Mark Small

The castaways got along fine on Gilligan’s Island. Most “utopian” beliefs have an anarchistic end to their philosophical rainbow. Christianity, in its final days, also has a world without formal government. 13/15

In the meantime we have to deal with dictators, such as Putin, who seek to make people fear the chaos the dictators themselves create - as an excuse to further dictatorial rule. We have to vote down autocrats and would-be dictators. 14/15

Putin is not all bad, he is also far more complex than you think.

I agree he's far more complex than many think. I did not mean to imply otherwise. On that first part, that he's not all bad - he's done some pretty bad things.

His approvals among Russians were once off the hook high....they now plummeting. I think he will be voted out in not too long.

He was able to get those numbers in part from the chaos of the preceding 10 years or so. He consolidated power rather ruthlessly, but many Russians were happy to be rid of chaos.

How you arrive at what you do, Mark...reminds me of how Roe was argued and why it is vulnerable. No sound foundation.

I just returned from dinner. I'm about to go out on the deck & hope to relax a few before (maybe) rain hits. Roe's foundation is sound. Justice Blackmun wanted to address history & rights & he did both. How I arrive at what I do? Might be a different matter.