Why do we continually make the same mistakes and never learn from the past - I think Bertrand Russell said it best 'Man's inhumanity towards animals is only surpassed by his inhumanity towards himself’ (I think that's the correct quote?)

Mike, I prefer your quote even though the order would be impossible for most - well done

Yes, Yes, but unfortunately you’re preaching to the choir - the Lebanese were suppressed by outside forces (Iran and Syria) which created the problem and they have paid dearly for this folly - Freedom of its people by its people would have been a wiser way. In Beirut there was a one square kilometer that the Lebanese were not allowed enter. There are countless lessons of this wise quote.

You may laugh but this is closer than you think - presently our freedom is being eroded in name of freedom, and we are doing nothing about it. We talk of fascism as if it's another world without realizing how close we are to the very thing we despise. We have a government that can disregard any legislation simply by writing into the bill that the President has the right make changes to any order.

That sounds very familiar...scary

Excellent! I think the next would be cancer which destroys its host - likewise with despots, theocracies, and imperial and fascist governments.

It's going to happen regardless what we do so why not control it through a legal system that would help those who become adicted - it would cost the nation far less in crime, life, suffering, and MONEY - it's working well in holland.

I don't see the point - Stalin killed 20 million Russians

The media and propaganda machines (aka Politicians) can determine the majority - unless we are cognizant of the agenda and do something about it anything can be made the majority - look at the Lebanon 90% of those polled said they are for the Hezbollah - it's like polling any partisan group there's always 10% who disagree.

Well done Archer...

I would expect no less from a Prohibitionist - and yes, Andy hit the nail on the head.

Bertrand Russell would agree 100 percent and so do I - how about Love all peoples of the world but never its governments

Yes, and unfortunately it's at the top and trickles down.

The law is the law and politicians come and go and the sooner the better. It's amazing a politician can cause unfold misery, death and destruction, and yet we keep quiet and only make a noise when other nations do the same. Politicians have taken us into the middle east on a pack of lies which has caused the death of thousands and yet the media stays quite comfortable in the security of their job.

Man is born into the world at that time and that time depends on the small village where he hopes to scrape a living - the rest is immaterial. Man is born into a world full of anger and shame and to rise above this he must have the help of others. Man is born neither free or in chains he is just born.

Unfortunately bad times only exacerbate the situation - the only way is through education and freedom - our history has shown us that butchery doesn't work - it's time to think out of the Tank. My own opinion would be to make classical literature mandatory in all schools - why reinvent the wheel? It's too late for us "gown-ups" but with our children we may stand a chance, though a slim one, of avoiding total self-destruction within the next fifty years.

Like they do with their faith and finances.

Until we intelligently live by The Constitution and stop having our lives dictated by big business, corrupt politicians, and the church, we will continue on our downward path of self destruction. It’s absolutely amazing that we conem the New York Times for telling the truth while we condone the government when it lies to its people.

Yes, sadly true. Why are we so blind to the atrocities that are happening each day in our own backyard? It reminds me of what Germany went through as Hitler rose to power; everyone just stood by and allowed it to happen. When you allow governments to demonize portions of society, and stand idly by, you are condoning the laws of tyranny that follow. One day the bell shall toll for you, and pray that someone will hear it and come to your rescue.

As Einstein said "the only constant factor in the Universe is change" and that applies to all things - the absolute that exists is in form only. A persons Liberty is only determined by laws that reflect social harmony and that my dear friends is a longway from being availble to all mankind. There are unjust laws and there are just laws - the book of laws will never be absolute.

Yes, Yes, how sad that it has caused so much tragedy - our blind acceptance of authority is a crime and is the cause of our nations current predicament.

I would add intolerance and ignorence - perhaps that falls under custom?

Yes, and we see the results of that today.

When you are dumb and ignorant you are totally dependent on politicians and the church, and that is very dangerous -- the more ignorant we are the easier we are to manipulate. The usual ploy is to go on the offensive against factions when in reality it should be the other way round.

Yes, you are so correct - we should always make formal attacks on ignorence. Reston, where did you get "tiliting at windmills" I love that...