I agree whole heartedly with Ms. Charen. Two Yes's for “Downton Abbey”. And. Since art in general and good art in particular are simply wonderful I predict that if you liked “Gone With The Wind” you'll love Downton Abbey because both are works of art. (PS. If you loved “Gone With the Wind” then you’d better strap yourself in when you watch Downton.)

Ms Brown, Based on your religious take in this article I think the Graham Green quote was taken further by your personal epistemology (what some call, psychoepistemology = the way, the manner, the method one personally uses to validate ones knowledge) then Mr. Green intended. That is, for you (and many many many religious minds) the quote is: "There is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets faith in and then closes and locks reason out." g PS The modified quote shows why having an open mind is dangerous but having an active mind is good. PPS I could be wrong of course, it is possible that Mr. Green wanted you to adopt the modified quote and hence gave your mind the bait which it did take: hook, line and sinker.

Gary continued more: The conclusion seems inescapable: misery is a choice.

Gary continued: Human nature is human nature no one can escape this fact, they can only discover what the facts of human nature are. Young people can think moral codes are relative but that does not make them so, it only makes the particular young person who thinks it so in trouble—morally. The morally troubled not only are not happy but they can’t be happy. If you want to be happy MAKE your moral code MATCH the reality of what you are as a human being which is a living organism with a human nature. Young people have been f’g with human nature since time immemorial but what they all learn EVENTUALLY is, you can’t f … with human nature and get away with it — that is, and ALSO be happy. Therefore, the conclusion seems inescapable: misery is

Morality is the rules in my head that have two characteristics: 1. they are the rules I follow when I decide to take actions that affect the course of my life and happiness and 2. I put them there either consciously by volitional choice or subconsciously by osmotic absorption from the rules saturating the culture I grew up in. These rules for better or for worse are mine and they are mine to live by and if they are objective – that is, if they MATCH the reality of what I am as a human being – then I will live a happy life. If they mismatch reality then I will have a miserable life. The same is true of every human being alive today and tomorrow as well as all who lived yesterday. Human nature is human nature no one can escape this fact, they

I like the piece and am thankful for the reminder to think—and especially so when bombarded with sound bites, e.g. crony capitalism. I still do, however, have a question: Didn’t the American Military and the Allies of WW II destroy Nazi Germany?

Dunno, maybe ... from 2003: It is interesting to observe religious minds at work. They respect the law of identity (Aristotle’s A is A or Ayn Rand’s contradictions do not exist) when it suits their purposes to do so, but they deny it when it doesn’t. Case in point is the current battle between creationists or intelligent design advocates (as they are currently redefining themselves) and the evolutionists. continued here: http://www.gdeering.com\GarysVenns\text\defautl_BiOsNL0907Dunno1.htm

RB, in psychology there is a concept known as projection, I think you should look into it and see if it doesn’t apply to you – or as Pee Wee Herman would say, ‘ ‘ ... that’s what you are, what am I.’’ PS it's a-theist not atheist.

Who cares about Senator Franken, it’s your (our) philosophical premises that matter. (If you want an explanation as to how the whimpy Al Franken got to become Senator Franken see my open letter to Senator Norm Coleman – who single handedly elected Al - at www.degageblog.com). Anyway I have way way too much xmas shopping and other family things to get done and very little time to do them so I can’t engage in this conversation now. Thanks everyone for your very thoughtful and even helpful response to my “take” on the subject. I truly appreciate them – especially (jimmylynn) the history lessons/opionions. PS HappyStretchedThin you are telling me that my cathecism minister lied to me when i asked him the question about the eye of the...

jfk people - I'm an a-theist but know my Bible better than most "Christians" The "needle" was the name of the hole in the wall that camels had to kneel down to so that they could get through it and into the walled city - it was a difficult task to get them to do it but NOT impossible. Is there more to say on this subject? Not.