Adam Smith

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Wherever there is great property there is great inequality. For one very rich man there must be at least five hundred poor, and the affluence of the few supposes the indigence of the many. The affluence of the rich excites the indignation of the poor, who are often both driven by want, and prompted by envy, to invade his possessions. It is only under the shelter of the civil magistrate that the owner of that valuable property, which is acquired by the labour of many years, or perhaps of many successive generations, can sleep a single night in security. . . .

Civil government supposes a certain subordination. But as the necessity of civil government gradually grows up with the acquisition of valuable property, so the principal causes which naturally introduce subordination gradually grow up with the growth of that valuable property. . . .

Civil government, so far as it is instituted for the security of property, is in reality instituted for the defence of the rich against the poor, or of those who have some property against those who have none at all.

-- Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations

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Baudelaire

Charles-Pierre Baudelaire (1821-1867) The cenotaph of Charles-Pierre Baudelaire by Jose de Charmoy depicts the poet brooding over a gauze-encased body. In the year before his death, Baudelaire, resting in a nursing home and left all but mute from advanced syphilis, nevertheless enjoyed some respite from his deepening depression. He took special pleasure in his many visitors, in Berthe Morisot’s playing Wagner on the piano, and in the numerous flowers which grew in the yard outside the home. His condition also allowed his mother, Caroline, one last chance to play a maternal role and thereby attempt a long overdue reconciliation. According to his mother, Baudelaire died with a smile on his lips.

-- The Paris Review

1776

“If there be an object truly ridiculous in nature, it is an American patriot, signing resolutions of independence with the one hand and with the other brandishing a whip over his affrighted slaves.”

-- Thomas Day, English radical, 1776

[Source: Ron Chernow, “Alexander Hamilton”]

Jockey Boxers

That was a much needed shower. And with Pop away for the weekend at Kay's, I think these Jockey boxers should be shorts enough for me to wear around the house.

"We keep sinking lower and lower, don't we?"

Well, it's not like we have a date for dinner and the theater. We may as well go for comfort.

"Maybe 'civilized' would not be a bad standard to shoot for, in an aspirational spirit."

We're on the Internet, aren't we?, watching satellite TV. Does it get a lot more civilized than this? On our budget?

"I was thinking more in moral terms: character and style and integrity."

I will have to leave that for the philosophers to mull over. I'm going for comfort.

72. Yokota Days

Feeling a little irritated over my empty inbox on the computer screen, I start remembering those Yokota school days and the custom of pumpkin grams. Maybe there was a program for Christmas and Valentine cards as well, but I cannot remember. I was not topping the popularity charts. I never did get one of those. I remember talking about it with Steve and some of the guys, and they reached the conclusion that in order to get some cards, you need to send some out. I don’t know if that ever worked for them. I cannot even recall if I worked up my bravery to send one, not trusting my powers to kick off any joyful reciprocity, stilled by the fear of broadcasting before the whole school to someone, “I really do like you,” and then only getting in return that cold silence that says too loudly, “But I don’t like you.”

Rainy

The rain was supposed to be fading away. Instead, it actually grew steadier today. It was still a rather light rain, but steady and persistent. And now they are saying it may not be fading so much over the weekend.

By the time I get to let the cats out, it will be time for another round of mowing. Fricking fruck!

Daily Fun

Lincoln Park Zoo Lion by Prescott Carlson

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