Dear Scout,

THe flailing on the highwire is called "re-invention", a
continuing adventure that most outsiders fail to understand. And
it's that very dynamic balancing attempt that really makes the US
"the last, best hope for mankind". And it's no use asking for a
helping hand--almost no-one outside the US understands the
concept of re-invention, and the "hope" side of it they view as
revolting!

Now watch the piranhas boil in my WC bowl...

Flying Tadpole

Scout wrote:

"Capt. Mooron" wrote
It's pathetic you have even one state like that let alone a bible belt....
isn't the separation of church & state part of your basic governmental
basis?

Yes it is. The problem is that line is not always easy for some to see. The
roots of that separation clause are based not so much on the concept that
god and government are mutually exclusive components of a successful
society, but on the history of religious persecution that many
newbie-Americans had endured before coming here. The same world laughing at
us, in large part, is responsible for many of our citizens being here. God
I love irony.
Our founding fathers (your Uncles) believed in the importance of spiritual
responsibility. And why wouldn't they?; if the ostensible benefit of
religion is the promotion of moral behavior, a government would have to be
suicidal to denounce God. It would be counter-productive on just about every
level. But try balancing that with the equally important concept that no one
has the right to say who God is, what s/he/it wants of us (specifically),
what rules it should impose on society at large, how it should influence
national issues, spending, etc. etc. etc., and it's no wonder that we, as a
nation, appear to be constantly imbalanced and unstable, always ready to
fall from the high wire. I'm sure it looks funny from the spectator's
perspective, but that's only because they haven't reached the correct
conclusions about what will happen if that flailing guy falls. I believe the
majority of the world understands our predicament. Though they laugh, they
realize that our fall would start a mosh-pit on a global scale. The laughers
will run, of course, but **** would be flying everywhere (remember when they
blew up that whale on the beach?).
I don't consider us to be a melting pot as much as I do a high-pressure
boiler. We are a smaller version of the whole planet, with no oceans between
us to keep us from fighting. We have it all, people from just about every
culture, religion, ethnicity, tribe, neighborhood, and on and on, with all
that that entails, and we are trying to live together in peace and harmony.
It's gonna take a while to work out the bugs. I'm optimistic, but I think it
will take more than a few hundred years to get it together. If we can't do
it, it won't be any prettier for the rest of the world. How about giving us
a hand?
--
Scout
"Knowing the storm is coming only makes me more nervous."

--
Flying Tadpole

-------------------------
Learn what lies below the waves of cyberspace!
http://www.internetopera.netfirms.com

All good and true points Taddy, as usual.
As for the "how about giving us a hand" reference, I was being purposefully
ambiguous, hoping my good friend CM will continue to enjoy the laughter, but
will at least consider simultaneously applauding for the terrified
performer.
--
Scout
"Knowing the storm is coming only makes me more nervous."


"Flying Tadpole" wrote in message
...
Dear Scout,

THe flailing on the highwire is called "re-invention", a
continuing adventure that most outsiders fail to understand. And
it's that very dynamic balancing attempt that really makes the US
"the last, best hope for mankind". And it's no use asking for a
helping hand--almost no-one outside the US understands the
concept of re-invention, and the "hope" side of it they view as
revolting!

Now watch the piranhas boil in my WC bowl...

Flying Tadpole

Scout wrote:

"Capt. Mooron" wrote
It's pathetic you have even one state like that let alone a bible
belt....
isn't the separation of church & state part of your basic governmental
basis?

Yes it is. The problem is that line is not always easy for some to see.
The
roots of that separation clause are based not so much on the concept
that
god and government are mutually exclusive components of a successful
society, but on the history of religious persecution that many
newbie-Americans had endured before coming here. The same world
laughing at
us, in large part, is responsible for many of our citizens being here.
God
I love irony.
Our founding fathers (your Uncles) believed in the importance of
spiritual
responsibility. And why wouldn't they?; if the ostensible benefit of
religion is the promotion of moral behavior, a government would have to
be
suicidal to denounce God. It would be counter-productive on just about
every
level. But try balancing that with the equally important concept that no
one
has the right to say who God is, what s/he/it wants of us
(specifically),
what rules it should impose on society at large, how it should influence
national issues, spending, etc. etc. etc., and it's no wonder that we,
as a
nation, appear to be constantly imbalanced and unstable, always ready to
fall from the high wire. I'm sure it looks funny from the spectator's
perspective, but that's only because they haven't reached the correct
conclusions about what will happen if that flailing guy falls. I believe
the
majority of the world understands our predicament. Though they laugh,
they
realize that our fall would start a mosh-pit on a global scale. The
laughers
will run, of course, but **** would be flying everywhere (remember when
they
blew up that whale on the beach?).
I don't consider us to be a melting pot as much as I do a high-pressure
boiler. We are a smaller version of the whole planet, with no oceans
between
us to keep us from fighting. We have it all, people from just about
every
culture, religion, ethnicity, tribe, neighborhood, and on and on, with
all
that that entails, and we are trying to live together in peace and
harmony.
It's gonna take a while to work out the bugs. I'm optimistic, but I
think it
will take more than a few hundred years to get it together. If we can't
do
it, it won't be any prettier for the rest of the world. How about giving
us
a hand?
--
Scout
"Knowing the storm is coming only makes me more nervous."

