Can One Person Increase the Motivation in Another Person?

The answer is yes, of course, right? People motivate other people. After all, what about coaches and inspirational speakers? They are paid to motivate other people to do great things.

Remember to be sporadic with your compliments and praise. A compliment delivered with every action sounds insincere. Never forget the reinforcing power of a smile or a hug.The final word is consistency. If you are determined to reach your goals, follow through. So, good luck! Apply these concepts and you will have a happier, healthier family!� Allow for choice
� Allow for individual styles
� Allow for a learning curveMany people enjoy using charts and graphs to track progress. They can be very effective. I urge you not to rely too heavily on them, however because they tend to make us think of extrinsic rewards. �What do I get when I have a star in every square?�Jean Fisher - http://www.whatsfordinner.netThat�s a pretty short and easy list. So how do you go about adding sunshine, water and nutrients to these natural seeds of personal growth? Here is the method:Consider the two types of motivation: intrinsic and extrinsic:Another important factor in keeping the atmosphere of your home uplifting is to limit complaining. Many of us are in the habit of coming home and letting off steam about the idiots we must face each day. That old homily, �Leave your troubles on the doorstep� should not be forgotten. Consider the effect on a child�s motivation to grow up and enter the work world when he or she continuously hears the adults complaining about their jobs.What works best is a thank you with a statement of worth about the action. �Thanks for picking up the living room. It puts me in such a good mood to live in a neat home.� (Remember the two intrinsic motivators, pride and importance of action?) Or, a verbal pat on the back. �Now that your homework is done and your head is the size of a watermelon, what fun thing are you going to enjoy?�In our goal of spending less time in the evening in front of the television and more time reducing stress and pursuing creative endeavors, we can apply these allowances. Obviously, each person would be responsible for picking out tomorrow�s clothes, but other duties can be handed around. Make a list of other jobs that could be shared by everyone and then work out a fair plan of accomplishment. Remember the secret of presenting� yes� or �yes� options. �Danny, do you want your day to clean the bathroom to be Wednesday or Friday?� �Would you rather make sandwiches or fold the laundry?�� Set goals
� Assign responsibility
� Recognize progress
� Develop empathy
� Create a conducive environment
� Contribute to positive health habitsTalk about your feelings with each other often. Always remember, however never to assign blame to another person when expressing an emotion. Instead of saying, �You made me so mad when I was late for work because you overslept!� a better way to build empathy would be to say, �Once the clock gets past 8:20 I start getting nervous about being late for work. My stomach gets acidy and I can almost hear my boss yelling at me again. I sure would appreciate it if you would be downstairs by 8:15.� You have given your reasons on many different levels of comprehension: the visual image of the clock, the physical sensation in your stomach, the sound of an angry boss.There are some very important rules to follow when delegating responsibility in a way that fosters intrinsic motivation rather than relying on extrinsic rewards or punishments.SET GOALSCONCLUSIONOnce a job is delegated it now belongs to the responsible person. No breathing down necks, or coaching from the sidelines. Make sure the proper tools are available, instructions are clearly given and then walk away. If the bathroom mirror is cleaned with a mop the first time, oh well. The intrinsic goals of the individual will allow the necessary skills to develop naturally. You contribute to the learning curve by affectively applying the next step.Use one of your self-improvement evenings each week to take a walk outside. Wear your intelligent caps while you are on your walk and talk with each other about the things you encounter. I�ll bet you can teach each other a lot.Have an energy snack available when you are working or creating at home. Slice fruit and cheese and serve with a fortified, whole grain cracker. You are supplying vitamins, calcium and fiber. One of best fibers for the digestive system is the pectin found in apples. Float apple slices in ice water with a spritz of lemon juice and they won�t turn brown.RECOGNIZE PROGRESSDEVELOP EMPATHYASSIGN RESPONSIBILITYDesignate your home as a caring community. �Everyone who lives here supports each other.� Don�t tolerate teasing or other forms of meanness in your home.But ask the parent who would like to see a better report card, the boss who is sure to catch several employees off task at any give time, or the spouse who hates picking up someone else�s dirty laundry from the bathroom floor and you will hear that motivating others is IMPOSSIBLE!Extrinsic motivators are the rewards and punishments that come from the outside world. Play video games instead of doing homework, suffer embarrassment in class the next day. Earn a trophy for first place in a competition for high performance, win the admiration of others. There is one important fact about extrinsic motivators however, they are short-term fixes only. The desired behavior will probably disappear when the threat is gone (or forgotten) or the promise has either been delivered or denied.Eat right, drink lots of water and get plenty of exercise. When you feel good physically, it is so much easier to be enthusiastic and cheerful!1) Decide. 2) Create an affirmative statement. 3) Write it down. 4) Be clear about your reasons for wanting it. 5) Set a date for accomplishing the goal.� Success and pride of accomplishment
� An understanding of the importance in applying the desired behaviorCONTRIBUTE TO POSTIVE HEALTH HABITSCREATE A CONDUCIVE ENVIRONMENTEmpathy is the ability to feel what another person is feeling and is the foundation of intrinsic motivator number two: an understanding of the importance in applying the desired behavior. Years of teaching elementary students gave me a clear understanding of the need to teach children empathy. From the charismatic manipulator, to the bully, to the social outcast, not being able to identify with other people�s feelings can lead to problems.Intrinsic motivation originates from within the individual. It is a very powerful source of motivation. Intrinsic motivation is behind all of our attempts to learn and master new skills from our very birth. An infant will reach out and grasp a finger. Next comes walking, talking, riding a bike, all the things children are anxious to accomplish.Instead of relying on extrinsic motivators when attempting to get people to behave in ways that you think are reasonable, foster the factors that nurture those powerful intrinsic motivators. What are the intrinsic motivators?Above all else, model motivated behavior. That one thing in itself will motivate others beyond anything else you do.

