It is an appealing metaphor, but not very practical. Moreover, "the content of their character" ignores the fact that people who focus on superficial attributes, like skin color or height are probably not able to perceive the immaterial attributes that make up character. MLK Jr was an idealist, much like GWB, who tried to bring Iraq democracy by bombing the cradle of civilization to smithereens. Good intentions. Idealists, it turns out, are not people who aim for the perfect. Rather, they are people who respond to the idea of a thing, rather than reality. Plato introduced the notion that "first comes the idea." Then we had Descartes , I think, who pronounced "I think, therefor I am." Tangible reality is not important. Cognition, of course does not set in until about the age oftwo. Self-awareness; some people never get there.
Well, it seems to me that the "idealists," as you call them, are often rather stalwart humans. MLK Jr and John of the Cross, for example, did some of their best writing from prison. Both of them wrote sternly to their peers, as well. MLK to the Christian and other religious leaders. John of the Cross was actually thrown in jail by his own religious order. Idealists don't tow the line. They lead toward a better vision of life. And I certainly don't class visionaries with GWB.
My mother always said that if she'd been born black (Knee-grow), she'd have been Nat Turner. I believed her: she was passionate. . . . As is was, use of the N----- word got you cayenne pepper on your tongue. Only thing it was ever used for as far as I remember. . . .
The one which ends in 'er', not the one which ends in "o". . . . I personally was relieved when both Black and African American became acceptable to the Black community. . . .
Our teenage sons, in their home schooling days, made a pitch for a rule change in the household. We were studying Civil Rights at the time, and they fashioned it in terms of an "I Have a Dream" speech....which is pretty funny when you realise they were pitching for a later bedtime! They got an extra hour.
Last night I started Our Oriental Heritage first volume of Will and Arial Durant's monumental The Story of Civilization. The table of contents is amazing, and the book runs for over forty-six hours. I'm really looking forward to getting into it. Was too tired last night, so will have to start Chapter One again. What an accomplishment! And to think there are eleven more volumes. This will certainly keep me busy.
Back at Volume III, when Will was still alone on the cover, my dad paid me $20 to read Caesar and Christ. Took me most of 7th grade. Not saying I understood it all, but since it was a deal my my dad, every single word got read, at least once. I did know, even then, that it was and odd thing for a 13 year old girl to have under her belt. And am as grateful now as I was then. That $20 equaled what I would have gotten paid for 80 hours of babysitting. Also 80 hours of sorting rivets for my dad, my other job for him.
So I had my consultation with a cardiac surgeon re my small aortic aneurysm. It turns out that the only treatmetn for an aneurysm is major surgery, and mine is much too small for that. At may age, even follow-up with biennial CAT scans is optional: If it did get that much bigger, would I really want major surgery at age 89? So what did I decide about CAT scans? I scheduled one, with the idea that I could cancel if I change my mind two years from now.
I have nothing personal against Trump. I simply think he was a bad and dengerous president and will ro everything I can to prevent him or DeSantis being elected in 2024.
Nor have I any personal relationship with him at all. I am not uninterested in his goings-on, but I am disinterested. I have confidence in the jurors. ----Alan
It is an appealing metaphor, but not very practical. Moreover, "the content of their character" ignores the fact that people who focus on superficial attributes, like skin color or height are probably not able to perceive the immaterial attributes that make up character. MLK Jr was an idealist, much like GWB, who tried to bring Iraq democracy by bombing the cradle of civilization to smithereens. Good intentions.
ReplyDeleteIdealists, it turns out, are not people who aim for the perfect. Rather, they are people who respond to the idea of a thing, rather than reality. Plato introduced the notion that "first comes the idea." Then we had Descartes , I think, who pronounced "I think, therefor I am." Tangible reality is not important. Cognition, of course does not set in until about the age oftwo. Self-awareness; some people never get there.
Well, it seems to me that the "idealists," as you call them, are often rather stalwart humans. MLK Jr and John of the Cross, for example, did some of their best writing from prison. Both of them wrote sternly to their peers, as well. MLK to the Christian and other religious leaders. John of the Cross was actually thrown in jail by his own religious order. Idealists don't tow the line. They lead toward a better vision of life. And I certainly don't class visionaries with GWB.
DeleteToday's weather--
ReplyDeleteHi: 69°F
Me? HAPPY!
