Flying Tadpole wrote:


Jim Cate wrote:

Thanks Bob. I'll certainly try to do my part in upholding all the great
sailing traditions, beginning thousands of years ago, that have played
such a significant role in spreading civilization and culture throughout
the world.


So, when do you propose to start your career of rape, pillage,
plunder, slavery, piracy, empire-building, dissemination of STDs,
economic disruption and promotion of liberal politics?


Tad,

Think of it this way. - Where would you be, and where would the world
be, had we not benefited from the contributions of early sailing vessels
and the crews who risked their lives to sail on them? Early sailing
vessels spread knowledge, culture, scientific developments, medical
advances, the renaissance, etc., from country to country, greatly
accelerating advances in such fields throughout the world. Granted that
the individuals involved didn't have the highest principles or the most
unselfish motives, without them as a collective force, the world would
still comprise a series of isolated city states, with little interchange
of ideas or culture. - No TV, no air-conditioning, no Barnes and Noble,
no sport cars, no airlines, no Margaritas, no symphony orchestras, no
Rolling Stones, no auto steering or roller reefing, no digital cameras,
etc., etc.

Jim