OK, a different perspective here, because I think you're off base on several points.

First, this one...."Success is combination of three things: ability, hard work and opportunity. We have no control over our basic ability; we're born with that."

That's false. Individuals can use (among other things) work ethic to develop abilities, to develop skills. Yes, there are schools of thought that the greatest cognitive expansion occurs between ages 2.5 to 5, but ability in general is a very wide area where people can focus if needed.

Second, this little gem...."You started out ahead of the game in at least four ways: you're white, male, straight..."

I always know a person is on the losing end of a debate when this card is played. I'm amazed when liberals think they know every aspect of a person's history based on their skin color and gender and orientation. First, at least three times in my life I know I've been discriminated against (or nearly so) for being the very attributes you just described. Twice during high school I was turned down for part-time, after school jobs by two different hiring bosses who both said openly they only wanted to hire girls - because (their words) teen girls were more responsible. And in 1990 when I worked in WIC, a director strenuously objected to me being part of a USDA food package committee (as the "data guy") because I wasn't white. The director gave in when others came to my defense, but for over a year afterwards that director made it clear that I wasn't welcome.

So you think you want to rephrase that? You seem to be making projections about things you really don't know about. Funny, I seem to recall you certainly got worked up when Rick Hodgins made false projections on you a year ago.

Third, this one...."and no one made fun of me, or, I suspect, you for doing well in school"

Nope, I was bullied for doing well. Here's a news flash - boys are bullied more for doing well in school than girls are. And when I started doing well in sports it got even worse. At one point in my early teens it was so bad that adults had to seriously intervene. It actually took a few calculated maneuvers to scare people for it all to stop. But then in college I ran into a different problem: professors who refused to grade tests/papers because I promoted alternative views. But that's a story for another day.

Fourth, "There are a lot of people who start with a lot less than you or I and some of them never really get a chance to move up, because there are so many obstacles in their way"

Everyone has obstacles. Obstacles are a funny thing. In some cases they make people stronger. And in some instances, people of privilege intervene on behalf of those who formed obstacles against the less fortunate, making it even worse. Obstacles are a funny thing - some people act in ways to support them, without even realizing it.