Sometimes we forget that when the various Eastern European countries chose communism it was their choice: The Russian army did not fix bayonets in front of all the various parliaments. That recent autobiography of the German chancellor, Merkel, makes it clear that a lot of people believed. Too bad loss of freedom is such a one-way gate.
I take comfort in the phrase "most of the time." To me, democracy is when most of the people, most of the time, will do the right thing—provided they have the information.
Right now most of the media does not know what sane washing is, does not know how to effectively report on a flooding of lies—but they could still learn.
Right now most of the Supreme Court, most of congress, and most of the people believe in being democracy-challenged... but they could still change. Most of the time does not mean "all the time."
Say, I wonder if student reporters at campus newspapers are somehow learning to set an example? I might go ask.
“Orange Crate Art” is a song by Van Dyke Parks and the title of a 1995 album by Van Dyke Parks and Brian Wilson. “Orange Crate Art” is for me one of the great American songs: “Orange crate art was a place to start.”
Don’t look for premiums or coupons, as the cost of the thoughts blended in ORANGE CRATE ART pro- hibits the use of them.
Comments are welcome, appended to posts or by e-mail. I moderate comments to keep out spam, so please be patient.
Life is to be lived, not controlled; and humanity is won by continuing to play in the face of certain defeat.
Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man
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Νέος ἐφ’ ἡμέρῃ ἥλιος. [The sun is new every day.]
Heraclitus
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Every day is a new deal.
Harvey Pekar, “Alice Quinn”
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Nos plus grandes craintes, comme nos plus grandes espérances, ne sont pas au-dessus de nos forces, et nous pouvons finir par dominer les unes et réaliser les autres. [Our worst fears, like our greatest hopes, are not outside our powers, and we can come in the end to triumph over the former and to achieve the latter.]
Marcel Proust, Finding Time Again
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Surely, in the light of history, it is more intelligent to hope rather than to fear, to try rather than not to try.
Eleanor Roosevelt, You Learn by Living
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I don’t really deeply feel that anyone needs an airtight reason for quoting from the works of writers he loves, but it’s always nice, I’ll grant you, if he has one.
J.D. Salinger, Seymour: An Introduction
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I’m not afraid to get it right I turn around and I give it one more try
Sufjan Stevens, “Jacksonville”
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L’attention est la forme la plus rare et la plus pure de la générosité. [Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.]
comments: 3
Sometimes we forget that when the various Eastern European countries chose communism it was their choice: The Russian army did not fix bayonets in front of all the various parliaments. That recent autobiography of the German chancellor, Merkel, makes it clear that a lot of people believed. Too bad loss of freedom is such a one-way gate.
I take comfort in the phrase "most of the time." To me, democracy is when most of the people, most of the time, will do the right thing—provided they have the information.
Right now most of the media does not know what sane washing is, does not know how to effectively report on a flooding of lies—but they could still learn.
Right now most of the Supreme Court, most of congress, and most of the people believe in being democracy-challenged... but they could still change. Most of the time does not mean "all the time."
Say, I wonder if student reporters at campus newspapers are somehow learning to set an example? I might go ask.
Sean, this comment, which has nothing to do with my post, is something you should post on your blog.
Sometimes I get too excited. I humbly thank you for your advice.
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