[Superman]

Yeah? I fart in your general direction, you wiper of other peoples' bottoms.

I had an interesting conversation once with a conservative who, contrary to all my expectations of course, was fairly learned and intelligent. When I expressed my concern for the stresses and difficulties facing typical families (and especially poorer ones), he listed. He listened to my concern about television raising kids because both parents must work. He listened to my concerns about isolation from other members of our community, even those who live right next door. And lots of other pressures that, in my humble view, are helping to unravel the social and familiar fabric of our society.

Then he said "Yeah, but they don't have to worry about the hordes attacking and killing everyone but the women, and they know they're not going to starve."

I thought "Hmmmm. Good point." So, the bar was higher then, in many ways. And most folks will do what gets them by, not more.

My work mate is a retired Longshoreman, and union business agent for that union. His body is broken, but you can't tell. His smile is HUGE, he always has the most positive, charitable things to say about everyone, he raises guide dog puppies, and if you were to give him a teaspoon and take him to the Pacific Ocean with instructions to drain it, do you know what he would do?

He would whistle and get started, and at five, when the clock stops and he's not getting paid any more, you would probably not be able to get the spoon from his hand. I'm not kidding.