My mother always said that if she'd been born black (Knee-grow), she'd have been Nat Turner. I believed her: she was passionate. . . . As is was, use of the N----- word got you cayenne pepper on your tongue. Only thing it was ever used for as far as I remember. . . .
puddle~~
Yay, Mom!
DeleteWhen did negro become a dirty word? It was good enough for Langston Hughes and Martin Luther King...
Delete
DeleteThe one which ends in 'er', not the one which ends in "o". . . . I personally was relieved when both Black and African American became acceptable to the Black community. . . .
puddle~~
Trump White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows has taken the stand in federal court in Atlanta [Click] Risky—exposes him to cross examination.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteLIVE COVERAGE: Judge Chutkan Expected To Set Trial Date In Trump Jan 6 Case [Click]
Chutkan To Trump Lawyers: ‘You’ve Known This Was Coming’
Trump Lawyers Try And Fail To Explain Why Case Is So ‘Complex’
Government Pokes Holes In Trump Request For Substantial Delay
Judge sets 4 March 2024 trial date for Trump’s federal election case
Delete---Alan
Excellent. Just wish they were starting it more like January 6th of last year.
DeleteOur teenage sons, in their home schooling days, made a pitch for a rule change in the household. We were studying Civil Rights at the time, and they fashioned it in terms of an "I Have a Dream" speech....which is pretty funny when you realise they were pitching for a later bedtime! They got an extra hour.
ReplyDeleteWhat happens to fascist architecture after fascism? [Click]
ReplyDelete—Alan
This article becomes rather confusing in a spot near the end--as if a bit were excised. Or is that purposeful?
Delete----Alan
‘They would not listen to us’: inside Arizona’s troubled $53bn chip plant [Click]
ReplyDelete—Alan
Last night I started Our Oriental Heritage first volume of Will and Arial Durant's monumental The Story of Civilization. The table of contents is amazing, and the book runs for over forty-six hours. I'm really looking forward to getting into it. Was too tired last night, so will have to start Chapter One again. What an accomplishment! And to think there are eleven more volumes. This will certainly keep me busy.
ReplyDeleteMarvelously well written; worth reading almost for the quality of the English alone.
Delete---Alan
Back at Volume III, when Will was still alone on the cover, my dad paid me $20 to read Caesar and Christ. Took me most of 7th grade. Not saying I understood it all, but since it was a deal my my dad, every single word got read, at least once. I did know, even then, that it was and odd thing for a 13 year old girl to have under her belt. And am as grateful now as I was then. That $20 equaled what I would have gotten paid for 80 hours of babysitting. Also 80 hours of sorting rivets for my dad, my other job for him.
Deletepuddle~~
So I had my consultation with a cardiac surgeon re my small aortic aneurysm. It turns out that the only treatmetn for an aneurysm is major surgery, and mine is much too small for that. At may age, even follow-up with biennial CAT scans is optional: If it did get that much bigger, would I really want major surgery at age 89? So what did I decide about CAT scans? I scheduled one, with the idea that I could cancel if I change my mind two years from now.
ReplyDeleteRight. It’s always easier to cancel an appointment than to make one.
DeleteVery reasonable, Bill. We hope for the best.
Delete----Alan
'It Must Be Killing Trump:' How Black women are holding Trump accountable [Click]
ReplyDeleteYeah, the poor SOB has been having a rough time lately, and it's just going to get rougher. Lord forgive me, isn't it delicious?
DeleteSelfish fellow that I am, I also enjoy it greatly and look forward to much more. It still amazes me that Trump hasn't long since fled.
Delete-----Alan
Via politicalwire.com:
DeleteDonald Trump posted on Truth Social that he will appeal the trial date set today by a “Trump hating judge.”
Former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti: “He can’t appeal the judge’s scheduling order.”
---Alan
I have nothing personal against Trump. I simply think he was a bad and dengerous president and will ro everything I can to prevent him or DeSantis being elected in 2024.
DeleteNor have I any personal relationship with him at all. I am not uninterested in his goings-on, but I am disinterested. I have confidence in the jurors.
Delete----Alan
Trump May Be Stuck In Court During Primary Season [Click] No problem; Gene Debs campaigned from federal prison.
ReplyDelete—Alan
‘A crime on every citizen:’ Shaker Heights lawyer who donated to Trump headed to prison in election fraud case [Click] Unsurprisingly, a registered Republican.
ReplyDelete—Alan