You know, Bubba (my fictional friend) and I were having some fresh homemade strawberry pie the other day, with a tad of whipped cream to add a little sweetness to the palate. The soft cool breeze under my front yard maple tree was a welcoming bonus as we dined.
It was a most delightful moment!
And as we enjoyed our treat, we engaged in a conversation about world affairs, which often tend to repeat themselves.
“Bubba,” I asked, “How did you enjoy President Trump’s entertainment at the White House lawn the other evening?”
“Oh, it was exciting,” said Bubba, adding that it reminded him of that “Gladiator” movie with Russell Crowe and that history of Rome back in ancient days.
“As a matter of fact,” Bubba continued, “President Trump’s idea to hold this mixed martial arts fight on the White House lawn is something some earlier Roman Emperor might have done back in antiquity.”
This Ultimate Fighting Championship match included several fight series under a full-scale UFC Octagon. UFC President Dana White joined Trump at ringside.
This event was billed as the UFC Freedom 250 celebration in honor of America’s 250th anniversary; as a footnote President Trump, himself, celebrated his 80th birthday on this same day.
“As I once read from history lessons,” said Bubba, “these Gladiator events were held in Rome primarily for mass entertainment, political propaganda and religious rituals. They were held to appease the public and some say distract the masses from the challenges of daily life.”
“For certain,” I offered.
These fights on the White House lawn had a tendency to distract from more newsworthy events impacting our country. The war in Iran has certainly provided significant stress for the American public. Gas costs and inflation, too, have occupied the minds of the American workforce and families nationwide, not to mention the increase to the national debt.
It has also been suggested that gladiator events during the Roman era actually were held by the magistrates and Roman emperors to win the favor of Roman citizens. They were quite popular with the masses.
For sure, this event will go down in history as a major spectacle of our country’s 250th birthday party and will dot the history books with many noteworthy footnotes, both pro and con.
Bubba continued his comments on Rome, its rise and decline as he reviewed some of his findings on the History Channel:
The Western Roman Empire lasted for around 500 years, and it slowly began to decline.
Some factors that have been suggested from review of those years include continuous incursions from several enemies into Roman territory. Military defeats became more numerous and difficult to defend; mercenaries were hired for defense.
These added expenses for defense and wars emptied the Roman treasury. Debts were paid, which ignited inflation. Heavy taxation followed, and many abandoned their farmlands.
“I sometimes wonder, too,” I said, “about farmlands and their ownership and purchase of these properties by the Chinese. Warehouses, too, are cropping up in fields where some represented farm use.”
As if the above degrading elements were not enough to ponder, the vast Roman empire became difficult to manage by a single ruler. The empire was soon forced to divide itself into the Western and Eastern Roman Empires.
Deep political corruption became more common in many areas and further degraded the unification of government.
As the original Roman Empire began to grow and span across three continents, the governing of that terrain became overtaxed and more difficult to rule.
Many of these elements contributed to the collapse of this once great empire.
As we prepare to celebrate the 250th birthday of this great nation, perhaps it is wise for one to take a peek into the rise and fall of other great civilizations.
Perhaps we could examine and learn some lessons from history which might help us to embrace the future and handle those problems that lie ahead of us better down this path of life.
“Or maybe,” Bubba concluded, quoting Charlie Munger, “there is no better teacher than history in determining the future. There are answers worth billions of dollars in a $30 history book.”
“I only wish, Bubba, that some of our political representatives would read history books.
“Thanks for dropping by, Bubba, you can take a piece of that strawberry pie home with you.”
And have a great birthday, America!
Love you.
