years ago and they'd be paying taxes ti us, instead of us funding BOTH sides of the debacle.

the world community should announce that any citizens of either nation can leave now, we could even supply the boats and planes, and then all the idiots that run both countries can kill each other off. then we can move in a build a new vegas to compete with dubai.

imagine the publicity: Arafat hotel and casino, the lions den and spa, Caesar' palace: jerusalem, the western wall resort...the possibilities are endless...build high roller hotel rooms right into the jerusalem walls with a view of the Kidron Valley...Tahoe style gambling on the sea of Galilee...the possibilities are endless...

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#627 - Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:01 PM MST

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ALL RELIGIONS MAN

I am so frustrated with lack od knowledge, reason why some states make sure they keep their people unaware of the facts.Ignorance

Fact: The Jewish, lived in the Midlle East in that region where later became palestine. They were just one of the tribes -- yes there were many more tribes but they were NOt all Jews.--who lived there.-"Israel is a new concept" and if it is now mentioned in the Bible, guess what" The Jews wrote the Bible."

When the Arabs invaded in the fervor of Islam. -mind you- they did NOT kill Jews, because they were Jews. In fact the Jews lived VERY Harmoniously with the Arabs/Muslims and they followed them everywhere, including to the Iberian Peninsula where is now Portugal and Spain, the jews florished there, with the Arabs, in Commerce and the Arts, Literature, etc. They then chosed not to go back to the palestinian Area, where the other Arabe population stayed, but they fallowed the most prominent societies of Europe, when they took up from the Arabs. The most remarcable was their success in business during the Portuguese and Spanish Golden Period. They were so prominent and threatening to the establishment- The Kings- because of their money--NOT RELIGION- that the Jesuits tried to convert them to Catholicism.. The reason was that if they became catholics they would come under the Pope and the Church, therefore under control, including their money.

BUt, some converted for convenience (or fear) and went under ground, others were not so smart and were burnt at the stake. Others still, ran way to Flandres,(Holand) now an emerging power and to England. Again they chosed NOT to go Back to palestine.

BUt We must Note also that at the same time, there were, Christians who were and are still being persecuted by governments around the world for things they do, including fighting against injustice. Those people were called many things, including communists not long ago. (that was the name before "terrorism" for the sane person)so everyone can remember. This writer had a machinegun pointed at me, at the University Campus, because of a protest. Some of my fellow students were not so lucky to be here today righting about injustice, they were gunned down that day. All we wanted was better and fairer conditions for our parents- the protest was in suport of an wage increase--is that communist? The salaries were what we would rate today, USD0.20c a day. a cheap meal would cost USD0.7/10cents if eaten in a cheap restaurant corner shop.

But back: As well as other religions, the Jewish chose to stay and follow the most prosperous societies in the west--what I would call "the money trail" . In fact like anyone else. Jews, Christians, Muslins, Chinese, etc, flocked to Europe, America, etc. No one, asked for a Religious State, just because they were this or that until, someone started the "State movenment".

When a deal was made after the war, the British Government decided to suport the Idea to form a Jewsh state, in the state of Palestine. " a ".

It came in fact to reality with the support of Churchill and Roosevelt (in fact Roosevelt was a JEW himself if I am not mistaken his real name was Rosenfeld" so no surprises here.

BUt while the declaration of the State of Israel had provisions for the freedom of the Arabes, the Israeli Government, once in power simply ignored it.

When the State was created, with hips of money from Europe and the UN, thousands of "Jews" floked" to the newly overtaken arabe/palestinian lands. They were told -to the Arabes- to leave to a camp for a while because they would be back in a few days. They never did, most were "Ethnically Cleansed".Other old buggers are still in the Camps in Libaon Syria Jordan etc.

In the meantime the fields were being colonised with people from all over Europe. Slavs, Russians, Germans, most blond people with no connection with the area at all, except claiming to be a jew. While in fact most real jews were now in the United States, London, Portugal where thousand came during the war, etc.

The British were happy to keep control of the Area, where they were in a bad position since the Arabe revolt of 1936. Now they had an excuse to be there. In fact is no more than a 'Western Arrow" in Arabe lands.

And because of what they do people keep revolting, that exactly what they want. Everytime they fight backk even with a stone is an excuse for them to Murders hundreds or thousands.. The killd more than one thousand people and destroyed a country because of a soldier was take prisioner. Not even killed.

