...when we finally know we are dying, and all other sentient beings are dying with us, we start to have a burning, almost heartbreaking sense of the fragility and preciousness of each moment and each being, and from this can grow a deep, clear, limitless compassion for all being.” Sogyal Rinpoche

Archer, look, you are I believe a nice chap, though somewhat misguided when it comes to compassion and empathy - I know you are well travelled and these two conditions compassion and empathy are not to be defined lightly even to one's own interpretation and conscience. No, I believe you to be incorrect with regard to your interpretation of empathy "oxymoronic attitude". How is it oxymoronic if I place the happiness of others over my own (not necessarily at every occasion)? I find it very simplistic to say that "my happiness comes first". Fortunately, for the sake of others, St. Francis didn't agree with you - this is just one example of thousands. As Gloria Steinem said "Empathy is the most radical of human emotions" and its bedfellow is compassion. And Homer who said "Yet, taught by time, my heart has learned to glow for other's good, and melt at other's woe." And as for altruism, well, I would say that Christ is a good example and I don't think Christians would agree with you that it was a fatal flaw. Archer, I know you are a kind individual but sometimes your comments come across totally selfish of the welfare of those less fortunate. This "pull themselves up by their boot straps" is what is wrong with the American dream and that is why it must implode - it goes inward instead of going outward.

A true patriot questions authority, its not someone with flags on their car. And, lately, it has been the Christian (OK the fundamentalist one's) who have been doing the reviling.

We have no idea what a patriot is because the word has been totally misused (I think TJ would not write these words today) and as for Christian's, most are not. What is important is the discipline of self, compassion, and empathy towards all sentient beings. The integrity of this state is what fortifies the mind and body, and that of the family and the community.

Anyone can be terrorized including the hardy - just look at what's going on in the most resilient and self reliant of nations.

A self grandiose statement without empathy. We can all play with words but the heart of the meaning is what matters.

Wow! you have just explained the future of America - it's core is rotten. There is only one hope, that we quickly plant another tree before the one we have totally disintegrates and falls into the abyss, then it will be to late.

Trust must also start for without trust there is no beginning. I'm with Reston - the only reason why this health bill stinks is because it was designed for and by the corporate boys - why the hell do you you think health insurance and pharma stocks went up on the passing of the bill - WAKE UP AMERICA. Medicare for all - just cut the war machine expenses by 50% and that will pay for it alone. And we will still spend more on military than any other country.

O yes! O yes!

Love it! Well, obviously, we are all off to find our cave - "Once the integrity of any truth is breached the events that follow go without question."RBE One unethical action, one lie, one misdeed, will compromise your integrity - it is possible to regain your integrity by doing six good things equal or greater than the misdeed. So, get to work...

How about Government, period?

Love it.... Doctor Who, come back out of your Police Box

Plus their bread and circus and %#*% the rest. Apathy abounds under the tent of US greed and ignorance.

I agree with dick

Silly quote

Editor, then why add Hussein?

No salesman is required.... Messer, if only that was true. After a few imbibed tipples I'm inclined to agree with gazer. But, I'll still mark two stars.

Now guys no need to be nasty. Waffler, the NWO is not for the likes of you and me it's for the corporate elite who want to run the world (they practically do already). And, their biggest victory is the fiat economy.

Another NWO speech, and look what it has done...

Editor, why do you stir the pot of racism?

If he was alive today I would debate him but he is not so the subject is mute; for the issue is far too great to discuss on a one day blog.

It's amazing no one dares call the American military machine, which incidentally spends more tax dollars than all the social programs put together and the bailing out of the banks with our tax dollars, SOCIALISM. America, God, we are so ignorant...

Reston, I think perhaps what is a fact is that today we are more like the Fascist Parties of the thirties, which by the way a number of very wealthy Americans bought into, than we are a democracy.

We are defenceless against ourselves because we glory in war, eat other animals, ignorance, and praise the very people who have a gun to our heads.

Unfortunately the citizens are unable to function to do the job they should be doing - so our road must change. This is a good article your thoughts would be interesting: http://www.countercurrents.org/hedges120210.htm