It is getting worse out there I think.[/QUOTE]
I've given this some thought, and I think the proper statement is that FOR THIS CYCLE of humanity, it
is getting worse, but I have to think that throughout civilization, this up and down degeneration and regeneration of all things civil, including but not limited to, manners, education, just plain respect is just like the tides. For me, born in the fifties in a small western city (really a town), yes, civility is on the ebb tide. But I wonder what it was like in, say, 1850 San Francisco, where you had every manner of education, breeding, way of life, all coming together to chase a Gold Rush. Bet it was worse than any Midwestern mall-based city today - or even a place like inner city Detroit?.
Or take London in the 1400's - 1500's where the difference in all aspects of life between the haves and the have-nots was exponentially greater than it is today? A gentleman or a lady from that era might find our lower middle class enlightened and well-adjusted. As a middle class citizen of 2007, would I be in the same awe of the ways of the London upper class (caste) as the middle class of that era probably were, (even if they were too stubborn to admit it)? I seriously doubt it.
I believe that everyone is conservative to a degree, no matter how they frame their politics, and we all want things to be the way they were during our own personal golden era. Unfortunately, this ain't gonna happen, especially in this enlightened time where the self is more important than the group, and infotainment is passed off as "news"
Just the ramblings of a lunatic. Attach no worth to these words, they are my personal views. They may change tomorrow. I just like the topic, and have for a long time. Thanks for the thread.
PS _ love the picture of Michael Douglas. Loved the first part of that movie. Totally identified with the character. Later in the movie, not so much.
