I was reading this article, and towards the end, I was reminded of the question you posed in a recent e-mail (not directly from the above article -- a brain fart, I guess). You questioned - or said that others would question - the foundation on which your statements regarding politics, ethics, etc., could be based. In other words, why should anyone listen to what YOU have to say? And the scene in The Wizard of Oz came to me when the wizard is granting the wishes of the four heroes. The wizard tells the Scarecrow that he already has what it takes to think great thoughts, and that the only thing the other "great thinkers" have that he doesn't, is a testimonial. And so ... By the powers vested in me by the high and holy powers of the universe, I hereby proclaim that Joe Rogerson resides in the Pantheon of Great Thinkers; that the words uttered by Joe Rogerson are worthy of solumn reflection; and that Joe Rogerson's opinions are, by virtue of having been voiced by him, to be considered among men as at least half baked, if not baked. Mark Rogerson January 10, 1999