Good writing Cat-friends. Thanks for the feedback.

I think one of reasons that I started (by about 20) to be be suspicious of ALL ideologies was the inability of so many people I knew to back up their beliefs with convincing arguements (rarely a problem at Mudcat). Mob-mentality and peer pressure, often often seemed to colour (or completely define) someone's local AND global view. When I read Marx, I felt compelled to try and understand WHO the man was, how consistant his personal everyday behaviour was with his political views, and as much as possible about how his contemporaries perceived him. Same with other prominent humans who've influenced the times. For a couple of examples: The more I learned about Cesar Chavez, the more I admired him...the more I learned about Jesse Jackson, the more I disliked him...and yet, in the most popular definitions..The two of them would be very much on the same side.

I have tremendous admiration for Pete Seeger. Not only for his life-long dedication to getting people to sing, but for his "I may not be able to change the world, but I'm not going to let the world change me" persona.

It's funny how childhood adventure books can shape some of your beliefs as well. From reading the Robin Hood stories, I formed a picture of "Good" King Richard The Lionheart, as a protector of the poor English peasants...deperately trying to get back to England from his imprisonment, so he could depose his evil "arch-conservative nogoodnick" brother King John. OyVay! talk about someone who's virtues didn't stand up to personal scrutiny!

Rick