Just read about Jerry Sears. Was looking for the inspirational angle. That boy died hard. I miss him now and I never knew him. Perhaps like Arthur of olden times...
Jun 19, 2022Liked by Richard Cheverton, Pamela Fitzsimmons
Idealism starts with a rhetorical question. Say, "why can't we, say, give everyone free housing?" It dies with bitterness, blame and accusations. If only we would have done it our way. If only people weren't so greedy. If only we put human life above money. If only, if only.
Human beings are imperfect not to frustrate idealists but because everything else in this world is as well. The ultimate problem with idealism is its refusal to compromise with knotty reality itself. Certitude is easy when you believe you are right.. You know, just like everyone else.
Portland is a city that confuses runaway idealism with lofty virtues. "If we weren't so greedy, nobody would ever suffer! But neoliberal corporatists love money more than people!"
Portland is filled with earnest True Believers who dare to ask difficult questions while refusing to admit the complexity of the problems themselves. When everything is extremely simple, chances are the questions it asks are the real problems.
Just read about Jerry Sears. Was looking for the inspirational angle. That boy died hard. I miss him now and I never knew him. Perhaps like Arthur of olden times...
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/7306
Idealism starts with a rhetorical question. Say, "why can't we, say, give everyone free housing?" It dies with bitterness, blame and accusations. If only we would have done it our way. If only people weren't so greedy. If only we put human life above money. If only, if only.
Human beings are imperfect not to frustrate idealists but because everything else in this world is as well. The ultimate problem with idealism is its refusal to compromise with knotty reality itself. Certitude is easy when you believe you are right.. You know, just like everyone else.
Portland is a city that confuses runaway idealism with lofty virtues. "If we weren't so greedy, nobody would ever suffer! But neoliberal corporatists love money more than people!"
Portland is filled with earnest True Believers who dare to ask difficult questions while refusing to admit the complexity of the problems themselves. When everything is extremely simple, chances are the questions it asks are the real problems.