Jean Fisher - http://www.whatsfordinner.net

Adult Attention Deficit Disorder

Attention Deficit Disorder tends to focus predominately on children, leaving the ADD adult largely under served. Most of the information presented about Attention Deficit Disorder focuses on children, parenting and school issues. All but one ADHD medication currently on the market achieved FDA approval for adult Attention Deficit Disorder treatment.

Diet:Large tasks tend to overwhelm the Attention Deficit Disorder adult and they often put off large task as long as possible. It is not uncommon for the Attention Deficit Disorder adult to procrastinate until the �11th Hour� and then pull an all-night jam session trying to meet a deadline.So you hit a number of points on the adult ADD self symptom test, now what?The alarm clock or a wristwatch with an alarm can be a great tool for the Attention Deficit Disorder adult. If you need to pick your child up from soccer practice at a certain time, set the alarm. If you have food cooking on the stove and you leave the kitchen, set the alarm. If you have an important appointment, set the alarm.The Attention Deficit Disorder adult should also keep a notepad in their car, purse, coat and on their bed stand. Thoughts come and go quickly. Jotting the good ideas down will ensure that they don�t go away quickly - assuming the notepad does not get lost in the process...Write your list with the tasks of highest priority first. Once the highest priority task is completed, mark it off and go to the next. Warding off the urge to skip around on the list will take some discipline but the sense of accomplishment at completed tasks is well worth the effort.An adult with Attention Deficit Disorder might also find it beneficial to enlist the help of a coach. A coach is a close and trusted friend, co-worker or therapist whose specific function is to help the Attention Deficit Disorder adult stay organized, on track and focused while providing encouragement.The brain is a hungry organ that cannot function at optimal levels without the proper fuels. To keep the brain functioning at top performance, ADHD diets packed with brain boosting essential fatty acids and amino acids is a must. A diet high in lean protein provides amino acids necessary for brain functioning.The Attention Deficit Disorder adult should get into the habit of making lists. The list should include any and all tasks required for the day, from �Mop the kitchen floor� to �Finish the sales proposal.�Physicians typically first prescribe antidepressants like Prozac for an adult with ADD, since depression issues often go hand-in-hand with adult ADD. Physicians usually move to stimulant medications like Adderall, Concerta or Ritalin or Strattera if antidepressants do not work.The Attention Deficit Disorder adult can find help naturally without the side effects of ADD medication treatment by incorporate diet, exercise and lifestyle modifications.The stimulant medication treatment route is not recommended for people with a history of drug or alcohol use or abuse since these are controlled substances with a fairly high degree of addiction potential in adults. Some adults find that the side effects of ADHD medications are not worth the benefits of the medication.Release the Steam, Quiet the Mind:Adults with ADD often realize that they have Attention Deficit Disorder when their own child is diagnosed. Looking through the list of symptoms, the parent often sees similarities in their own present or past behavior.Restructuring the ADD adult environment:Adult ADD Symptom Test:The ADD adult can also meet these crucial dietary requirements for Attention Deficit Disorder by taking a high-quality nutritional supplement to ensure that they are giving the brain the fuel it needs to function properly.Attention Deficit Disorder simply was not in vogue when the adult of today was a child decades ago. While today many express concerns of over diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder in children, many also acknowledge the under diagnosing of adults with Attention Deficit Disorder.For large tasks, the Attention Deficit Disorder adult will do well to break the task into smaller, more manageable tasks and attach deadlines to the smaller tasks. If you need to finish a large project in one week, for instance, schedule specific time each day to work on a specific aspect of the project.If you experience more than 10 points on this adult ADD self symptom test, Attention Deficit Disorder is likely present.

