Ken --


>>I hope you have success in the avenues you find and choose to give of your time, talent and resources to those who are in need.

> I addressed a somewhat similar response earlier - in private - to someone. The tone of his - and your - letter is that "people who don't support government charity don't support charity at all and are stingy at heart". I don't have time to repeat my letter - let me simply say that I am quite sure that the level of my charitable giving would surprise you.

I'm sorry if you interpreted my last sentence as having attitude. I was not trying to be sarcastic. I have been deeply involved in charitable giving of money, time and talent to various causes and continue to do so. If you believe strongly about personal giving, then I sincerely wish you the best in that.

The point of my letter was simply to state what my opinion and position is -- that individual efforts usually cannot successfully address systemic issues. I hope that I present that in a fashion that respects your opinion and takes that seriously. I hope that you can read a statement like that and understand how some people can hold that reasonably without taking it as being personally directed towards you.

I think we both believe that its important to be involved in our communities. That's the important point.

Thanks for the dialog.

Jay