Did you see post # 13?
Its shameful the way our own government is crushing us into high density high rise developments. The big lie is that when the goverment builds your house, your town for you, that somehow that makes it better. The truth is that our own government is pushing a soviet style culture and lifestyle on us through sustainable development and smart growth.
Private property rights are more threatened these days than ever in the history of the United States. Anyone who has studied history and knows why Americans have been so blessed knows it is because of our right to private property. When its gone, so goes freedom.
Guess what I woke up to this morning? A HUGE article in my local paper entitled "Sip coffee, stir conversation: Group meets weekly to pose public questions" by Jarrett Warshaw (jwarshaw@poststar.com)
"In between sips of tea and silent reflections, Socrates Cafe discussion facilitator Colleen Florio posed a question.
"What is the purpose of community?" she asked the 10 people gathered at the Ridge Street Coffee Co. for their weekly meeting.
Member Krista Reville, owner of the Glens Falls Gnosis Center on Ridge Street, took the topic into a slightly different direction.
"The central question for me is, "What makes a desirable community?" she said, while nursing a cappuccino.
After finishing his espresso and polishing off a raspberry tart, retired psychologist Steve Johnson weighed in with a sense of urgency, said the character of a city tends to suffer from the independent-minded citizens who aren't always respectful of the law.
"Maybe the people of Glens Falls are self-directed," he said. "They do what they want, and they go around the law if they want to."
A guidance counselor by day and Socratic supposrter by night, Renee Peattie focused on the conversation even more on specific details. Acknowledging South Street's cleanliness issues, she said shop owners could "adopt a block" where they'd be in charge of helping maintain their respective areas."
The goal of the group, unlike a Common Council meeting, is not necessarily to resolve an argument. Instead it is to get people thinking differently about what they assume to be the truth.
The concept for the cafe originated with the bokk, "Socrates Cafe: A Fresh Taste of Philosophy" by Christopher Phillips.
A lot of the topics the group covers - such as inquiries into whether true altruism exists or whether democracy is inherently good - don't always come from Phillips' writing. Often, the discussion begins with a recap of the previous week, spurring ideas that lead toward an overarching dilemma.
And both organizers and participants recognize the benefits that the examined life acn have for the community.
"Glens Falls is a part of your identity and you don't want to be like anyone else," Florio said.
The Socrates Cafe meets ever Tuesday night from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Call the Ridge Street Coffee Co. at (518) 792-3711 or Colleen Florio at (518) 321-2695 for more information.
I guess it's time for a new Letter to the Editor.