Ajit writes: >Since all the claims to "truth" are arbitrary, < Ajit, why should anyone believe this sweeping statement? that is, why is it true? (Since it is a premise for the rest of the comment, its falsity undermines the rest.) If it's not true, I wonder why you found it worthwhile to state this non-fact. Does it serve your self-interest? does it fit with your cultural, ethnic, and/or gender-based biases? does it reflect subconscious neuroses? is it simply hot air? in pen-l solidarity, Jim Devine [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://clawww.lmu.edu/1997F/ECON/jdevine.html Econ. Dept., Loyola Marymount Univ. 7900 Loyola Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045-8410 USA 310/338-2948 (daytime, during workweek); FAX: 310/338-1950 "It takes a busload of faith to get by." -- Lou Reed.