In the bible, a few days after Jesus was born, the Roman Governor went to Bethlehem and killed all the infants – it is known as the Massacre of the Innocents and Peter Paul Rubens painted the subject. Herod the Great did it because of rumors of the birth of the next king and he did not want to be challenged. After the United States was discovered and immigrants from Europe begin to flood into the country for opportunity, they first went to the cities and then when offered free land moved inwards. As they moved inwards, it was discovered natives used a large tract of land for hunting and considered the land their territory. A few settlers were likely welcomed, however as more came conflict happened. In reality, Britain and France were firmly established in the North American and used the native tribes in their battles against each other to take leadership of the continent. Britain eventually won the Indian Wars and later lost the Independence War to establish the United States.

During the Indian wars, the battles went on and one of the garrison of Fort William Henry at the southern end of Lake George in what is now upstate New York was massacred. The call for revenge or remembrance was on the British side. What happened is the story of the White Devil by Stephen Brumwell published by Da Capo Press, Cambridge, Mass, 2004. Part of the reasons, the British and French were using the natives was the military was based on battle in open spaces. Anyone who travels the northeast will quickly realize there was not many open spaces. Somebody had to adapt. Eventually the British picked Major Robert Rodgers who would write the manual for fighting in the woods. Rogers Rangers ( yes Special Forces trace their lineage to the Ranger of Major Rogers) for fighting in the woods is similar to guerilla warfare. For example. when marching through the woods – march in single file, each person about 20 yards apart to prevent surprise. Major Rogers wrote there remain a thousand occurrences and circumstances for which no established procedure existed; at these times every man’s reason and judgement must be his guide. Above all, it was essential for the commander of such troops to preserve a firmness and presence of mind of every occasion.

In war, people desire revenged for losses, whether they should or should not is something to be dwelled on afterwards. In the case of the British they lost a Fort and sent Rogers Rangers to defeat the enemy (generally meaning the males of fighting age. The Rangers travelled north to the St. Lawrence and wiped out an established native village near the St. Francis River and Lake St. Pierre – the people were killed and the village burned. Was it necessary for all the lost of life? was it necessary to drop the Atomic bombs in Japan? We do know the battles soon stopped and forthe natives, Major Rogers was called the White Devil and in the urban areas of the United States Rogers was considered a hero.

Linking to dividend paying stocks, fortunately in business people are not killed, companies are, but not people. Dividend paying companies have established a market share and margins to produce profits and can buy their opposition or work to ensure the opposition do not take market share or margins from them. We celebrate success, which is a good thing, knowing decisions were made which allowed success to happen.

There are more questions than answers, till the next time – to raising questions.