• An internal sense of anxiety
• Impulsive spending habits
• Frequent distractions during sex
• Frequently misplace the car keys, your purse or wallet or other day-to-day items
• Lack of attention to detail
• Family history of ADD, learning problems, mood disorders or substance abuse problems
• Trouble following the proper channels or chain of commands
• An attitude of "read the directions when all else fails"
• Frequent traffic violations
• Impulsive job changes
• Trouble maintaining an organized work and/or home environment
• Chronically late or always in a hurry
• Frequently overwhelmed by tasks of daily living
• Poor financial management and frequent late bills
• Procrastination
• Spending excessive time at work due to inefficiencies
• Inconsistent work performance
• Sense of underachievement
• Frequent mood swings
• Trouble sustaining friendships or intimate relationships
• A need to seek high stimulation activities
• Tendency toward exaggerated outbursts
• Transposing numbers, letters, words
• Tendency toward being argumentative
• Addictive personality toward food, alcohol, drugs, work and/or gambling.
• Tendency to worry needlessly and endlessly
• �Thin-skinned� - having quick or exaggerated responses to real or imagined slights.

Regular and vigorous exercise can be very helpful for the Attention Deficit Disorder adult. Attention Deficit Disorder adults tend to have addictive personalities. Exercise is a good addiction. Aside from the obvious health benefits, regular exercise is also a great way to release steam and quiet the mind. Some studies also link regular exercise to decreased depression - a condition common with Attention Deficit Disorder adults.Yet, the hurdles of Attention Deficit are often the same, whether in a child or an adult. The ADD adult might have trouble with staying on task, staying organized and procrastinating, just as the Attention Deficit Disorder child does. The Attention Deficit Disorder adult might have trouble maintaining relationships and controlling their mood, just like an ADD or ADHD child. The main difference between the ADD adult and the ADD child is that the adult with Attention Deficit typically has more sophisticated coping mechanisms.Below is an adult symptom test with symptoms unique to the Attention Deficit Disorder adult. This self test is not a diagnostic test but a source of information for the adult trying to determine if Attention Deficit Disorder might be present in their life.For the better part, the Attention Deficit Disorder ADD ADHD symptom test outlined for children is about the same for the adult, with the word �work� substituted for �school.� You can also look at the Attention Deficit Disorder test for children and ask yourself if, as a child, you had such symptoms or currently have such Attention Deficit Disorder symptoms.

An adult with Attention Deficit Disorder might also find it beneficial to enlist the help of a coach. A coach is a close and trusted friend, co-worker or therapist whose specific function is to help the Attention Deficit Disorder adult stay organized, on track and focused while providing encouragement.

Beat summer's heat with no-cook meals - includes menus, recipes and glossary

This must be what they mean by the dog days of summer. The sun beats down hot, angry and heavy; the humidity in the air makes you feel like you're swimming in a steaming bowl of pea soup. Flinging the windows wide open won't help, as not so much as a gentle breeze is stirring. It's probably better to stretch out on the couch and wonder between brow-moppings who decided to convert your house into a sauna.

