North Dakota: On Track For Nearly 2,100 New Permits in 2012

With 686 new permits issued through April 1, 2012, North Dakota is on track to issue 2,086 new permits this year.

My database showed the following number of permits (may or may not include salt water disposal wells):

• 2012: 2,086 (estimate)
• 2011: 1,940
• 2010: 1,684 
• 2009: 629
• 2008: 956
• 2007: 497
• 2006: 422

Prior data. Numbers vary due to errors on my part. My numbers will be at slight variance with the NDIC because I occasionally miss a well, and salt water disposal wells may or may not be included. I don't know how the NDIC "counts" permits canceled shortly after they've been issued.

• 2011: 1,940
• 2010: 1,682
• 2009: 628
• 2008: 953
• 2007: 497
• 2006: 422

A Note to the Granddaughters

I think I mentioned earlier how much I am enjoying The Campaigns of Alexander: The Landmark Arrian, edited by James Romm, c. 2010.

I don't recall ever reading this much about Alexander the Great until reading this book. And until now, I've never really had a great appreciation for Alexander. His "greatness" and successes cannot be overstated. It is interesting to see why he succeeded.

Some disjointed, miscellaneous thoughts:

1. Mano o mano was in his blood. 

2. For Alexander, it was all about another conquest.

3. He was fast, but not brash, not rash. Of all his tactical military skills, his lightning speed stands out the most. His organization and employment of his cavalry and infantry is incredible, and I see the long green line from his methods to those used by the US Army today (as I learned in Air War College, USAF). He was most adept at deploying his units in new and unconventional ways. See number 9 below.

4. Strategically and tactically he excelled.

5. It was amazing how fast he marched his troops, but he knew when to rest them. His men must have worshipped him as a god, doing anything he requested, no matter how impossible, how difficult.

6. He was extremely magnanimous, often rewarding his "enemy" if he had fought well.

7. I found it incredible how many serious injuries he suffered; survived. He was at the front of/with his men going into battle.

8. I found it incredible how he could command hundreds of thousands of troops. He used runners, fires, closely spaced "human radios."

9. In the battle with King Poros this jumped out: at one point, Alexander's army was in a bit of difficulty. Without his orders, his men -- and we're talking tens of thousands -- took it upon themselves to "fall back" (not retreat; but to take stock of the situation), and re-organize ("unity of command, delegation of authority"). Much more could be written about this.

If one had only enough time / interest to read one battle waged by Alexander, I would recommend his successful battle with King Poros, in the area of the modern day Punjab, Pakistan: pages 197 to 221, beginning with:

In the country Alexander invaded between the River Kophen and the Indus, a city known as Nysa was said to have been settled. The city was said to have been founded by Dionysos after he had subdued the Indians -- whoever that Dionysos may have been, and whenever and from wherever he made war on the Indians.

The writer (Arrian) talks about how Alexander had his men take apart their boats, and reconstruct them under cover of night in a new location; how incredibly clever their pontoon bridges were; how he floated men AND HORSES across a raging river on sewn hides filled with hay. Can you imagine the site of horses floating on hay-filled bags made of hide? He understood the fear horses have of elephants (Indian elephants in this case) and how he responded. In the end, the Indian elephants caused greater damage to his enemy than to Alexander. After a hard fought battle in which he was nearly fatally injured, Alexander was so impressed with his adversary's officership and ability as a war-fighting general, that he had his men catch up with King Poros. They were instructed to bring King Poros back to Alexander which he did.

Alexander spoke first and urged Poros to say what he hoped would befall him. Poros is said to have replied, "Treat me like a king, Alexander."

"Pleased with the response, Alexander said, "that will be done, Poros, on my own account. But on your account, say what would be to your liking."

Poros replied that everything was contained in that wish. And Alexander, even more pleased with this repsonse, granted Poros sovereignty over the very Indians he had been ruling and added another territory even more extensive than his former domain. Thus he had treated a brave man like a king, and thereafetr enjoyed the man's unswerving loyalty.

I have come to many forks in the roads of my life, and many, many coming-of-age experiences, but one of the most important for me was taking Latin from Mr Becker in eighth grade, or thereabouts. His enthusiasm was truly infectious; from that year on, I never forgot how much I enjoyed reading Greek and Roman history, and develop a love for philology, although I doubt many could have a more difficult time with languages than I have.

I hope you both get the chance to take a year of Latin from a "live" instructor, and not just on-line. Latin is not just the language, but the literature and the history. One needs an instructor bigger than life to bring Latin to life.