While this is good, I can’t help but wonder: if he had a mistress, why stay married? I can’t understand it. And why be married at all? (Esp. long after the children were grown.)

In describing the amount of time a complex discussion degenerates into terms fascism/nazism is XXXXX (senior moment here)

What is the term before Bobby Burns and his grand giftie is brought up?

Your mirror is near flawless, there is no distortion, if those peering into it allow its images.

When in need of protection from those bearing cross and flag, I recommend breaking out the Robert Maplethorpe. ;-)

“…a phase in Western philosophy and cultural life centered upon the eighteenth century, in which Reason was advocated as the primary source and basis of authority. Developing in Germany, France and Britain, the movement spread through much of Europe, including Russia and Scandinavia. The signatories of the American Declaration of Independence, the United States Bill of Rights and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen were motivated by “Enlightenment” principles (although the English Bill of Rights predates the era).
The intellectual and philosophical developments of that age (and their impact in moral and social reform) aspired towards governmental consolidation, centralisation and primacy of the nation-state, and greater rights for common people. There was also a strong attempt to supplant the authority of aristocracy and established churches in social and political life, forces that were viewed as reactionary, oppressive and superstitious.”

That age is now over. We have gone to the Age of the Lizard Brain, where people are manipulated and controlled by targeting their emotions over their reason: paranoia, envy, xenophobia, alienation, etc. Faith, in the sense of accepting without questioning or examining anything handed down by authority, is now the ruling principle our Rulers want us to live by – or else.

For now, ask those questions firmly, quietly and privately.

pretty sure it’s going to be either both (now and later) or neither. otherwise i’m just making myself part of the propaganda and americans have too much of that already.

The comment about the US still being an 18th century country is true, though I’ve thought about it not so much as re: the Civil War, but rather the firm streak of Puritanism (pointed out to me by European friends), tho both are probably correct in some measure.

It’s interesting what you say about expecting better of Americans, believing the myths you grew up with. And, I agree that we would be better off, much better off, if we lived up to those myths. Deal is, we have hardly ever lived up to those myths. We have perhaps produced one or two great documents- The Constitution with Bill of Rights, but it is a continuing battle to realize the essence of those.

I grew up in a household where there was a pretty clear recognition of the hypocrisy of most of the religious-speak and the political-speak, so I guess I never got imbued with those particular myths. And, also, being of the Vietnam generation, well, I guess that made me a bit of a cynic too.

Anyway, thanks for responding. Yes, it would be great if America lived up to the mythology, or rather, lived up to what it says it wants to be. That is a continuing battle, and that push is really what motives most people who come to FDL and like-minded sites.