In a message dated 04/17/2001 6:17:02 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

> Humour is always important. From this side of the pond I can't
>  actually detect all that much difference between the Republican and
>  Democrats, just a different set of multi-national companies get the
>  go ahead to rape a different part of the planet!!
>
"Pillage and Plunder," that's our motto.  Deri, I see good people on both
sides of the fence.  I do wish that the republican party cared more seriously
about environmental issues.

>  (UK's gone the same way post Thatcherism - its hard to detect a
>  difference between Blairite Labour and Caring Tories).

Okay, now I have to look that up so it looks like I was born knowing about
Blairite Labour and Caring Tories when I answer your posts.  I'll tell you
what I do know though, I know that an Englishman invented the kilt.

>  I like to see Darwinism at a more subtle level, in that it is
>  evidence of the success of co-operation, both between an organism and
>  its environment, and within that organisms society. (You can see
>  adaption as a form of cooperation, coopoerating with the
>  environment). All societies start to break down when this ethos of
>  cooperation is replaced by a stronger concern for "self" (or "my
>  family") - capitalism worries me.

I don't know how to answer this because capitalism is all I've ever known.
My parents were strict conservatives in vote, but behaved in socialistic ways
at the community level, at least as I understand socialism.

Now, thinking about what Mike said earlier, I have to wonder whether it was
more of that paternalistic "I'm better so I must help my lessors."  I'm just
not sure right now.  I didn't think about my parents like this before.

>  Perhaps I'm just a tired, confused, old socialist (lapsed nihilist),
>  whose days of trying to convince anyone they're wrong, have long
>  since passed. A Chief Petty Officer (Navy) friend of mine used to say
>  "Never touch a mans' Rum, Bum, Baccy or Politics, and you'll have a
>  happy ship!!!".

My first husband was in the Navy and also turned out to be gay.  That's why
he's not in the Navy anymore, and why we call him my "first" husband.

I know I spouted off my political views Deri.  I usually stay relatively
quiet about that, but this time I just felt like speaking out.  I really do
respect other people's political beliefs -- swear to God!

I'm an athiest -- swear to God!

("Chief" once chopped off a 2 million pound sonar
>  array from the back of his Destroyer with an axe, because the captain
>  screwed up the deployment pattern and fouled the lines which were
>  dragging the stern down.)

Damn!  I hate when that happens!

>  > I guess humor is a serious business after all.
>  >
>  > OR...maybe I'm just going through 'the change,' didja ever think of
>  > that?  I don't care though.  Bring on the mustache...I've got Nads!
>  >
>  > God bless Australia!
>
>  And all who sail in her!!!
>
You know I'm listening Deri.
Betty

I also haven't forgotten about you.  I got an extension to do my and my Mom's
taxes this year, so would it be okay if I picked up again with my work for
you in the beginning of May?  I will finish everything in the first week.  Is
that okay?