On Wed, 5 Jan 2000 15:47:11 +0000, Bob George wrote: > I might wake up at 1300 to go to work, but so what? Why are we insisting on > sticking to an antiquated timebase intended to help early farmers which has > become totally out of sync with today's reality anyhow? In the Commonwealth of Virginia there is an official Treaty of Peace, still in effect, and claimed by both sides never to have been broken, and dated "At the Flying of the Geese" [sic.], no year or month is written on the document. The date is known in conventional terms also, but I have forgotten what year and day it was signed. Signers to the accord were The Governor of Virginia and the Chief of the Pamunki Indian Tribe. Among the many provisions of the treaty, there is a stipulation that requires that the treaty be re-ratified each year by both parties "At the Flying of the Geese" [sic.]. Because no exact date in conventional terms can be forecast for any year for this event to occur, all of the succeeding Governors of Virginia who have had to re-ratify this treaty (All of them did.) have also had to suddenly change their busy schedules so as to continue to honor the treaty. As for the Chief of the Pamunki Tribe, he has no problem whatsoever with performing his traditional duty of showing up each year at the Governor's Mansion, very punctually, "At the Flying of the Geese". As concerns the Indian's method of accounting for time, the geese always fly on nature's schedule. One day out of each year, the Governor of Virginia is obligated to adapt to nature's schedule, and must be prepared to receive the Chief "At the Flying of the Geese". Are the parties to the treaty out of sync with today's reality? According to a story told to me, the Pamunki Tribe and the White settlers were at one time long ago in history preparing to wage war against each other. Both sides sent their delegations to attempt to negotiate a peace agreement. During the lengthy discussions that ensued, it appeared that the negotiations would not succeed. Just when it seemed that all negotiations were breaking down, and the representnatives for both sides were preparing to depart on their separate ways, suddenly a huge flock of geese flew overhead. The tribal medicine man interpreted this as a good omen for peace, and he admonished all delegates to resume their negotiations. They all sat down by the campfire once again and within moments reached an agreement that continues in effect unto this day. This is the story that was related to me by tribal officials on the occasion of a visit I made to the Pamunki Indian Reservation in southeastern Virginia. They showed me a copy of the actual hand-written document. They claim that their treaty with the white settlers is the only treaty between white settlers and Indians that has ever been upheld, abided by, and consistently honored by the white people. To some people, a date can be very important! -- This mail was written by user of Arachne, the Alternative WWW Browser To unsubscribe from SURVPC send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with unsubscribe SURVPC in the body of the message. Also, trim this footer from any quoted replies.
