An intersting quote for 2003, particularly after reading Franken's book.

"The transition from democracy to tyranny, Plato says, is most easily
brought about by a popular leader who knows how to exploit the class
antagonism between the rich and the poor within the democratic state,
and who succeeds in building up a bodyguard or a private army of his
own. The people who have hailed him first as the champion of freedom are
soon enslaved; and then they must fight for him, in 'one war after
another which he must stir up... because he must make the people feel
the need of a general'." Karl Popper, The Open Society and Its Enemies,
1943.

--
To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the
uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to:
<http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/bullamanka-pinheads.html>