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Pastimes : My House -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Solon who wrote (3193)	10/29/2002 6:51:55 AM
From: Poet	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 7689

That was gorgeous, Solon. I'm so glad you responded. I've spent more time in Europe than many Americans, and though (as you know) I'm a Christian, I was amazed to see that the overwhelming majority of art in Italy and France was "sponsored" by the Catholic Church, and hence reflected religious themes. I couldn't help but think will in the Uffizi in Florence,in the city of Avignon, and in tiny villages all over both countries, how much human power was directed toward the design and building of shrines to Christ and Mary. Would would these towns look like if artists could find another source of funding in order to make a living and feed their families? Surely there would be magnificent churches, frescoes and tile work, and there would have been so much more. Your point about the "softness" (my word) that settles in on people in a democratic society is well-taken. A democracy looks to be representative of citizenry, it does not look to, nor can it, please everyone all the time. And you're right about American beer....except for Samuel Adams out of Boston. Ever tried it?

To: Solon who wrote (3193)	10/29/2002 12:53:40 PM
From: Lazarus_Long	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 7689

Cities without ballet, opera, art galleries, concert venues, etc. Are doomed to stagnation and decay. Let me clarify: The debate here is not about support of the arts by state or city gov'ts. If their constitutions and charters allow such, then it is legal. It is about support of the arts by the US FEDERAL GOV'T. No such power is granted in the federal Constitution; in fact, such a power is reserved to the states and such lower governmental bodies as they may set up. Are doomed to stagnation and decay Are they? Really? THe US, now the powerful nation on the planet both economically and militarily, grew up through most of its history with no federal support of arts and not much local. A rather specious thesis, I think. And the U.S. Is short of decent beer. SIgh. True. Good English beer makes you think American beer is recycled urine. Uh, maybe it is. :-) And I disagree about Sam Adams. It's just another American beer.