Historical Precedent - Back to the Future

I love history. I have two degrees in it: B.A. (British - University of Wisconsin - Madison), M.A. (Canadian, University of Toronto), plus one year as a special student in the Honours School of History and Political Science at the University of Dublin. Futurists recognize that history can offer precedents, themes, and models for how the future might look. Arnold J. Toynbee (1889-1975) offers such an insight in his twelve-volume Study of History. In it, he argues, unlike the Romans who imported their barbarians, we today seem intent on growing our own at home. The mounting evidence around me confirms Toynbee's status as a "Futurist." He went back to the future. Get ready. We are going to be fighting yet for our lives as our homegrown barbarians encroach on our safety because sentimental psycho-babble has sapped society of the will to run them out before they run us under. Yes, history can repeat. It often repeats as farce because we fail to heed its precedents. Or as my late uncle observed, "same tune, second verse." Our lesson about our future for today is now over. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon - in a safe place.