Message-ID: <Pine.GSO.3.93.961230095848.8697A-100000@purple.tmn.com> Date: Mon, 30 Dec 1996 10:11:27 -0500 From: Tom Abeles <mailto:tabeles@TMN.COM> Subject: Re: Escalating philosophising To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
Dave Johnson's late night musings after several brandies is actually worthy of very serious discussion because, in many ways, his experience and sentiments might have been similar to those of one of the founding fathers of the United States, Thomas Jefferson and some of his colleagues who belileved in the ideal of Noblise Oblige. The United States was created as a Republic- not an egaliltarian democracy- for many of the concerns voiced by Dave. Jefferson favored land holders over landless for the privilege of voting and many other distincitons which are still part of the cultural milleau toda.While alcohol can often "cloud men's minds"- it is also a powerful solvent that can wipe away the haze on glass and often serves as a lubricant to lossen the gears between ears- in moderate doses-
sometimes idealism and realism are like oil and water- it takes a very good emulsifying agent to bring the two together and we don't know what this is.
It will be very interesting to see what happens in Guatamala
cheers
tom abeles mailto:tabeles@tmn.com