Funny thing, Fred: I've often found that if I treat people with respect (even though I've seen a darker side of them) at least some of the time, they seem to rise to the occasion. I've ended up forging a respectful, mostly enjoyable friendship with people who it seemed that very few other people liked. I guess it can work both ways.

And contrary to what some people have suggested, thinking that there is some good in most people (not Hitler... give me a break..) doesn't mean that you're naeive, or are going to end up beaten bloody in a dark alley. I see evil in the world, not something as chummy as "bad." Like everyone else, I live in the real world. But, perhaps because I believe in the basic goodness of most people, I may be more atuned to seeing it... and most importantly, to acknowledging it in others and expressing my appreciation.

Most of all I hate being called naieve because I can never figure out how to spell it..

Jerry