Re: A Hero for Our Times

Stan (the Man) wrote:

> Let's try this...I'm up for a big promotion. My boss is big on charity 
> and I know that an act of charity on my part will sit well with him. I 
> find a homeless man and give him $100. Now, I may or may not gaf about 
> this homeless guy beyond using him as a means to gain my promotion. Does 
> that possibility make that $100 any less valuable to that homeless guy? 
> Will it buy him any less food?
>
> You're up for the same promotion, but were not in the position to give 
> the homeless guy $100. I, in effect, ran a perfect buttonhook around 
> your flank. You got snookered. So, you wave your arms frantically and 
> try to make it look like my act of kindness was not, in fact, an act of 
> kindness because my motives were suspect. You, therefore, look like a 
> very amusing dick.

That "act of kindness" was anything but. It was a profoundly selfish 
act that, as a byproduct did something positive for someone else. 
Talking about buttonhooks and flanks makes it a tactic and not much 
else. What it *looks* like and what it is are different things.

We all do them. But we should call them what they are.

Bush's trip was a good photo op, a good morale booster, a good PR 
gesture for the home folks. What else it may be requires mind reading.

Pastorio