Courage, persistence and resolution does not always win out over overwhelming odds. But it should win our respect.
Eminent Domain in China:
A Chinese couple's battle to stop developers from razing their home has finally come to an end with a negotiated agreement that results in their house in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality being demolished. Their house has been dubbed the "nail house" that refused to be hammered down, survived standing in the center of a ten-meter-deep pit dug by the real estate developer. 
They survived without water or electricity for two years! After all their utilities were turned off, they survived by tug a kitchen gas bottle to the house and other necessities up by rope!
Note their appeal to public sympathy based upon patriotism (flag) and the Constitution of China.
Two determined people who dogged it out: Wu Ping and Yang Wu, I salute you!
3 weeks ago
8 comments:
This is an apt allegory for a very personal struggle of my own currently. A blogging friend of mine recently sent me this from Daisaku Ikeda:
"Strength is Happiness. Strength is itself victory. In weakness and cowardice there is no happiness. When you wage a struggle, you might win or you might lose. But regardless of the short-term outcome, the very fact of your continuing to struggle is proof of your victory as a human being."
Talk about a testament to the human spirit. Even though they finally had to let go they held for far longer than many others would have. One of my biggest problems with many here in the US is the now widespread attitude that homes are just investments. A home to me is a place of traditions, memories, and family. They seemed to believe the same thing.
Picture the "nail" house on the mound as the bastion of morality and courage, and the sea of mud below as the swamp of human greed and self-absorption. Very few people would fit in the house of nails, while the rest of humanity can only wallow in life without true meaning.
You belong in the nail house, Vigilante.
BB, if I had read your comment without reading the name of its author, I would have known it would be yours. No one else has your gift for writing like that.
Kind words, Lil'Bill!
Little Bill rarely has a harsh word for anyone, (unless he's criticizing me for my position on immigration.)
That's not entirely true, messenger. I can't recall the subject, but I told Vigilante at one point that he should be hit upside the head.
As for immigration, did you go to my two articles published on 12/30/06 which should explain my views on the subject? They are in my archives. That subject becomes more important by the day, so let's talk.
Here is my chance to suggest, that there might have been other reason for this couple to hang on to their property, the ultimate greediness. They might have known, that they eventually could have the developer by the proverbial balls by refusing long enough in order to get basically what ever they wanted? I certainly hope that I am wrong and that they deserve your adulation...and mine.