Tsk, tsk. Doug, I can recall your quoting with approval F. Scott Fitzgerald's line about the test of a first-rate mind being the ability to hold contradictory thoughts at the same time. I yield to none in my ability to radiate Schopenhauerian gloom. Nevertheless, time and again I have also been a vigorous advocate hereabouts of Emerson's sunnyside-up philosophy of life. However much actually existing humankind stinks, I think humanity has tremendous positive potential that can be realized when people develop a greater awareness of the socialized nature of all individual accomplishment.
On a less lofty level, I can assure that I am immensely enjoying the spectacle of seeing Bush & Co. twist slowly, slowly in the wind, dangling at the end of their rope in Iraq. These are awful times, but some good may come of them. However, I think the good must come from spreading disillusionment, not by encouraging people to be grateful for any minuscule social progress of the past four decades.
Carl
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