On Wed, 6 Dec 2000, William T Goodall wrote:
> > So, to me the mock apple pie is not an ironic symbol but a touching one.
> > The problem with using it as an example of the insidious bogusness of the
> > things we're often taught, I think, is that it's a much more powerful
> > symbol in it's sincere mode. It's not as though the mother baking
> > it doesn't love her son and wouldn't make something better if she could.
> > It's not as though the son, if he suspected something were amiss, wouldn't
> > smile anyway and tell his mom it's wonderful because he loves her too and
> > doesn't want her to be disappointed.
>
> As touching as the Flag, Constitution, God and the American Way...
Or the Queen, a House of Lords, "Rule Britannia," and Orangemen marching
through Northern Ireland. Please.
Attack the institutions if you wish, but do it directly. My only point is
that something people cooked 50, 100, or 150 years ago in order to deal
with poverty isn't really a good symbol for the corruption of today's
two-party system. I can see why the analogy it tempting, but it's false.
Marvin Long
Austin, Texas
