Wasn’t that enlightening, De? The practice of reasoning was more common when personal communications were hand-written and mass media came exclusively from the printing press. There was the opportunity to digest information. Reasoning is a key ingredient in a funtional democratic process —but it’s currently stashed far back in the political cupboard. Some folks who like to cook something up would have that little jar well-hidden behind, say, the lemming peel and thyme.

Your take, Kitty, gave me a good laugh.

My husband and I were absolutely shocked to learn that you had been critically injured. And then more updates would be forethcoming on the evening news we watched so faithfully. What strength you must have drawn on since then. We wish you the very best, Ms. Dozier.

Your point is well taken, joan. I found Al Gore’s book “Assault on Reason” eye-opening on this critical part of a democractic system.

It’s been years since I read “Stranger” and I didn’t care for it, feeling in the minority at that time. Grok? Books or movies steeped in science fact are to my liking as well. An exception to that for me is Herbert George Wells; but he’s the one that inspired me originally.

You are both right on. We need your words to be seen 10 feet tall.

The family ‘dance’ is one of life’s most demanding challenges. Thanks for encouraging him to keep his priorities, joan!

I am more likely to read Sci-fi when the book is recommended, Frank. I will seek out the ‘Trilogy’. Thanks! I have this fantastic iMac monitor so the images from the web site you referenced will get the justice they are due. I cannot recall the site, but there is a website where you are taught to recognize spiral & etc galaxies in still photos. They test you on your recognition competency as a next step. THEN you help them filter the myriad images into galaxy shape groupings that are basically piling up and waiting for expert analysis. Perhaps you’ve participated? On another tangent, what did you think of Heinlien’s “Stranger in a Strange Land”?

I can tell you are going to anyway, am I right? So I will consider your request a warm compliment, joan. Do you have a nickname from prep school or even the playground?

Barack has visions for his future and that of our nation’s people. For his birthday perhaps he hopes that he’ll receive the updated book of Wisdom, a good night’s sleep, the backing of citizens who care about what’s important, and the courage to face yet another day in this arena. But I want to give him the strength to hold tight to his convictions and be the person who can bring his visions forward without (much) compromise. That would make any birthday cake taste a little sweeter!

Hello joan, Nice to meet you! Space - a big topic isn’t it? I sense (a gut thing really) that there is more to Space than physics suggests. Does that come from our instinct to preserve our selves; our species? I hope the source is more than that. Perhaps Space is the cradle and kindergarten of human souls. And other beings’ souls co-mingle there and in the ‘higher grades’. Which brings to mind Carl Sagan’s book “Contact”. Everyone must have faith in his own interpretation in this area. And if it brings one joy, cherish it; particularly when other groups would rather assure them you believe in what is appropriate. What do you think?