… and one must read the Presocratics in order to understand Plato. 
If only the arguers had read any such thing!
I tried reading some of Marx once, then decided life was too short to bother. I’ve heard explanations of Hegel’s dialectic, including babble about how God needs the dialectic to become aware of himself, with the State being the ultimate something or other . . . I intuited Hegel was an educated lunatic and life was way too short to bother. If I live long enough, I’ll actually delve more into Plato and Aristotle.
Obligatory related Python:
Well, compared to all you’s guys I’m certainly no scholar…but if Sesame Street taught me ANYTHING in the 70’s…it was that Oscar the Grouch and Diogenes were right about more than a few things…
This version of society is too far gone, probably not worth the effort…no honest men left. Best thing to do at this point is circle the wagons and tell this world to GET LOST!
Happy Thanksgiving everybody!
Edit: and Sling 'Em, please!
I’ll drink to that video!!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Good one, Mark!!! 
Happy Thanksgiving everyone & remember who designated this as a Holiday!! 
Cartoon Cats…
“Let Us Give Thanks That We’re NOT Turkey’s”
As a vegan, I can relate to that photo, and you can imagine that our (earlier) Thanksgiving table had a pumpkin and prayer for the turkeys! Reminds me of sentiments in Shel Silvertein’s beautifully poignant poem, Point of View.
I read Dr. (PhD) Karen Davis’ book, “More than a Meal”, which got me pondering the ancient roots of the annual sacrificial turkey ritual. (The late Dr. Karen Davis had a soft spot for birds, and was a tireless advocate for them, and dedicated her life to offering a sanctuary for rescued birds. She was a remarkable lady, and I have loved reading many of her essays, which have left an impact in my heart, and also a hope of the evolution of a gentler humanity.)
One aspect of the Thanksgiving holiday that we do find important is this: feel profound gratitude for everything that allows us to lead a life where we can have space for reading and contemplation, which are those things that have come about by the very entities that we don’t quite trust anymore. We live in a colder climate, and boy are we grateful to whoever it was who organized our electrical and plumbing systems, our sanitation systems, our household water, refrigeration, and market systems where we access all kinds of nourishing foods from local farmers (and also imported foods). To contemplate all of that is absolutely and utterly mind-boggling – and to send heartfelt silent thanks to whoever it was who designed such systems. And, our local telephone, books, books, books, and more books (an entire industry around printing, publishing, and distributing books!), and, yes indeed, also the internet, despite its shady side. Without the internet, we would not have found out about Dr. Farrell’s books or this forum, where we have enjoyed diverse thinking and rich intellect.
And we are very thankful for friendship, one of the most profound experiences in one’s life.
We have a heartfelt gratitude for all of that!