Pita wedgesPER SERVING: 136 CAL.; 7G PROT.; 10G FAT; 7G CARB.; 4MG CHOL.; 600MG SOD.; 2G FIBER. LACTOGreek-stylePER SERVING: 37 CAL.; 1G PROT.; 1G FAT; 8G CARB.; 0 CHOL.; 16MG SOD.; 2G FIBER. VEGANTry this bean dish as an entree, or as an accompaniment to Greek-Style Tofu Salad.PER SERVING: 423 CAL.; 16G PROT.; 4G FAT; 81G CARB.; 0 CHOL.; 1,174MG SOD.; 13G FIBER. VEGANCore remaining 2 tomatoes; cut into large chunks. Place tomato chunks in food processor; pure. Strain pure into a small bowl to remove seeds and add remaining ingredients; stir to blend. Pour sauce over tomatoes. Cover and chill before serving if desired. Serves 6 as a side dish.PER SERVING: 158CAL.; 5G PROT.; 5G FAT; 23G CARB.; 0 CHOL.; 510MG SOD.; 3G FIBER. VEGAN/OVO-LACTO8 ripe but firm tomatoes, preferably blanched and peeled 1 green onion (green and white parts), thinly sliced 1 clove garlic, minced 1 Tbs. minced cilantro 1 Tbs. minced parsley 2 Tbs. red wine vinegar Pinch cayenne pepper (optional)Iced teaCrusty breadSupperButter Beans with Pesto Sauce1 large cucumber, halved lengthwise and seeded 6-inch loaf French bread, crust removed 2 green bell peppers, chopped 2 lbs. tomatoes, cored, seeded and cut into chunks 2 cloves garlic, peeled 2 Tbs. olive oil 1 tsp. salt 3 Tbs. red wine vinegar 2 egg whites or 1/4 cup egg substitute (see glossary), hardcooked and cooled, or 1/2 cup crumbled firm tofu (optional) 1/2 small onion, diced 3 Tbs. minced fresh parsley or cilantroIn a blender or food processor, process basil until finely chopped. Add garlic, walnuts, cheese and oil; process until smooth.Cut tofu into 1/2-inch slices; set aside. In a shallow baking dish large enough to hold tofu slices, combine soy sauce, sweetener, ginger, garlic, vinegar and onion; mix well. Lay tofu slices in sauce, turning to coat both sides. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours, turning once.PER SERVING: 219 CAL.; 14G PROT.; 6G FAT; 27G CARB.; 0 CHOL.; 930MG SOD.; 4G FIBER. VEGANDice one-fourth of cucumber; set aside. Dunk bread in water and lift out but do not squeeze; place in food processor or blender. Add remaining cucumber, peppers, tomatoes, garlic, oil, salt and vinegar; process until very smooth.Tuscan CannelliniThe height of the tomato season is approaching; here's a dish that can be eaten as a side dish, or as a sandwich on French bread halves.Tofu SaladHerbed TomatoesPlace tomatoes in Colander or strainer over bowl or sink; sprinkle with salt and set aside to drain 15 minutes.In a large bowl, combine oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, basil and oregano; whip with fork until slightly thick. Add tofu cubes and marinate 1 hour, stirring occasionally.No-cook Herbed TomatoesMost of the no-cook recipes in the following menus can be prepared in about 30 minutes. So not only do you not have to turn on the stove, you can also get out of the kitchen and into the cool breezes; that is, if you can find one.Gazpacho SevilleReserve the seeds from the bell peppers and sprinkle over the top for a sweet crunch.2 Tbs. olive oil 1/4 cup red wine vinegar 1 tsp. kosher salt (see glossary) or regular salt 1/2 tsp. black pepper 1 Tbs. sliced fresh basil leaves 1/2 tsp. dried oregano 1 lb. extra-firm, water-packed tofu, drained and cut into 1/2-inch cubes 1 oz. feta cheese, crumbled 1 large (2 medium) cucumber, peeled and sliced 1 small red onion, thinly sliced 4-oz. can pitted black olives, drainedIn a small bowl, mix pesto and beans. On a platter or individual salad plates, arrange lettuce leaves. Mound bean mixture on lettuce leaves. Scatter green unions over top. Garnish with tomato wedges and/or red bell pepper rings if desired. Serve at room temperature. Serves 6.Chickpea Pita Pocketswith Pesto SauceIn a small bowl, mix all remaining ingredients except lettuce; set aside. Arrange lettuce leaves on 6 dinner plates. Divide marinated tofu equally among plates; sprinkle with