Interesting post, perception. I am inclined to agree that fear, if rational, is indeed a weapon, and that we are under deliberate attack right now.
For the benefit of those who are fond of quoting that tired old war horse from Edmund Burke that "all that is necessary for evil to prosper is that good men do nothing:" Quite apart from the entirely subjective view of what constitutes "evil" and who the "good men" are, it is useful to keep in mind that Burke was a paid mouth-piece in Parliament. He sat for a "pocket borough," which means that the election there was a matter of who the influential man in that borough wanted. As rotten boroughs go, it was one of the rottenest. Burke was elected to Parliament by a unanimous vote--all three men in that borough voted for him. As for Burke himself, he was one of history's true flannel-mouthed politicians, with a breath-taking ability to take a totally worthless issue and inflate into a crisis of world-shaking proportions. In the particular case of that quote, he was suggesting that a parsimonious Paliament, interested in furthering the commercial interests of their very narrow constituency, should do something about the French Revolution. Let's see, interested in furthering the commerical interests of their very narrow constituency . . . now why does that seem so familiar . . .
Kara, it looked to me as though perception were complimenting your education, though possibly not that of others.
Glad you joined the discussion, by the way
tres, It seems hydrogen fuel cells require coal for its fuel, and coal is a toxin in our atmosphere.
c.i.
Roger
Thank you----you are exactly right.
It's amazing to me that anyone would stoop to destroying a perfectly good quote----the one referenced does not require an author to become an ideal position.
Kara wrote:
"Good Lord, perception, I wish I could believe that our prez could eliminate fear in America! He would have a large job on his hands. He would have to eliminate natural disasters; he would have to eliminate poverty and homelessness; he would have to eliminate every terror that our tribe is prone to: bitter and deadly cold, searing and killing heat, fires and explosions. I'm glad I don't expect that of my president"
It is difficult for me to imagine that you equate the threat of terrorist attack to that of natural disaster. If you insist on this approach then what hope is there of communication on substantive issues----you were joking ???????
Stooping was indeed required as hypocricy generally inhabits the lower reaches of political slime--and there have been few political hypocrits to match Burke. "A perfectly good quote?" Doubtful . . . define evil, and particularly in this case--is Saddam "more evil" than Kim Jong Il, because he is suspected of having weapons of mass destruction, whereas Kim is known to possess them? Is Saddam "more evil" because his rockets can exceed the 90-mile, UN-imposed limit, by a few miles, whereas Kim's rocket arsenal is a hot selling item in the "third world," given their long range and reliable accuracy? Saddam is evil, but not Kim? Saddam has oil, but Kim does not. Then kindly provide a definition of "good men"--Rumsfeld, Cheney, Bush? Pardon me, i have to leave now, i'm going to be ill . . .
Quote:It seems hydrogen fuel cells require coal for its fuel, and coal is a toxin in our atmosphere.
Coal is just one of many sources from which we can harvest hydrogen, if you consult the links I offered you will find that Bush's proposal specifically cites natural gas as the best source and that money will be spent to find ways to get the hydrogen more cheaply than is currently possible.
Oh, and I have never once seen any reference to coal being in our atmosphere. (I would think it would present more of a
missile hazard--likely to fall on someone's head--than any risk as a
toxin.) :wink:
Hmmm----degrees of evil---I don't think so---Saddam was first in line and then Kim tried to breach the line. He shouldn't be in such a hurry to commit suicide----he is next.
Kara wrote:
"Terrorism is only one more thing. And I do not think that Bush is going to war in Iraq to free us from terrorism".
Dear lady---it is just one step on a long road.
Well, I venture back here with trepidation. Your long, well worded post on fear, perception, was appreciated, and understood, by me.
Your earlier insult, was not. This is all difficult enough. Please refrain.
Kara you also said
"Terrorism is only one more thing".
With all due respect I would take issue with your cavalier attitude toward "Terrorism".
The thought of unleashing "smallpox" or similar terrorist acts deserves the serious attention of all of us.
Sumac
I have not insulted you---I am glad you have joined the conversation. Please clarify.
No, you didn't insult me, but I backed up to where I was last and read to the current postings. So I did see, and understand, your attempt to insult someone. Can't remember who at the moment.
Happens all the time, hard to keep up>
Sumac
If I am goaded I will usually respond with appropriate comments---if you read back far enough I believe you will find the evidence.
Thanks for your comment on my post---I like to think that I will attempt to find some common ground with anyone who is willing. Those that are so arrogant and relentless in their position that I must adopt their view or think me encapable of comprehending their simplistic form of thinking should not be offended when they are caught in their own foolishness.
Yes, perception, you are so right: those, who sit in a glasshouse, should never throw stones.
