--- Dan Minette wrote: <major snippage> >I also get the feeling that many on the > list are extremely > individualistic and think that loyalty to party, > church, civic groups is for chumps.
Mmm, I'd say that _unqustioning_ loyalty to any large group of people is not chumpish, but naive. I can't think of any big group that doesn't have it's fair share of jerks and/or idiots; last time I recall seeing it, wasn't the "bad apple" proportion of any population about 8-10%? I've met doctors I would't let work on a dying dog - let alone another human being, horsepeople who closely resemble a donkey's end, artists who are sadists - etc. etc. I always found the West Point motto "Duty, Honor, Country" compelling; notice that there is no person (such as the President) listed, and that duty and honor come _before_ country. Ideally, it requires one to _think_ before acting -- which doesn't exactly fit in with the 'just follow your orders' mentality, but then 'consistency' isn't an American strong suite either, IMO. I am very loyal to my friends and my principles, but I will not place boundless trust in any organization or group; I have not seen any that merit it. Debbi __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New DSL Internet Access from SBC & Yahoo! http://sbc.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