sesame-bread crumb mixture and serve. Serves 6.15-oz. can chickpeas (see glossary), rinsed and drained 1 small green bell pepper, diced 1 small red bell pepper, diced 1 small red onion, thinly sliced 1 clove garlic, minced 2 Tbs. sliced black olives 2 Tbs. sliced green olives 6-oz. jar marinated artichoke hearts, quartered, liquid reserved 2 Tbs. red wine vinegar 1/2 tsp. kosher salt (see glossary) or regular salt 1/4 tsp. pepper 4 large or 6 regular slices pita bread 2 cups shredded lettuce2 cups fresh basil 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 cup walnuts 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 3 Tbs. olive oil 3 15-oz. cans large butter beans, rinsed and drained 6 lettuce leaves 2 to 4 green onions (green and white parts), thinly sliced Tomato wedges and/or red bell pepper rings for garnish (optional)2 lbs. plum tomatoes, diced Pinch salt 3 Tbs. red wine vinegar 1 Tbs. olive oil 1/4 tsp. black pepper, or to taste tsp. red pepper flakes, or to taste 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 cup chopped firmly packed fresh basil 1/2 cup diced onion 2 15-oz. cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained Salt or vegetable seasoning salt (see glossary) to tasteIn a large mixing bowl, combine vinegar, oil, black pepper, pepper flakes and garlic; beat lightly. Add tomatoes, basil, onion and beans. Toss to combine. Salt to taste. Makes 4 servings as a main dish or 8 as a side dish.Marinated TofuWhite Shoepeg Corn SaladThough the last thing you want to do is turn on the stove, a growling stomach waits for no one at dinnertime. But we have a hot idea that will help keep you cool during the dog days: no-cook meals.Butter BeansCore 6 tomatoes; cut horizontally into 1-inch slices. Arrange in large shallow dish; set aside.No-cookPocketsSlice off top third of each pita bread; open remaining bread to form pocket. Place equal amount of lettuce in each pita; fill with chickpea firing. Makes 4 large or 6 regular sandwiches.In a large bowl, combine chickpeas, peppers, onion, garlic, olives, artichokes and their liquid, vinegar, salt and pepper. Mix well; set aside.These marinated tofu cutlets require no cooking! While cutlets are marinating, assemble the White Shoepeg Corn Salad.Chickpea PitaTuscan Cannellini Supperwith Sesame CrumbsFor starters, prepared foods go a long way toward filling out a summer menu. Keep your eye on the deli, and on the canned and frozen food aisles; prepared foods can be spiced up with a few snipped herbs, a handful of chopped green onions or a sprinkle of sliced black olives. Fresh fruits and vegetables can be sliced and marinated or eaten plain as a side dish. And don't forget your grill (see "Glorious Grilled Meals," p. 46); it keeps the heat outdoors.Greek-Style Tofu SaladPER SERVING: 128 CAL.; 4G PROT.; 11G FAT; 5G CARB.; 3MG CHOL.; 125MG SOD.; 1G FIBER. LACTOTo serve, garnish with reserved cucumber, egg or tofu, onion, and parsley or cilantro. Serves 6.Helpful hint: To toast sesame seeds, place in nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; stir or shake pan constantly. Cook until seeds are light brown; remove from pan.Add all remaining ingredients, toss lightly and serve. Makes 6 servings.This nourishing, cold soup pairs nicely with the Chickpea Pita Pockets.2 10-oz. packages extra-firm tofu, drained 1/2 cup soy sauce 2 tsp. barley malt, brown rite syrup or maple syrup (see glossary) 2 Tbs. minced fresh ginger root 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 Tbs. cider vinegar 1 small onion, diced 1 1/2 cups whole grain bread crumbs 1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds (see helpful hint) 2 tsp. dark (toasted) sesame oil (see glossary) 1 Tbs. minced parsley 1/2 tsp. salt (optional) 1/4 tsp. pepper Lettuce leavesIt takes only 10 minutes to prepare this dish.PER SERVING: 334 CAL.; 15G PROT.; 5G FAT; 60G CARB.; 0 CHOL.; 365MG SOD.; 13G FIBER. VEGAN

