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Thursday, September 01, 2005
Measures Of Social Stature
Michael Williams makes a pithy observation:
There's almost no better measure of a society's freedom and liberty than how it treats its women.
True, but it can be broadened usefully: The measure of a society's stature as a civilization is how its members behave toward those weaker than they.
Consider how "lesser breeds without the law" (Kipling) treat their weaker members. Women are actually near the top of that heap, though the status does them little good. By contrast, America has laws -- admittedly, silly and unConstitutional ones -- that mandate provisions for the handicapped in our workplaces and public gathering spots. More, and more critically, private persons in the main make accommodations for the less fortunate on their own initiative.
One of the questions that's occupied your Curmudgeon these past two days was whether Americans would rally to the aid of the devastated Gulf Coast as we did to the areas ravaged by the Christmas Tsunami. It struck him that there was a real chance that we'd say, "Let Washington take care of it. That's what we pay our taxes for." Happily, that attitude has not materialized -- or if it has, it's too bashful to show itself.
Which is a big part of why your Curmudgeon loves his country.
Comments
Thanks for the link! As for rebuilding New Orleans, I think the city should be abandoned.
Posted by Michael Williams on 09/01/2005 at 05:52 PMMichael, I agree that they should rethink the rebuilding thing. What with Mardis Gras, I’d hate to see a problem when all those drunkards are around.
I also thank you for the link.
Posted by Sam on 09/01/2005 at 07:46 PM
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