Home Who? Why? Stupid Criminal Tricks Essays Contact

Cziltang's Ratlands Why am I doing this? I have some concerns about things that are happening in America and in Kansas. I think some are scary, some are inevitable and some are both. I have gut feelings that some of the things we are doing aren't necessary. But mostly, I'm just trying to get it straight in my head. Some of the positions I've taken on some of this stuff and the arguments I make in support of those positions have suggested to me that some of my other rationales for my opinions probably aren't justified, I often end up opposite sides of the fence on seemingly related issues. And, although I'm trying to get this sorted in my head, I end up linking to a number of articles in other places. Invariably, whenever I'm trying to express an idea, I find someone else has already said it in terms more eloquent than I could manage. And more concisely. What you won't see is the sort of shrill name calling and "in-your-face: I'm right, so you are evil" babbling that currently passes for political discussion. These are serious times, these are serious issues, and they deserve serious, introspective discussion, because we ARE going to have to make some hard choices about how we choose to live in the world. Unfortunately, you probably won't find the serious, introspective discussion here. I'm just not that deep a thinker. What you will notice is that what I think and believe is filled with all sorts of strange contradictions. I have become fascinated in recent months with the contradictions. Some of what you see here is just me trying to trace my beliefs and ideas back to their sources. Well, if you've read this far and aren't a member of my immediate family, I don't know whether I should apologize or congratulate you or just tell you to turn off your computer, get up, and go to bed... Cziltang