It's odd, and I realize you mean something somewhat different, but you echo the very slogan on the truck in your comment.
I do believe in people's right to govern themselves, but the problem is that rarely are governments actually controlled by the people. (I fear that we are moving increasingly in that direction ourselves.) And rarely are countries homogenous--so even in "democratic" countries, there is the possibility of great injustices. On one hand, there should be some kind of moral imperative to act to prevent atrocities (Bosnia, Sudan). On the other, such efforts are paternalistic, too often an excuse for self-interested agendas rather than any actual humanitarian concerns (Iraq), and, history shows, they will rarely be successful.
I've been down visiting the family, so I just listened to your vm. (I'm on a bus headed back to NY, and the traffic is HORRIBLE--so it's going to take a long while.) I looked up the book you found, and I think I do remember it from back in the days of yore where no new Arthurian book would have evaded me, although I'd forgotten all about it until your vm stirred some vague recollection. I don't remember reading it, though. Even if it's decent, I'm going to have to avoid it--don't want to contaminate the well. ;)
Hope you had a good weekend! I'm hoping not to be too busy this week, so feel free to call if you have time. I'd try you now, except I hate talking while on the bus--everyone around you can hear, and it incites my rage when others do it.
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I do believe in people's right to govern themselves, but the problem is that rarely are governments actually controlled by the people. (I fear that we are moving increasingly in that direction ourselves.) And rarely are countries homogenous--so even in "democratic" countries, there is the possibility of great injustices. On one hand, there should be some kind of moral imperative to act to prevent atrocities (Bosnia, Sudan). On the other, such efforts are paternalistic, too often an excuse for self-interested agendas rather than any actual humanitarian concerns (Iraq), and, history shows, they will rarely be successful.
I've been down visiting the family, so I just listened to your vm. (I'm on a bus headed back to NY, and the traffic is HORRIBLE--so it's going to take a long while.) I looked up the book you found, and I think I do remember it from back in the days of yore where no new Arthurian book would have evaded me, although I'd forgotten all about it until your vm stirred some vague recollection. I don't remember reading it, though. Even if it's decent, I'm going to have to avoid it--don't want to contaminate the well. ;)
Hope you had a good weekend! I'm hoping not to be too busy this week, so feel free to call if you have time. I'd try you now, except I hate talking while on the bus--everyone around you can hear, and it incites my rage when others do it.