Inherent

The transformation of twelve ordinary people into marathon runners on NOVA this week implies inherent heroism.

Skiing, which takes advantage of harsh weather, otherwise disadvantageous to so many others, implies inherent selfishness.

A Marine in the local rag states, "for me, the physical excitement isn't the attraction - it's the opportunity to make a difference."

How much can a willingness to commit institutional acts of violence also contain the inherent opportunity to make a difference?

In most Friend Bob-exchanges something is left off the table lest this participant become a persistent bore. Our last dance omits that even if it's not intended, the existence of an Anglican break-away implies homophobia, just as the existence of a continuing church, implies the opposite, even if none, or only one, of its members desires full inclusion for g,l,b,t persons.

Shopsin says, "you don't do the right thing because you're a great person, you do the right thing because you don't have any f'ing choice," though Roberto Bolano warns, "virtue, once recognized in a flash, has no shine and makes its home in a dark cave amid cave dwellers, some dangerous indeed."

Along these lines, Bolano raises, "the stamp of ultraconcrete literature, a nonspeculative literature free of ideas, assertions, denials, doubts, free of any intent to serve as a guide, neither pro nor con, just an eye seeking out the tangible elements, not judging them but simply displaying them coldly, archeology of the facsimile, and, by the same token, of the photocopier."

To write any other than a Book of Lists is to affirm Bolano.

When Amer Ghada (Bold & the Brave 22) asks Toba Khedon what transformed him into this creature - this Purge - he responds, "I took philosophy to its ultimate end. To separate the spirit from the selfish desires of the flesh."

In his review of The Future of Liberalism, Thane Rosenbaum contends, Alan Wolfe contends, a "true liberal is pragmatic, sober, skeptical and emotionally detached," while, "both the political right and far left, in contrast, are romantic at heart rushing into military adventures and domestic crusades."

--underscoring a conversation between the Spotsyltuckian and a Yankee, yesterday, as to why the South scored initial victories but could not sustain in the long run.

Wolfe ascribes the Civil War "as an example of these different temperaments: the liberal North was frugal, business-like, impersonal, rational, while the conservative South was impetuous, chivalric, glory-seeking, evangelical, romantic."

It must never be forgotten the rise of the Nazi's was assured by Stalin's actions to suppress moderate German Social Democrats whom he considered the true enemy.

In 1797, George Washington wrote to Rufus King, "having taken my seat in the shade of my vine and fig tree, I shall endeavor to view things in the calm lights of mild philosophy," remembering at this same time, Washington incorporated a radical emancipation of his slaves into his will.

Do we agree with Toba Khedon that the creation of a beautiful life requires the purge of all disruptive elements?

No, redemption arrives instead, inherent, in small waves: the 92-year old self-described 'old boot' who advised the Golden Rule as she awaited in her wheel chair, helpless, past any physical capability to achieve it beyond her transcendence; a 100-year old local farmer riding his tractor one more Spring planting season; the Colonial Beach Drifters achieving state finals attributing their success to the team manager with cerebral palsy.

An editor scoffed the Spotsyltuckian pieces resemble lists of quotes.

Take these pieces, then, or leave them, since it isn't possible to write or create anything which does not carry inflated inherent ego and implied consequences though lists may come as close as possible.