Reply #191: Actually, the term idealistic isn't a negative one in my mind.

[MineralMan]

I'm idealistic, too. Your ideals and mind are probably virtually identical. My belief that they can be achieved, intact, quickly, however, is probably far different from your belief. For that reason, I prefer to work toward the ideals in an incremental way, since history has shown me that can work.

We do not differ in our ideals. We differ in how we believe they will be attained. I believe that part of a loaf is preferable to not having any bread to eat at all. I will take a slice, if that's all that's available at the moment, and I'll eat it dry if there's no butter to be had.

We share ideals as a strategic goal. We do not share the tactical applications that work toward those goals.

Perhaps we should focus more on our common ground than our differences. That seems worthwhile to me.