BS: The Future, Assumptions, and Ideals

Subject: RE: BS: The Future, Assumptions, and Ideals
From: Ebbie
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 07:38 PM

Thanks, Amos. Some very good reading there. I'm going back to read the whole speech.

First, a disclaimer: I get confused looks from some libertarian pals, when I say that I'm one of them. Oh sure, I send money to the LP and routinely vote Libertarian in primary elections. I appeared as a keynote speaker at the California LP Convention, in 1998, and here at the national convention in July 2002.

On the other hand, I admit turning around and often voting for Democrats in general elections! I send cash to Greenpeace and the ACLU and support my local public schools. So what the hell am I?

After serious thought, I can only conclude that I must be a . . . (shudder) . . . pragmatist. David Brin

Subject: BS: The Future, Assumptions, and Ideals
From: Amos
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 06:21 PM

David Brin, one of my favorite current sci-fi writers, offers these two quotes:

"Scratch the surface of most cynics and you find a frustrated idealist -- someone who made the mistake of converting his ideals into expectations."
- Peter Senge


"Any comfortable American who is cynical of progress -- or the competent decency of modern civilization -- hasn't pondered how life was for our ancestors. Any day that cossacks haven't burned your home should start out a happy one, overflowing with optimism."
- M.N. Plano

These two, and a lot more good thinking besides, can be found in his lengthy address to Libertarians called Essences, Orcs and Civilization:The Case for a Cheerful Libertarianism which I recommend to the thoughtful among us.

A