But the Point is: The State of Israel, should not be allowed to be such a criminal state. They have no morals at all.And the West who planted them there are having a ball.

They Bomb Schools, Hospitals, Destroy crops, still all the Jordan's water, block the access of medication of food for children, and the wounded, Heavens, The Nazis had much more honour and morals. Is it what they learnnt in the camps where they say they stayed? How can people believe and sympatise with them? This like a three years old throw me a toy and I blast him with my shogun.Do they know what compassion is? Guess not.

BTW, the west is always talking about "Democracy" Guess what, in case you didn't know Hamas was democratically elected. The west didn't accuse them of cheating. But it is only democracy if, it suits them. Should the west have recognised Hamas as a legitimate government, which they were entitled to,peace would have probably been achieved. This is a clear case of crimes against humanity. Melosovic of Serbia, never did even an inch of what Israel is doing..

God Bless

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#628 - Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:01 PM MST

mookmookie

as a religious scholar i can see your point, however anybody with a brain (not aimed at you) can see that this has nothing to do with religion, especially on Israel's side. Anyone who has been there knows that its a Judaic minority who has so much power. most israelis (jews, christians and arabs) are not so much concerned about who raised sheep on what hill 10,000 years ago, they just want peace. most of them are about as Western as Americans and Europeans and do not go near a place of worship on a regular basis.

unfortunately Israel has the same problem as most Middle Eastern nations, and Western nations foe that matter...fanaticism. The only problem is that when someone uses that term for Israelis, they get accused of being anti-Semites, which is stupid, to say the least.

I hate Bush, but he should have marched into that region and taken it over instead...

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#628.1 - Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:11 PM MST

IMELDOCTOR

ALL RELIGIONS MAN,

And may God bless you for your truthful post. If all people were as knowledgable . and compassionate as you are, the world would not be in this mess.

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#628.2 - Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:16 PM MST

karl-381105

Perhaps a history lesson would be in order...so much typing and so little truth.....

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#628.3 - Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:17 PM MST

A just Me

bush cant take his underwear to laundry, you think he can take over the middle east. Please write something that make sense

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#628.4 - Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:21 PM MST

ALL RELIGIONS MAN

The problem is not that Bush takes over enough to ruin everything. The problem is that they ruin it, they have ruined everything they touched...does it make sense to you? Well if not just look around.

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#628.5 - Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:38 PM MST

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A just Me

Lets stop using rockets and missiles and start launching shoes.

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#629 - Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:08 PM MST

mookmookie

amen, but are we going to continue to give shoes to both sides?

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#629.1 - Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:12 PM MST

A just Me

instead of missiles isreal should use size 10 and up.

Instead of rockets Gaza should use size 9 and under

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#629.2 - Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:16 PM MST

ALL RELIGIONS MAN

The best of the Postings!!!! Congratulations MMookie!!

Yes, We give shoes to both sides, and may the most smelly shoe win. please send your support to: "iraqishoe@hotmail.com" (a real e.mail to the Shoe)

Every gun barrel should from today have a shoe as a flag.

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#629.3 - Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:23 PM MST

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karl-381105

BOO HOO pay back can be a bummer..

so you fire dozens of rockets daily into a sovereign nation killing and injuring its citizens and now you cry "do over"...i believe it is time to turn Gaza into a parking lot!!!!!

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#630 - Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:14 PM MST

ALL RELIGIONS MAN

Hope your mother is there!

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#630.1 - Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:24 PM MST

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Carrie-330271

Israel is to blame more so than the Hamas. Enough already. Israel needs to stop being terrorists themselves. Israel keeps taking land that does not belong to them. The UN took the land that is now called Israel and gave it to the Jews after WWII, the United States keeps giving millions of dollars to Israel every year, why?? We shouldn't be supporting terrorists. Now with this latest stunt Israel has made, the Arab world will soon be in a bigger uproar than ever. Watch... this has only begun. Israel must know that what they reap they sow. Israel has gotten greedy and greed is what will ruin them, if they keep it up by building on land that does not belong to them - they will get what they deserve in the end. And God will not save them.... 'greed' is not condoned by God.

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#631 - Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:14 PM MST

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karl-381105

BOO HOO pay back can be a bummer..

so you fire dozens of rockets daily into a sovereign nation killing and injuring its citizens and now you cry "do over"...i believe it is time to turn Gaza into a parking lot!!!!!

shmuel..gimmel

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#632 - Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:14 PM MST

ALL RELIGIONS MAN

Are you telling me Hitler was right? He was just trying to avoid this happening for the way you talk. You have no compassion, no morals. You send American Bombers to bom children, when they have no food to eat because you are blocking access to them, and you think you are funny. Remember nature has a way to level up and probably one day you'll have more "parking lots" than you bargaing for.