PER SERVING: 219 CAL.; 14G PROT.; 6G FAT; 27G CARB.; 0 CHOL.; 930MG SOD.; 4G FIBER. VEGAN

Letters - Brief Article

Open mind on open access

The railroad industry's future involves seeking and gaining freight traffic going down the highways. It demands fast, reliable service that pays well. Coal is going down. Agribusiness is looking more fondly at the coastal and inland waterway systems with shorter haul rail and trucking connections. The chemical industry is using the same systems for service that is economical, reliable, and safer."Open access" seeks to give railroads and their customers the advantages and traffic levels that airlines and truck lines enjoy. Shorter trains should be able to run point-to-point, without intermediate classification and yarding, via the most direct routes. Regional jets bypass hubs, and trucks run dock-to-dock. This will mean changes in railroad operations. Growth is going to require smaller dispatching/train control districts for more intensely used track. Locomotives may require cabs at both ends, with "sleeper accommodation." (The older SD40/SD40-2s with their long porches would be ideal for such conversion.) More growth will lead to permanent track structures that do not require the maintenance of current ballasted track. Positive Train Control would insure safety, male train inter-routing as easy as loading computer instructions, and increase line capacity.If the railroad industry cannot make the change to open access, it will reach "the end of the line."David B. WilliamsThe advocates of the most advanced "open access" are not against private ownership and private property. They seek more competition and better service. This would separate train operations and line route provision. Separate companies would own separate and competing railroad routes. Other separate companies would provide train transportation service. Like the airlines, these train operators could layer out into local, regional, and long-distance firms. The local would connect the individual shippers and receivers on each line with "line haul" companies chosen by the rail service customers.Maryland Heights, Mo.John W. Barriger, a virtuoso in railroad turnarounds, would have cited the remarks of a German industrialist: "Either change the figures, or change the faces." Today, the freight railroad industry is faced with either extinction or real growth. Electrical utility industry studies indicate that deregulation will drive rapid conversion to more efficient power generation. That will be combined gas turbine/steam turbine, with the latter driven by steam generated by the hot exhaust of the former. These studies anticipate that one of the two major western rail systems will be driven into bankruptcy with the loss of coal traffic. This bankruptcy will cascade to connecting systems. Federal and state railroad regulators are well aware of this.

David B. Williams

Afghanistan: from here to eternity? - American military policy

"With home-bred hordes the hillsides teem The troopships bring us one by one, At vast expense of time and steam To slay Afridis where they run The 'captives of the bow and spear' Are cheap alas! as we are clear."

