Art, I'm not talking about capitalism vs. communism. It's been shown very clearly that neither of them work. Seed, I thought I was putting myself in a place to make a difference when I became a teacher, especially when I started working at Juvenile Corrections. But the administrators, large and small, make our job next to impossible. So once the kids are on the gangsta track, the huge majority of them are lost. Barry was right when he said that it begins prenatal. The preponderance of research now shows that personality traits related to character are well established by age 1, 2 at the latest. I guess if we are to do anything as a nation or society, we have to fix the communities first. But for Gods sake lets not let this job be taken up by the social workers. Many of them are fine people and competent, but overall the ones Ive dealt with do almost as much harm as the administrators. Their message seems to be, everything is somebody elses fault, end of story. I am also something of a blues artist. Im thinking of Rev. Gary Davis, who sang Death Dont Have No Mercy In This Land. I think if theres hope it will come from us one at a time, but finding new ways to get the real message out. The children have to be saved early, by whatever means, or they wont be saved at all. I have to admit I was in Quebec recently on a trip with my wife, and I had a strong urge to stay there, both for the general civility of the people and the opportunity for finding a little place where nobody will bother you. There was one village, actually very near the border, called Notre Dame des Bois, that was so beautiful I think Ill go there when I die if not before. I also have to say, seed, that if I helped convince you that the gangstas are not the same as the Robin Hoods, I am grateful for that.

Chet W.