NO worries, Sean. I didn't think it was your intent. It's just your post was followed by a few others... and tone started to sound like "please tell us of this alien mindset" and I realized that I didn't have the bandwidth to play devil's advocate on this one.

A friend went to a party with 'prominent Republicans' after being invited by a high profile author.

She was giddy with the opportunity, which I totally understand. But when I asked her what she might say to Carl Rove, she went blank.

To be fair, I'm not sure what I would say either. But I don't think I could not say something...however civil I might try to be in honor the the host and assembled innocent bystanders.

I don't fantasize that morality is one size fits all, or that mine is superior, but seriously...What DO you say to the anti-christ?

I realized that I didn't have the bandwidth to play devil's advocate on this one.

Now that's a mindset I can easily understand these days.

I think for many people, you do what is right for your own sense of self-worth. bonny, for the jerk in high school, it might have been that the teachers were pressured to pass him on for a variety of reasons.

And Joe's point about wanting to train people who might lead his own daughter is a good one. Acting as though your own loved ones would be directly affected is a good attitude.

On the bright side, a friend's nephew is a career Marine, and she once told me about how he was worried about being able to bring his men home safely, and what he could do to keep them as safe as possible in Iraq. He was less worried about his own safety than his men's.

What DO you say to the anti-christ?

Well... whatever you say, try to avoid hyperbole.

He was less worried about his own safety than his men's.

There is a tremendous nobility in that. I wonder, have we ever had that in 'normal' society, or is it only born in military or 'noble' stratas of life? By noble, I mean both the actual 'high borns' of olde who were obliged by birth to look after others, and helping professions.

Well... whatever you say, try to avoid hyperbole.

Good one.

I just found the required book, etc. list for my Jane Austen class for the fall. I CANNOT WAIT!!!

Todd, you are absolutely right. There was terrible pressure, from what I understand, to pass that guy. But that seems even worse. His habits weren't secret, yet none of the teachers were willing to declare the emperor bare.

In a way their lack of integrity...and active discounting of my own (Don't cause trouble!)...was way more disillusioning than his.

Well... whatever you say, try to avoid hyperbole.

Good one.

I mean, I'm no fan of the guy in any way, and I'm not sure I'd be able to say anything at all to him, were I given the chance. But we do ourselves no favors to fall prey to sloppy thinking, just because it's easier. That's exactly what we're talking about.

It's kinda like the Force....