Criticism of American Afghanistan policy can best be characterized as reflexive reactions based on obsolete worldviews combined with juvenile demands for instantaneous success. If it is not successful by now, it therefore must be a failure. Some examples: When describing necessarily violent activities undertaken by American-supported anti-Taliban factions, anti-American journalist Robert Fisk in the Independent (UK) uses phrases like "This is just how the Americans began in Vietnam," and asserts that "Afghanistan is on the brink of another disaster." Of course, in this view, America is to blame. (2) Analyst Jim Lobe penned an article entitled "Afghanistan Quagmire," in which he shrilly stated that "Afghanistan is beginning to look like a quagmire rather than a victory, with echoes of the confusion and uncertainty and persistent blood-shedding of Vietnam." (3)American policy in Afghanistan is at a crossroads, or so it appears. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld suggested in May 2003 that the war on terror in Afghanistan was in "cleanup" or "mop up" phase. (1) Overshadowed by the swift American military victory in Iraq, the images of airmobile troops and special operations forces rooting out al Qaeda in remote Afghanistan mountains took a back seat to images of M1A1 Abrams tanks sweeping through the desert destroying Iraq's Republican Guard. Indeed, by the end of 2003, the problematic aspects of the American-led reconstruction effort in Iraq continued to dominate discourse.At the same time, critics darkly hinted that Afghanistan was "another Vietnam" when aspects of the ongoing but low-level Taliban terrorist activities popped up in the media in the fall of 2003. Those seeking to attack American reconstruction policy in Iraq point to Afghanistan and claim that it is somehow a failed prototype, that the credibility of the American reconstruction effort in Iraq is somehow linked to the credibility of the American-led effort in Afghanistan. These are dangerous and simplistic arguments. Afghanistan is a complex place in its own right: it has a unique ethnic makeup, geography, social structure, economics, and military factors. It is by no means analogous to Iraq in any way. Imprecise perceptions, some deliberately constructed, could distort the reality of the situation in Afghanistan and where the United States stands after two years of operations there. If we are not clear about what the issues are, we may create unrealizable expectations about what can be accomplished, with the kind of subsequent media backlash which is extant in Iraq.In other cases, organizations with specific interests in the Afghanistan situation have raised criticisms to bolster their proposed policies (and perhaps potential involvement) without taking into account the wider view necessary to take in the magnitude of the problems in Afghanistan. Human Rights Watch demands that the UN-mandated but now NATO-led Kabul stabilization mission, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), (4) should be expanded into other urban centers to provide "greater security" for reconstruction, the protection of women's rights, the return of refugees, and to reign in "regional warlords." (5) Josh Pollack in DFI International's Current Defense Analyses argues that heavy weapons must be stored, and combatants must be demobilized and then be reintegrated into society. ISAF, therefore, should be expanded and provided with the capability to "stop any Afghan faction from playing a spoiler role" while at the same time building up "a capable, centralized, and balanced indigenous military force." (6)The Unfolding StrategyThere are two distinctly conflicting visions of Afghanistan, once the Vietnam faux-analogists' unhelpful assertions are discarded. The "ideal" vision of Afghanistan held by numerous Western observers consists of something which resembles a semi-modernized quasi-European state with a prosperous economy, where there is little or no political violence and everybody's human rights are protected by a strong central government which can project power throughout the territorial confines of what we call Afghanistan.The CriticsThe International Crisis Group, like the others, argues that the "international community" must increase ISAF to 25,000 to 30,000 troops and expand it to other population centers to "monitor potential disputes" which could disrupt the political process. The development of a legal system and a human rights monitoring mechanism could then be introduced. (7) Indeed, after consulting some refugees in Iran, the Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research at Harvard University is more than willing to provide detailed if unsolicited advice on how Afghans should run their country, with suggestions like "the new administration should prevent discrimination against any ethnic or political group" and "disarm everybody throughout the country." The implications of these arguments are that some international force should run the show in Afghanistan, not American-led forces or even the Afghans. (8)This vision is tempered by two realities. The first is the impact of events that the United States put in motion in Afghanistan after 11 September 2001, given the circumstances of Taliban control over the territory of Afghanistan and al Qaeda's presence in it, leading to the collapse of the regime. The second reality relates to what the current power brokers in Afghanistan will allow in the wake of all of this. These two realities will not be altered all of a sudden by the pronouncements of the pundits and the demands of the NGOs. Perhaps they should not be radically altered. If we are going to formulate a future American policy and strategy for Afghanistan, we have to operate in the realm of the possible, keeping in mind that mid-course corrections are not always achievable or even desirable.--Rudyard Kipling, "Arithmetic on the Frontier"The Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) campaign in Afghanistan, in fact, is the complete antithesis of American involvement in Vietnam in the 1960s. The first phase (12) of the war in Afghanistan lasted from approximately 7 October 2001 to 6 or 7 December 2001. In those two months, the first American objective was achieved with a combination of special operations forces, anti-Taliban proxy armies, and selective use of airpower to support both. The irony is that the Taliban regime collapsed far ahead of schedule. Mazari Sharif, for example, was expected to hold out well into 2002, as were other urban locations like Herat. US Central Command (CENTCOM) plans originally conceived the first phase as a shaping campaign pending the introduction of large-scale conventional forces to reduce these strong points alongside the indigenous proxy forces. In early 2002, the equivalent of an airmobile brigade group was deployed, but this formation was much smaller than the unneeded but planned-for division or corps-sized options. (13)

The Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) campaign in Afghanistan, in fact, is the complete antithesis of American involvement in Vietnam in the 1960s. The first phase (12) of the war in Afghanistan lasted from approximately 7 October 2001 to 6 or 7 December 2001. In those two months, the first American objective was achieved with a combination of special operations forces, anti-Taliban proxy armies, and selective use of airpower to support both. The irony is that the Taliban regime collapsed far ahead of schedule. Mazari Sharif, for example, was expected to hold out well into 2002, as were other urban locations like Herat. US Central Command (CENTCOM) plans originally conceived the first phase as a shaping campaign pending the introduction of large-scale conventional forces to reduce these strong points alongside the indigenous proxy forces. In early 2002, the equivalent of an airmobile brigade group was deployed, but this formation was much smaller than the unneeded but planned-for division or corps-sized options. (13)