--
Flying Tadpole

-------------------------
Learn what lies below the waves of cyberspace!
http://www.internetopera.netfirms.com

Hey, any country that can simultaneously produce and keep the
architecture of Vermont, Manhattan and southern California can't
be _all_ wrong! I just wish US schools would teach their kids
english AND english literature ---blunt hook warning

FT
--
Flying Tadpole

-------------------------
Learn what lies below the waves of cyberspace!
http://www.internetopera.netfirms.com


Scout wrote:

All good and true points Taddy, as usual.
As for the "how about giving us a hand" reference, I was being purposefully
ambiguous, hoping my good friend CM will continue to enjoy the laughter, but
will at least consider simultaneously applauding for the terrified
performer.

haha, I'm working on it - Yeoouchhhhhh! - now my lip hurts!
--
Scout
"Knowing the storm is coming only makes me more nervous."


"Flying Tadpole" wrote
---blunt hook warning

But why? It was, after all, a blunt hook. Did you bite your lip
while worrying about it?

Scout wrote:

haha, I'm working on it - Yeoouchhhhhh! - now my lip hurts!
--
Scout
"Knowing the storm is coming only makes me more nervous."

"Flying Tadpole" wrote
---blunt hook warning

--
Flying Tadpole

-------------------------
Learn what lies below the waves of cyberspace!
http://www.internetopera.netfirms.com

Impossible! Katy made me realize I have no teef!
--
Scout
"Knowing the storm is coming only makes me more nervous."


"Flying Tadpole" wrote
Did you bite your lip while worrying about it?

Scout,

Your "High wire act" isn't always easy to understand but it isn't new.
The Jews called it; "Fiddler on the Roof" others call it, "Fork in the
road of Life"

You are correct! There must be "Balance"
I wish I knew a good solid answer sometimes but then I do realize that
things do change and right and wrong is a dynamic situation and never,
ever a final solution.

A Sailor should know that better than most people. To get the best
sailing takes constant trimming. You can sail with bad trim and that is
your business but it is best to get the best trim without busting your
ass in the attempt. Isn't that pretty much like LIFE?

And that's enough of that! Quarter after eight in the morning and I got
a new main to teach me my lessons for today. A thermos of coffee, my dog
and I are gone!

Ole Thom

Well said Thom,
btw- I love that story (Fiddler) and cover it with my 12th graders. As Tevya
says, "it's all about balance - we are just trying to not fall off the
roof!"
And you're right, sailing is a great analogy, look how everyone is laughing
at the guy who screws up, but is out there, for all to see, even as he
crashes into a warship or two. He would have been much safer sitting at his
computer and arguing about sailing. I say, look at the courage of this guy,
negotiating, albeit unsuccessfully, with two ships designed to destroy
anything that floats. I'll laugh at him for his dumb mistakes, but I'm
gonna applaud him too.
--
Scout
"Knowing the storm is coming only makes me more nervous."


"Thom Stewart" wrote in message
...
Scout,

Your "High wire act" isn't always easy to understand but it isn't new.
The Jews called it; "Fiddler on the Roof" others call it, "Fork in the
road of Life"

You are correct! There must be "Balance"
I wish I knew a good solid answer sometimes but then I do realize that
things do change and right and wrong is a dynamic situation and never,
ever a final solution.

A Sailor should know that better than most people. To get the best
sailing takes constant trimming. You can sail with bad trim and that is
your business but it is best to get the best trim without busting your
ass in the attempt. Isn't that pretty much like LIFE?

