I like thsi thread, but it's kind of frustrating not to be able to respond to some really great points. However, I appreciate its strength in that you can feel free to say something, for a change, without somebody debating the point. May this thread live on!
I'm experimenting, and as it could be said one's random musings is one's blog, I'm going to copy my random musings (from the thread of that name, I mean), here. I may or may not post sociopolitical correspondences I have with a friend that we've considered doing.