In his later years and after much reflection MacArthur also said about war, "If you lose you are annihilated. If you win, you stand only to lose. No longer does it possess the chance of the winner of a duel---it contains rather the germs of double suicide."

Ah, if only all people didn't want war. But war is exactly what people like Cheney and corporate crooks across the globe want. And they know just as Goehring knew, the way to war is to wave a flag, build fear and cry patriotism.

A good reason for everyone to read the Nation magazine. It is still as reasonable and important as it was when Norton was editor.

Very few quotations are irreducibly true and this is a good example. True in almost every case but some crimes should not be forgiven for to do so may prove encouraging or allowing repeated offenses. Think King George and the Constitution, for example. Or "pugnacious" Rumsfeld and torture. Or wholesale corruption and Cheney.

Another truth from Ingersoll. The sense of words are not responsible for the source.

This quote is 'such stuff as dreams are made of.' We may try to promote virtue but when ignorance so far outnumbers us we shall suffer and suffer like hell for too little choice is left us. Logan says that "science is all that can be proven." How can he belittle that when absolutely nothing can be proven by religion Even he holiest of the religious admit their only resort is faith. Faith--not reason, not proof.

Right again. This quotation stands complete and true.

Reston is right. Life can be hell from the beginning in millions of cases.

Three of the things necessary to the integrity and wellbeing of humankind are: discard the crutches of religion depend on one's own reasoning exercise tolerance and kindness

Do your duty but never waste faith in ghosts.

A pitiful syntax of mundane opinion made as obfuscatory as possible.

If instead of the words "supporting itself," one could substitute "satisfying its insatiable greed" it would be a good description of the history of U.S. governments for the most part, and especially the present one.

Thank you again, Reston, for reason in a slough of obduracy. I much appreciate your comments.

David, I appreciate your reasonable and courteous reply. I would argue that the state has failed in matters of war, of equal justice, of common welfare, and many other areas. But that doesn't mean that it is incapable of merit of any kind. Our Constitution (state) has at least kept us better protected than having no government. Do you not believe that the regulation of driving has made the public safer? If that is so, why wouldn't a regulation of parenting be beneficial. My feeling is that consideration for the welfare of children should be given a high priority. And religion has nothing to do with it, except that if one is Christian I can hardly see how that concern could be denied, for it is a moral and humanitarian issue.

Thanks, Reston, for being one of the few sane voices on this blog.

A perceptive insight. I wonder if Reisman might have added in another sentence that humans also surrender a little freedom purposely in respect and appreciation of others' needs.

I would give five-plus stars to A from Reston for his statement is not only true but truly humanitarian. I give five stars to Will Durant, one of the, if not the, finest of historians, because what he says is also true. Durant isn't talking about equity, he's simply stating how humankind thinks and acts. If one is interested in Mr. Durant, and his co-writer, Ariel Durant, you can find these words as well as much great thought in his small book "The Lessons of History."

I go along with Reston.

In today's reactionary climate, Mike, liberals ARE non-conformists. And never forget progress is almost always made by non-conformists.

Including abortion and suicide.

I don't think Twain actually made such a remark.

How complete and brilliant a statement of religion and science.

Mike, can you give one instance to validate your claim that Christianity is being attacked in schools. How can you believe something with absolutely no proof?

Socialism is not the most efficient economic system in the world but it is the most humanitarian. Its role, though minor, in our capitalist system has been absolutely necessary for the success this country has realized. Many who abhor it don't realize they profit from it. How many would favor eliminating Social Security, the 40-hour week, child labor laws, public libraries, etc.,etc.? Christians should realize more than anyone else that their Christ could only be described as Socialist in his actions and thought. Does anyone think he would favor capitalism?

Another thought: One of the best ways to read the Bible is Bishop Spong's "Sins of the Scripture." Never learned so much as in this book.