RBESRQ, thanks for the suggestion, but I am already aware of the quote's context. Mr. Wholstetter, it would seem, is saying that in the context of the cold war, the U.S. should maintain a level of tension with its enemies to maintain peace, because projecting weakness will precipitate open conflict. Your reference to Martial Arts is apt, though misapplied. In the context of this quote, martial arts gives one the ability to project such strength that physical conflict is un-necessary. If one assumes that this strategy is derived from Sun Tzu's Art of War, you may say that through deceiving your enemy into believing that you cannot be beaten, you will win without having to fight. As to my simile, I only intended to advertise my disdain for the popular usage of the term relaxation.

RBESRQ, As to your use of the snippet from the end of the essay, I'm glad you brought it up. Einstein spends the overwhelming majority of his essay persuading the reader that a socialist economy is both necessary and inevitable, only to disprove his entire arguement by presenting the most gaping holes in his hypothesis, and then casting them aside by saying that he is sure they will be resolved somehow and by someone. Would Einstein's theory of general relativity have withstood much scrutiny if he had presented un-resolved evidence contrary to his theory at the end of his paper?

RBESRQ, How are we to judge a man's thought while ignoring his actions. This arguement seems illogical. As to your advice to Judith, thank you for perfectly illustrating my point. You may notice that I asked her to read Einstein's own words regarding socialism and then to make up her own mind. You suggested that she not listen to me and to trust you based on a tiny snippet of the article I reccomended. How very socialist of you; how very libertarian of me. At least we are consistent.

Thank you, J Calrton and Jim for the Orwell and Twain references; witnessing the practical application of knowledge always brings a smile to my day.

Sounds like an indictment of political correctness, made about 150 years too late. I give only 3 stars because I am ignorant of the context of this quote, making it little more than a statement of the obvious.

As gluttony is to the body, relaxation is to the mind.

The material sum of Einstein's life consists of an inefficient refrigerator that was never brought to market. His new way of thinking would have us all living in mud huts.

RBESRQ, Bertrand Russell has origianted more evil on this planet than any other "great mind" of the 21st century. He advocated for a one-world socialist dictatorship brought about by threats of nuclear annhialation. He originated the idea of inferiority of the african races. He demonstrated his near-idiotic grasp of economics in the drivel-filled "In Praise of Idleness". He spoke out against Marxism and Communism while extolling the basis upon which they are founded. I am beginning to believe that atheism is the only factor that you use to judge another man's mind.

- a powerful statement on the importance of introspection.

Anonymous from Reston, Blending half-truths and illogical arguements into a cohesive lie is not the work of a scientist.

Science has existed as a tool to improve man's labor since before he began farming. Was the stone-tipped spear not a scientific breakthrough? Bertrand Russell speaks in glowing terms of science without use, "pure science". This type of science can only exist through the same confiscatory practices employed by religion and government today. Dr. Robert Stadler, I mean Bertrand Russell, advocates science not as a tool of logic for the betterment of man's labor, but as the next in a long line of scams. Learned men should know better.

To build on Jim's statement, burning alcohol (ethanol) generates more formaldehyde and ozone than gasoline, making it a poor choice as a fuel for urban areas. It also contains far less energy potential per gallon resulting in decreased motor vehicle range. And it is more expensive to produce than petroleum distillates and could not be produced (and still cannot) in great enough quantities to support a modern industrial economy. In short, a free market will decide what fuel is the best if we let it.

Judith, the Iran-Contra affair is a great example of how trying to chose the lesser of two evils always fails, and that liberty cannot be achieved through violent revolution.

I part from some libertarians in my opinion of the CIA. It is just to investigate and identify those who have perpetrated violence against an allied people so that retribution can be dispensed justly. That said, the proper use of the CIA as an investigative body has been at times subverted by those who do not care for liberty. (And yes, I used the terms libertarian and just retribution in the same arguement.)

Judith, ask Mr. Obama. He presumes to tell BP what to do on a daily basis and clearly has no clue what is happening.

The practitioners of "Hope and Change" politics find the future to be as fluid as their own moralities.

Well said Cal

It does not matter what you call the form of the U.S. federal government be it republic, republican democracy, socialist republic, or socialist democracy. The federal government's one true function was to prevent usurpation of our natural liberties by state, local, and foreign govenrments. Unfortunately, the federal government stopped protecting liberty and began the slow slide back into feudalism and tyrrany, operating as a criminal enterprise.

So many fools still pretend that our government protects our liberty while it is slicing our liberty away, bit by bit. Is our government itsself not the greatest fetish to liberty of all?

I have taught myself far more than government ever has.

Waffler, Kindliness or helpfulness are too often used to mask bad intentions. I will do business with an honest man who does not put on airs over a master of civility and larceny any day.

Jim, please, stop being nice to them. If their intent is to take what is yours for the "common good" treat them as you would any petty crook.

Waffler, if you explain to me why kindly and helpful are good I will forgive you the two stars.

Dick, we are serfs and men like Mr. Darrow helped to hasen our grandfathers into that slavery. As for your idea of an afterlife it sounds like a frightening nightmare. I like to think that the afterlife is a place where we will be able able to work without ever having to worring about more than two-thirds of our lives (in labor) being confiscated from us. Also, I like to think I will be able to chose with whom I will be reunited. No wonder liberals fear death so much if they think it entails the type of afterlife you describe. An afterlife without purpose is even worse than a life without prupose.

Anonymous immediatly above, your words appear to have been spoken by one of the villains from an Ayn Rand novel. Making a profit is profitable, both for onesself and for others. Your "good sense" sounds like pure evil to me.