Struggles are interesting things. They point out our strengths and our weaknesses. I'm reminded of the toothpick bridges built in high school physics. After the construction phase, the teacher would lead the class into the woodshop workroom and subject each bridge to the press -- the stress test. Some bridges, once the threshold was exceeded, simply cracked. Some would explode much like a ticker tape parade (thank goodness for safety goggles!).
After the '89 quake ...