I had a professor of Jewish Studies at UChicago who made the administration very angry because every year he made a proposal for the university to create an on-campus memorial to the worldwide victims of the UChicago economics department.

I, therefore, exhort you to peaceable councils; and, above all, I insist that the guns and swords, the cause of all our jealousy and uneasiness, be removed and sent away.

In such circumstances, my men must watch, and if a twig should but break, all would cry out, "Here comes Capt. Smith;" and so, in this miserable manner, to end my miserable life; and, Capt. Smith, this might be soon your fate too, through your rashness and unadvisedness.

to laugh and be merry with the English; and, being their friend, to have copper, hatchets, and whatever else I want, than to fly from all, to lie cold in the woods, feed upon acorns, roots, and such trash, and to be so hunted, that I cannot rest, eat, or sleep.

You see us unarmed, and willing to supply your wants, if you will come in a friendly manner, and not with swords and guns, as to invade an enemy. I am not so simple, as not to know it is better to eat good meat, lie well, and sleep quietly with my women and children;

Why should you take by force that from us which you can by love? Why should you destroy us, who have provided you with food? What can you get by war? We can hide our provisions,and fly into the woods; and then you must consequently famish by wronging your friends. What is the cause of your jealousy?

I am now grown old, and must soon die; and the succession must descend, in order to my brothers, Opitchapan, Opekankanough, and Catataugh, and then to my two sisters, and their two daughters. I wish their experiences was equal to mine; and that your love to us might not be less than ours to you.

In 1609, when the same Captain Smith, dissatisfied with trade negotiations, resorted to bluster and threats, Powhatan made the following reply:

He is well known today because of his favourite daughter, Pocahontas, who rescued the English captain John Smith from execution in 1608.) In 1607 Powhatan's confederacy allowed the English to establish their first colony at Jamestown.

Which explains this mysterious force that seems to drive us towards some abyss despite our institutions, education, democracy etc. Not sure what to do with it yet, but it is a fantastic analysis of our situation. Keep up the great work. slatestarcodex.com/2014/07/30/m...