[KantianBurke]

Sorry about that, Bill Bennett. He was Reagan's Secretary of Education and Drug Czar. He's written quite a bit in terms of the breakdown of society. Smart fellow and very eloquent.

I tend to disagree with regards to "what one chooses to see." If one lives in a violent neighborhood, one can notice how pretty some of the surrounding houses are. But that still doesn't displace the fact that you're living in gangland.

[MineralMan]

"I tend to disagree with regards to "what one chooses to see." If one lives in a violent neighborhood, one can notice how pretty some of the surrounding houses are. But that still doesn't displace the fact that you're living in gangland."

And the answer to that is to move out of that violent neighborhood and find one that pleases you, isn't it? Same with relationships. If the only women you're meeting in your current surroundings are not suitable, then change your surroundings. Join a church. Attend functions where good people are.

William Bennett may be an intelligent man, but I doubt that his position is that it is impossible to have and hold a good marriage. I read a review of his book on the topic, and it seems to me that he is pointing out the dangers society presents to marriage. I doubt seriously that he is counseling folks not to marry.

You control where you live and who you meet. Change your surroundings and you'll change your perspective, or at least you'll have a chance to change your perspective.

On the other hand, if you expect only to find evil or noxious persons, that is what you will find. I'm reminded of the old story of the person who whined that all the people around him were unfriendly. He moved to a new town, and found the same thing there. No matter how often he moved, he found unfriendly people. Why? Because he was unfriendly himself and expected only to meet unfriendly people.

Seek what you want, and you will find it. Be who you wish to find, and you'll find others like yourself.