[MD] Intellectual activity

[Platt Holden]

Hi Alice,

> Hi Platt,
> So glad you responded. I was afraid you might have considered my comment
> not worth responding to.

No worries. You've already demonstrated a high degree of quality in 
your posts to this site. I look forward to your ideas and comments.

> [Alice]
> For me style is a large part of the message
> [Platt]
>  For me style is irrelevant to substance.

[Alice] 
> This is one of the wonderful things about being human. We get to have
> our own point of view and interests. And there isn't a right or wrong
> involved. Freedom?

[Platt]
Yes. Freedom trumps most everything, especially differences of opinion. 
But, I'm sure it's not news to you that a measure of order must go hand 
in hand with freedom. Otherwise, chaos and anarchy reign.

[Alice]
> I believe that there are threats in the world. I do know a little about
> history. But I am not consumed with thinking about take-overs and loss
> of freedom. I am, however concerned aabout the direction our country is
> going in and I will give you a sample of the things which drive me a
> little crazy.
> 
>      Jerry Springer and Maury Povich are millionaires because they
>      pander to 
> the lowest instincts in the human psyche.

[Platt]
In the absence of social standards enforced by the social mythos, the 
level sinks to the lowest common denominator. That's the downside of 
democracy and egalitarianism.  

[Alice]
>      Americans are consuming junk at an alarming rate. The idea of
> craftsmanship is all but gone except on shows like "This Old House" and
> "Antique   Road Show" and we don't "make" anything anymore. I think this
> is a very dangerous trend.

[Platt]
Regardless of what others may say against the Victorians, they extolled 
craftsmanship.  I agree the loss of that value is dehumanizing.

[Alice]
> We have allowed millions of lawbreakers into our country and made
> it a  law that the citizens must provide them with health, education 
> and  welfare all under the rationalization that they are performing
> work that  Americans won't (which is a load of crap!) but the
> situation has made it  very difficult for Americans to do that kind
> of work because they are  being priced out. Six thousand  guardsmen
> (which we will also have to  pay for) will now be guarding the border
> about ten years too late.

[Platt]
I agree. Another colossal failure of government. But I've come to 
expect that regardless of what political party is in charge. 

[Alice]
>      American Idol is the most popular show on television.
> 
>      Serious writers can't get published but Danielle Steele writes and
> publishes a novel a year.
> 
> This is just a sample of my pet peeves and concerns. but this I know...
> 
> Most of the things above are caused by economics which is a moving train
> which can't be stopped and I don't think should be. It is a reflection
> of the wants and tastes of humans. It's evolving, man! and the pendulum
> will swing again and again and things will change.

[Platt]
Again, when society's standards are loosened, the hoi polloi come into 
their own. Civilizations come and go. It looks like Western 
civilization is on the decline, unwilling or unable to defend itself 
from the influx of foreign populations and aggressive forces. We risk 
losing it all because the current social mythos demands we bow at the 
holy altar of Tolerance. Unfortunately, it appears we may "tolerate" 
ourselves right out of existence. 

[Alice]
> And another Stalin may/will emerge, but we probably won't recognize him
> until its too late, but when we do, he will be crushed. That much
> history has taught us.

[Platt]
Yes. Eventually the wheel turns and history repeats itself. Our basic 
weakness seems to be we never learn, and millions must die as the 
result. But, with people like you carrying the torch of truth, beauty 
and goodness, there's hope. 

Thanks for your response. Keep 'em coming. :-)

Platt