>George;
>
>I see a parallel between the United States, the Roman Empire and Sparta. Now in the case of Sparta, the example of a mother addressing her son comes to mind along with many other thoughts. “Do not come home unless it is upon your shield”!
Hum, I think that should be "... with your shield or upon it".
Difference in opinions hath cost many millions of lives: for instance, whether flesh be bread, or bread be flesh; whether whistling be a vice or a virtue; whether it be better to kiss a post, or throw it into the fire... (from Gulliver's Travels)