Once had this conversation with Joni Mitchell. [Trying to talk her into writing another epochal anthem for the masses.] She professed that Tibetan Monks and other advanced, indigenous spiritual masters are the only credible ‘they.’

By Emcye Edwards on 12/17/2008 1:48 am Nice post, thank you. I think the “they’s” are all the ones who do the most awful stuff, not the other way around. So I have to disagree with Joni Mitchell, though I hate to. The “theys” at least in todays world, are definitely the corrupted, power-hungry, evil ones who have damaged this country and the world as a whole. I am just too naiive and believe that this country should really stand for something good and decent. I am just sickened by what “THEY” have done to MY country!

As a teacher, I was always conscious of telling my students, ‘Too many pronouns; I don’t know who you’re talking about’. Then I realized we as adults fell into the same ambiguity, which really is the core of lack of accountability. When my daughter was about 4, she would always say to me, ‘How do you know that?’ Although she was emphatic in seeking an answer, she was not being disrespectful. She really did want to know the source of my information. We might be well served by maintaining that no nonsense search for substance. My biggest disillusionment: that individuals did not pass into a world of responsibility, knowledge and ethical purity while leaving pettiness, boorishness and ignorance behind when they became 21, And ‘The Depression can never happen again.’ Peace and grace

My biggest disillusionment was the end of my first marriage.

They don’t make disillusionment like they used to.

At least I didn’t invest in Madoff - so I guess that’s one disillusionment I don’t have to worry about!

My mother used to say, “They say—-They are wearing” etc. My answer was always, “Let them worry about what I say and I am wearing.” I have not had too many disillusionments that way. Disappointments-many- but not disullusionments. dslk

One of the funniest pieces of satire I have EVER seen I saw when I was 10 years old. The Smothers Brothers did a piece making the point that there is no THEY. While it was very funny, it also taught me, at that age, that there is no they. It was neat to be reminded of that after all these years, because I realize now that it was a pivot point in my thinking.