Only the pope can resolve widening chasm on ministry

It was a steaming July day in the province of Quebec. In a Benedictine abbey near where the Ottawa and St. Lawrence Rivers converge, a sister sat across from me in a white wimple, heavy shapeless habit, lace-up shoes and a long veil that fell in impeccable folds. She was perhaps in her late 30s, but it was hard to tell. As I mopped the sweat from my face and shook my long summer skirt to get some airflow, she remained serene, her plump face perspiration-free in spite of its tight casing. She looked, in fact, radiant as she offered me a glass of cold water. I arrived unannounced, and so I must have interrupted her at some activity, but she sat before me as ff I were the only person in the world who mattered. Later, at vespers, after the 30-odd nuns filed into the chapel in twos, genuflecting in perfect formation behind the cloister grille, she leaned across to help me as my sticky hands fumbled with the pages.

Often, however, the line refuses to remain straight; it wants to bend, to turn in another direction. Call it creativity, enlightenment, progress. Call it the movement of the Holy Spirit if you want--who knows? Whatever the prompting, a few days later I found myself a couple of hours' drive down the highway, joining a small crowd as nine women were ordained, so they said, as Roman Catholic deacons and priests."You gotta start somewhere," said a Catholic woman watching the scene from the river's edge. But where? Is a female hierarchy the place to start? I wonder if it is wise to move ordinations outside the authority of Rome, thus giving the official church good reason to dismiss them. Are these ordinations based on an outmoded theology of priesthood? What about new models of ministry? Why does priesthood continue to hold overwhelming primacy? Perhaps it is time to break open a new understanding of the sacrament of orders.The official church line is that this was a nonevent, yet the three presiding bishops seemed to respect the new pope. The husband of one of them studied with Joseph Ratzinger at the University of Munich and regularly listened to the music of Schubert with him. She does not take seriously the decree of excommunication she received after her ordination to the priesthood in 2002 and in fact describes with a kind of delight the sensuousness of the rich vellum on which the decree was written. She remains hopeful that the pope will eventually accept her undertaking as an act of wisdom.She admires Pope Benedict XVI, she told me. For him, she said, it is a matter of "le droit"--the right way--and her hand sliced through the air like a chainsaw cutting along a straight line.[Mary Frances Coady is a writer living in Toronto. Her latest book is With Bound Hands: A Jesuit in Nazi Germany.]The ceremony took place on a boat on the St. Lawrence River, with three women bishops from Europe dressed in flowing red vestments officiating. The nine ordinands (four priests and five deacons ranging in age from 40s to 60s) wore white albs and multicolored stoles. Friends in lightweight finery pressed onto the boat, jostling together around TV equipment, and squeezed into the benches of the makeshift church. As the boat left the shore, the ritual unfolded, remaining scrupulously close to the Roman liturgy, albeit with the expansiveness of inclusive language. Each candidate was presented to the assembly by someone close to her: a husband presented his wife of 38 years, a young woman presented her beloved older sister. All spoke with heartfelt simplicity, and I felt my eyes tearing up. I was also moved by the sight of the nine as they prostrated themselves facedown on the floor while we chanted the litany of the saints.Some of the newly ordained say they are subverting the system by entering into it, and who knows? This may be an effective strategy. You gotta start somewhere.

[Mary Frances Coady is a writer living in Toronto. Her latest book is With Bound Hands: A Jesuit in Nazi Germany.]

STEAMED UP BY STU

NEW BB hunk Stuart Pilkington has only just arrived but is already the object of two housemates' desire.

Lovestruck Sylvia Barrie, 21, jumped into a bath with Stu and later tried to get into bed with him.But just hours later the superfit personal trainer was flirting with single mum Jenny Clark, 22, despite her two-week "romance" with Dale Howard, 21.The pair teased each other in front of Dale, mimicking each other's northern accents.Stu, 25, chased Jenny around the house with a mop in yesterday's cleaning task and later draped his legs across hers as they lay together on a bed.They squirted cleaning fluid at each other, raced into the bedroom and had a pillow fight, falling on to a bed.

They squirted cleaning fluid at each other, raced into the bedroom and had a pillow fight, falling on to a bed.