And what is it in relation to?

Waffler said: "Hey Lou some times in life just as in cooking we have to correct mistakes by adding this or that. Often we have to pick up the pieces and continue and do not have the option to start completely new." ----- What in the world does THAT mean?

As to the original quote, it's such a no-brainer that it's meaningless. If something is not the right thing to do, to do it more efficiently does not make it right. The REAL issue here is DETERMINING WHAT IS RIGHT. For example, if we should not have attacked Iraq, would having a "successful" "surge" justify the initial wrong act?

WOW! You guys are really SERIOUS! I like a lot of what E. Archer had to say -- and Waffler had some good points, too -- but some of the stuff here makes no sense at all. For my part, abstraction is not my bag -- and platitudes count far less than the EFFECTS of actions. Almost all ideologies are crutches for people who either don't want to think or are incapable of complex thought. Government is never accountable when it is not transparent; why do you think people hide stuff in the first place -- to provide openness and input? I plan to begin a series on the lack of openness and accountability in govt. at the LOCAL level. Any ideas? E-mail me @ jesterfuul@aol.com