thanks for your kind letter. I send you these articles not only for the information they contain, but also to show you the value of the free press we have here in America. Most of the time, such open dialogue produces the best results. Unfortunately, I cannot agree with Tom Friedman's position on Iraq. The American intervention has produced a holocaust for Iraqis so I'm reduced to the idea that we should get out and let them have their civil war. This wave of senseless terrorism by the Sunnis proves to me that the last thing they want is a democracy because shiite rule is so abhorrent to them. As you may know, there were 600 thousand deaths in the U.S. civil war, one of the great shames in recorded history. But it did bring the union together and we went forward from there. As a matter of fact, more boys were killed in this war than in all our other wars combined. Yes, I'm a great movie fan but I've stopped going because modern movies are so awful. The target audience is uneducated teenagers so I stay at home with my books. However, if you like Stanley Kubric, then you must see "Paths of Glory" easily the best war movie of all time. Kirk Douglas does a brilliant job in this film. I wasn't that impressed with "Eyes Wide Shut" but as in all art, taste is very subjective. If you want to know more about me, I think our e-mail exchange is probably a good barometer. I read voraciously and reflect a great deal also. Though I'm not religious, I try to live by the rule "do unto others as you would have them do unto you". And though I'm not a Christian, I truly accept Christ's words, "let him who is without sin cast the first stone." Does that help? FRED
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