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#632.1 - Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:31 PM MST

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Andrew-730021

Israel had warned these Hamas terrorists over three days, coz. Hamas was firing Mortars and Rockets into S. Israel, over 200 Rockets in all. But Hamas would not listen, why would they? Hamas are simply put Terrorists, who do not want peace. Israel withdrew from Gaza a few years back, and what did Hamas do mean-while? The Hamas savages went and killed over 100 Fatah Palestinian Policemen, their own people, and took control of Gaza! Now in 2008, they wanted a fight with Israel and got one! So Hamas and Islamic Jihad should not cry foul. You guys fired over 200 Missiles and Rockets into Israel and sure you will get your Butts kicked!

Moving over to Isreal's other neighbor Egypt. The peace holds since 1979, the Sinai Peace agreement. Good for Israel and Egypt. If Israel really wanted to keep Sinai, they coud've held on. But they wanted land for peace and have got that from Egypt and partly from Jordan. But in the North, i.e. Lebanon, trouble is looming. If i had family there i would move them. Why? Coz. Hizbolah Terrorists armed by Iran Oil Money and crazy Mullahs have built their arsenal and are waiting to strike. This time around, it will not be a repeat of 2006. If Hezbolah strikes the Jewish state, Israel will and should remove these Hezbolah. It will be bitter but Israel will prevail.

Next comes the turn of Iran, the Terrorist state, whose MADman, AhMADinejad has threatened to wipe Israel off the map. Never in the History of UN has one country threatened to wipe out another. Israel should Not wait for the day of the next Holocaust. Hightime they went and wiped out all Iran's Nuclear facilities. They do Not need UN's permission nor America's. Waiting will take you nowhere. Just go ahead and do what needs to be done, even if it means using any weapon that Israel has! If Israel waits and Iran gets Nukes, the story is over. The edge will be lost and the crazy Rabble-Rousing Mullahs will theaten any and all with their Nukes. Iran will even threaten the Saudis and Kuwait and UAE. Iran will see to it that the Price of Oil goes to $200 a Barrel, coz. that is what Iran, Venezuela and Russia want. So Israel must strike and now! Go ahead and Toast Iran!

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#633 - Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:15 PM MST

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GettheFacts

That's right! Both sides need to be slapped big time! A "neutral" force on the ground who is willing to punish either side! Unfortunately, as the other comment said, if you try to help innocent civilians on the Arab side, you are labeled a Nazi or anti-semi or if you try to help the innocent Isreali civilian, you'll be labeled a Zionist.

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#634 - Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:17 PM MST

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Dave P-376614

I like what Daniel Strahan said. It is OH SO TRUE! Hamas is nothing better than an bunch of murdering thugs and need to be Totally destroyed, along with the Taliban, Al Qaeda, and the Rulers of Iran. Pretty simple-stop shelling Israel and they will stop kicking your sorry asses! Until then, more power to Israel. They have a PERFECT RIGHT to defend themselves against those who would see them destroyed. I wish Israel would just simply clean house over there and get rid of ALL the Radical Islamic Terrorists! The world would be a MUCH better place. Israel has the right to exist. They have the right to defend that existence, at All costs!

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#635 - Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:25 PM MST

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boris-288740

I believe in the God All Mighty, and I am sure he is not amused by all the killing that goes on in this world. We are nothing but savages with a chip on our shoulder! It is a shame that all we know how to do is cause war! Will man kind ever learn?

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#636 - Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:26 PM MST

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GettheFacts

Listen to some of you, asking to Nuke this, Nuke that, Kill them All..........you are sitting in your nice & warm houses, thousands of miles away, and saying all of this, and then calling people in the Middle East violent!

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#637 - Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:29 PM MST

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TheChipHitsTheFan

to:

ALL RELIGIONS MAN (and like minds)

LEARN MORE HISTORY (especially the things that you feel the need to comment about)

Although you may be locked in your recent passions this way, complaining about the devastation of this region is "Old Hat" and not unique to the Middle East.

Perhaps an examination of historical cultures with so much self-pride should be reviewed so as to see the macroscopic outcome of their own identities.

See "The fall of Rome"....