Kris,

>>Well, perhaps I haven't been as clear as I should have been. I have no desire to 'go back' to many of the attitudes of yore whatsoever. I would like to 'go back' to where God isn't excluded from public life for example. I'd like to 'go back' to where there was a greater understanding of the principles that bring a more civil society - you know, being able to keep your home unlocked if you choose. Where neighbors and familes took better care of each other.
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>That's a myth, Doug. It wasn't like that, and in those few places where people felt they could leave their doors unlocked, there were even more people that knew it wasn't possible. You seem to have a romance novel view of our history, where "everybody" lived in plush Victorian houses, mommies stayed home and took care of the kiddies, and people were polite to each other. That history is a fairy tale.

Hmm.. Well I lived that myth then. maybe that's my problem. <g>

Seriously, we never locked our doors when we were growing up. Tustin California in the late 50's. Well, maybe at night or on a trip..

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>The reality is that not only did mommies work just to have food on the table, but a lot of the kiddies worked too. A majority of the population didn't finish school, and literacy was a dream. I don't want to go around and around about this, though. You can dream of a past that never existed if you like; I'm working on the future -- hoping that past never returns.

My mother was a school teacher. She and dad built a house just a little beyond their financial limits and when mom dies we had to 'downsize.'

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>>Hey, are you planning on going to the next DevCon in San Diego?
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>I live here, so of course I'm planning on it. <g> The only thing that would keep me away is a lack of funds, and surely I hope that isn't an issue. Maybe you can pop on over and see the new home site. I hope the construction will be well underway by then.

I'd love to! Karol and I are building a new home here as well. As soon as I can I'll scan some pictures and send them to you. (New baby syndrome here.. <g>)

It's a 'beaut!

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>>We sure do take ourselves too seriously at times, don't we? <g>
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>I don't want to be too serious either. You and I agree on more than you think... but not on what the past was like, and not on the idea of inserting religion into government. I don't take the conservative view that going backward will "return" us to some idyllic past where everybody was happy. I take the progressive view that going forward will construct a world where people may finally feel safe and have enough to eat.

Shhh!! Don't want folks figuring this out too soon, do we? <g> It's too much fun to see then 'lose it' first. <g>

BTW.. When are you going to get it through your thick skull that I don't want religion in government. <g> I want government out of religion. *BG* Geeze.. You'd think that after some 3 years you'd get it. <g> I suppose you're saying the same about me. *rof'l*


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>I believe in the second law of thermodynamics, and therefore believe that if we want good things to happen it takes concerted, continuous effort. We can't just relax into the past and expect good to come of it.
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>Forward Ho!

Best,

DD