Hello Kitten

[kitten]

Can you imagine a country that was governed only by the intelligent?  I suppose a benevolent dictatorship would be a close approximation, but I can't imagine it would stay benevolent even if that was the original intent.

[Gopher]

If I had to choose between an intelligent government and a compassionate government, then I'd vote for the latter any day.

I have the thought that a compassionate governement if far more likely to evolve (in the very distant future) than any government which has even the vaguest pretension to intelligence. At the very least, this is a pleasant delusion.

[kitten]

Doesn't true compassion require intelligence?

[Gopher]

I don't really think it does - not something I've deeply considered, I just have a hunch that the two spring from entirely different sources.

[kitten]

How can compassion exist without the intelligence to understand why it is needed?

[Gopher]

Oh surely there is a thing as natural compassion? I don't believe that the 'higher qualities' can be taught (other than through one's experience of life and inward inspiration).

[kitten]

I see your point.  I had thought of compassion as a mark of intelligence, but I can see that they can be mutually exclusive.  I concede.

[Gopher]

And as you concede, I depart back to work. Not much to do and then I can say cheerio to it until Sunday.

[kitten]

May the final part of the work day go smoothly.

[Gopher]

It did, and needless to say because I have today off yesterday's surprising sunshine and 80 degrees have deteriorated to the decidedly cool (although still humid) and drizzly.

[kitten]

Hope today brings sunshine your way, Gopher.  Do you plan to take Sunday off as well?

[P.C.]

Good morning Kitten.

  Working today ?

[kitten]

Good morning. P.C.  Yes I am, much to my chagrin.  And you?

[P.C.]

Well, I thought I'd just relax today.   [img style="CURSOR: pointer" onclick=url(this.src); src="vny!://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/smilie/verschiedene/c010.gif" border=0]          

[kitten]

Huge round of prolonged applause!!!  SO glad to hear it.