And that's enough of that! Quarter after eight in the morning and I got
a new main to teach me my lessons for today. A thermos of coffee, my dog
and I are gone!

Ole Thom

What amazes me is that for some reason you believe the USA is the only
"melting pot" on the planet. I beg to differ as Canada is as mixed an ethnic
pool as the USA. We have all the religions and a diverse population. You
don't see the type of heat generated here as you do with our Southern
neighbours. Religious beliefs are tolerated and those who practice it are
free to do so to the degree they see fit... within the context of the law.
It seems to me that there is a battle going on in the USA to maintain
Christian beliefs, English as the language and blind patriotism as the
guiding force to the exclusion of all else.

Your basis for the USA melting pot theory in comparison to the Europeans
just doesn't hold water. The immigration of people into Europe from all over
the globe has been and is continuing to change the entire area. It has been
doing so for a while. Maybe due to the diverse languages and cultures that
lived in close proximity for centuries has provided for easier adaptation
and acceptance of other cultures and religions.

My point was that the superiority complex exhibited by many Americans does
not hold up in the light of day... and much of their supposed generosity has
a steep price tag.

CM



"Flying Tadpole" wrote in message
...
| Dear Scout,
|
| THe flailing on the highwire is called "re-invention", a
| continuing adventure that most outsiders fail to understand. And
| it's that very dynamic balancing attempt that really makes the US
| "the last, best hope for mankind". And it's no use asking for a
| helping hand--almost no-one outside the US understands the
| concept of re-invention, and the "hope" side of it they view as
| revolting!
|
| Now watch the piranhas boil in my WC bowl...
|
| Flying Tadpole
|
| Scout wrote:
|
| "Capt. Mooron" wrote
| It's pathetic you have even one state like that let alone a bible
belt....
| isn't the separation of church & state part of your basic governmental
| basis?
|
| Yes it is. The problem is that line is not always easy for some to see.
The
| roots of that separation clause are based not so much on the concept
that
| god and government are mutually exclusive components of a successful
| society, but on the history of religious persecution that many
| newbie-Americans had endured before coming here. The same world
laughing at
| us, in large part, is responsible for many of our citizens being here.
God
| I love irony.
| Our founding fathers (your Uncles) believed in the importance of
spiritual
| responsibility. And why wouldn't they?; if the ostensible benefit of
| religion is the promotion of moral behavior, a government would have to
be
| suicidal to denounce God. It would be counter-productive on just about
every
| level. But try balancing that with the equally important concept that no
one
| has the right to say who God is, what s/he/it wants of us
(specifically),
| what rules it should impose on society at large, how it should influence
| national issues, spending, etc. etc. etc., and it's no wonder that we,
as a
| nation, appear to be constantly imbalanced and unstable, always ready to
| fall from the high wire. I'm sure it looks funny from the spectator's
| perspective, but that's only because they haven't reached the correct
| conclusions about what will happen if that flailing guy falls. I believe
the
| majority of the world understands our predicament. Though they laugh,
they
| realize that our fall would start a mosh-pit on a global scale. The
laughers
| will run, of course, but **** would be flying everywhere (remember when
they
| blew up that whale on the beach?).
| I don't consider us to be a melting pot as much as I do a high-pressure
| boiler. We are a smaller version of the whole planet, with no oceans
between
| us to keep us from fighting. We have it all, people from just about
every
| culture, religion, ethnicity, tribe, neighborhood, and on and on, with
all
| that that entails, and we are trying to live together in peace and
harmony.
| It's gonna take a while to work out the bugs. I'm optimistic, but I
think it
| will take more than a few hundred years to get it together. If we can't
do
| it, it won't be any prettier for the rest of the world. How about giving
us
| a hand?
| --
| Scout
| "Knowing the storm is coming only makes me more nervous."
|
| --
| Flying Tadpole
|
| -------------------------
| Learn what lies below the waves of cyberspace!
| http://www.internetopera.netfirms.com

What amazes me is that for some reason you believe the USA is the only
"melting pot" on the planet.

Anyone with any ability to observe the world around them can see the USA is no
longer a melting pot. People that come to the USA these days no longer want to
"melt in" They want their own highway signs because they are too lazy to learn
the language. In some US towns close to the border Hispanics who have managed
to get into office have changed the "official" language in the local schools to
Spanish. Tell me that's "melting in"
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
Trains are a winter sport