crusade against ignorance

In 1786, Jefferson wrote to a colleague about public education: "No other sure foundation can be devised for the preservation of freedom, and happiness…. Preach, my dear Sir, a crusade against ignorance; establish and improve the law for educating the common people. Let our countrymen know that the people alone can protect us against [the evils of "kings, nobles and priests"], and that the tax which will be paid for this purpose is not more than the thousandth part of what will be paid to kings, priests and nobles who will rise up among us if we leave the people in ignorance." HCR

Words matter

In low moments, I sincerely doubt that anyone ever changes their mind, and I especially doubt that anyone ever changes their mind in response to an op-ed. But our planet, our home, is in mortal danger, and words are all I've got. So I'm taking my very best shot here.

Margaret Renkl

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/04/opinion/trump-harris-election-climate.html?unlocked_article_code=1.XU4.g3Yl.LHkfOgVHkiRB&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

Admirable sense sans transcendence

"My principal motive is the belief that we can still make admirable sense of our lives even if we cease to have 'an ambition of transcendence.'"
— Richard Rorty, Objectivity, Relativism, and Truth