St. George, a damsel, and the dragon
Between Capitol Hill events I sometimes escape to the National Gallery of Art. The alabaster sculpture shown above is surrounded by much more dramatic Virgins of the late Medieval-early Renaissance. But this week St. George caught my attention.
His lance has already pierced the dragon’s breast. Angry jaws and claws are tearing just above the spear-point. The arm which thrust the lance is missing. So is his sword.
My subconscious immediately identified this St. George with homeland security. Brave, knows his duty, has done a great deal, even while key capabilities are broken. The dragon still lives. What does this analogy say about this week’s meetings or, for that matter, my subconscious?
But what really stopped me in my tracks is the headless damsel.
