On Mon, 18 Jun 2001, Dean Forster wrote:
> Ah, well it would seem i'm being defensive and that's
> clouding my perceptions. Another time, perhaps. I'm
> fairly sure that I would write something to rival 'the
> shining city on the hill' for its inflammatory-ness.
> =)
I think that America has tried to be a shining city on the hill from time
to time; and I think that for many people, especially successful
immigrants, America has been exactly that--at least by comparison to their
points of origin. Alas, the Camelot metaphor requires a leadership of
unimpeachable Arthurian virtue and wisdom (and a populace of meek
Christian humility), something we haven't had (except perhaps for George
Washington himself) and will never have (IMO). Also IMO, if we insist on
such a self-image, I think we lose the opportunity to do the best we can
as humble citizens of the world and as neighbors to each other.
(Another problem with Camelot metaphors is that while on the one hand they
imply impossible standards of virtue, on the other hand they imply that we
have the lordly right to tell everybody else what to do--Arthurian knights
being lords, after all.)
> For the record, I try and not be on a side, but come
> up with my own views based on logic and (this sounds
> weird even to me) that which looks to be the best bet
> for the long term survival of humanity- America too if
> that's feasible.
Sounds like a reasonable starting place, anyway.
> Whoohoo! A little revolution from time to time..
Yeah. I keep thinking to myself, what if Tim McVeigh had had the common
sense to bomb a top lobbying firm in DC...? [*]
> Marvin, I thoroughly enjoy our mental fencing
> sessions. I'd be hard pressed to recall any better.
Aw, shucks. :-)
Marvin Long
Austin, Texas
[*] That's a joke, y'all.
