My dear Ulrike,

In terms of Ashtani traditions and their coherence or otherwise with
your reputed 'truths' I can do no more than use my scintillating
rhetoric to present such things as a bunch of associated concepts which
make a greater or lesser degree of sense.

Number one is simple spin, a good advertisement or mission statement.

Number two is one of the viable uses of cruelty: of course you can weed
out the weak and feeble-minded with considerably greater efficiency and
profit with other methods, and cruelty has other more important uses,
notably for the sake of idle amusement.

Number three makes a commandment out of a lifestyle choice.

Number four is at best a reductive view of strength: forgiveness,
tolerance, and laxity of discipline all have their place alongside
strength. They usually make life a little more enjoyable. Also to call
such values effeminate is rather sexist, Ashtan has always had strong
women that were not masculine, however much the Nagaraja may wish she
were more penisful.

Numbers five, six and seven are all fair propositions of ways in which
goals may be achieved, although there are other ways.

Ashtan does what it likes, and it likes what it does. Do try not to tar
us with your brush, for we are selfish, and what finer pleasures exist
than to follow your own path and still kick some arses?


Yours Sincerely,

Mendax Mendacis

Penned by my hand on the 22nd of Mayan, in the year 443 AF.