An EMail from Solomon
I recently received an email from my old friend, Solomon, who
travels extensively. He tells me that this message was written on his
iPad from the reading room of the NY Public Library. It is quite lengthy
and I thought to share its final paragraphs with readers online:
From: Solomon xxxxxx
To: Stewart Ogilby
Date: Tues, 6 Dec 2011 10:45:38 -0500
Subject: Touching base
. . . and you say that you want to "abolish the Fed". You are correct
in pointing out that it was an imperfect creation. Human civilization, in
its progression from life similar to that of today's Great Apes, has yet
to create any perfect institution, i.e., one responsive to the interests
of all persons.
Please take time to research what life was like for the majority of US
residents at the turn of the twentieth century. Then compare it to that
experienced three generations later. Damn us, if you will, as you revel in
your beloved autos, sporting spectaculars, TV obsessions, celebrity
fascinations, little digital toys, designer costumes, parades, leisure, coffee-shops,
warm homes, and childish complaints.
Your world is fast becoming unsustainable environmentally, financially,
ecologically, and ethically. Mankind has demonstrated that it is not yet mature
enough to responsibly handle true individual freedom, Mr. Jefferson's
idealism notwithstanding.
Your political aims do not stem from having become tired of the good life.
They stem from serious problems created by the unsustainability of a remarkably
useful but ultimately flawed system, and your own ignorance.
In an earlier age we devised a religion which we skillfully presented to something
that you and your colleagues smugly call "western civilization". It served to
even further separate mankind from its primitive past. However, the beast within
man, obliged to repress its primitive nature by ethical demands of organized religion,
may never forgive us for that invention. Today's science, the magnificient expression
of man's developing cerebral cortex, is driving the final nails into the coffin of
metaphysical religions worldwide.
Among other items lacked by the Great Apes is the invention and management of
currency, the means of civilization and the catalyst for inventive human interaction.
In today's world, financial systems, together with religions, require reconstruction.
Where is it written that anything is forever? Only G_d is eternal. Homo sapiens
must be more flexible.
Believe me when I tell you that we are struggling with these matters ourselves.
Please, try to be patient. Shalom.
Your old friend,
Sol |
I met this interesting guy in 1957 when dining alone in Greenwich Village's El Charo Mexican
Restaurant in New York City. We have kept in touch with one another for many years. It
is good to hear from him from time to time. We have a few areas of disagreement. I value
his friendship immensely and wish him well. |
