-----Original Message----- From: Eternitytime1@xxxxxxx Sent: Dec 16, 2004 3:39 PM To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: Philip K. Dick In a message dated 12/16/2004 8:54:45 AM Central Standard Time, aamago@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes: I wonder if Bush had the same problem with his encounters with God. Alcohol is a drug. In Bush's case, God let him down. Not picking on Bush, just interesting to see people in similar situations. Hi, I don't understand you saying that "In Bush's case, God let him down." I don't see that has happened at all. Would you elaborate, please? A.A. What do you think of the way Iraq turned out? God told him to go for it, and it looks less than optimal to me, but then, God works in mysterious ways, so who knows, maybe it's going well. Plus the Iraqis aren't Christians, so they don't count. Really, what's God's stand on Iraq today? Marlena: But, then again, he had Billy Graham as his liason with God during his time of need. A.A. Is this good or bad? Marlena: Maybe that was what poor Philip Dick needed---the right liason with God. A.A. Can't beat a direct connection to God, or even indirect as the case may be. Marlena: As to whether or not absolute good and universal beauty are real...they are. Lovers are not just those who are 'in love' with each other (though that may have been who Santayana was talking about...)--they are those who simply care for the Other and look for and find the good. They are those who look at the wonder and gift that each person are and are giving [(even the stupid ones <wry look>) are giving to either The World--or to the little piece of The World which they are responsible for [and for some it is very small, indeed, but that does not negate that *someone* needs to be caring for that little piece...] When you look at the wonder through the eyes of a child, for example, who sees a rabbit on the yard or a deer in a meadow--or even a kitten in a pet shop--you can see the universal beauty and wonder and absolute good in learning and growing and seeing something remarkable. A.A. Ah yes, and then you turn on the news and they show you those dead bodies in Iraq and other places. People tortured to death, etc. Not to mention the natural catastrophies and the rest of it. Maybe God can come down and shut down our media so we don't have to look at it. Andy Amago Marlena in Missouri ------------------------------------------------------------------ To change your Lit-Ideas settings (subscribe/unsub, vacation on/off, digest on/off), visit www.andreas.com/faq-lit-ideas.html ------------------------------------------------------------------ To change your Lit-Ideas settings (subscribe/unsub, vacation on/off, digest on/off), visit www.andreas.com/faq-lit-ideas.html