Thanks for your challenge. As in so many cases, growth is brought about when
awareness is raised. I must say, however, that this group, apparently, fosters
a number of folks who have attained a rare level of perfection that eludes the
rest of us. Yet, something also appears to have eluded you in regards to my
remarks. I shall try, though seemingly ever so feebly, to give a clearer answer
for myself.
<"A better world begins with you." A fine sentiment, that, but somewhat
ambiguous in application. Should we perhaps take it to mean "A better
world begins with someone else"? That seems to be the reading Perry has
in mind.
I have come to believe that doing good is not something that should be done to
draw attention to oneself. In doing so, we more or less, have our reward. My
favored motto seems to have been taken in light by this group as referring to a
stand for the environment, which in part, may be true. The greater meaning, at
least to me, has to do rather with kindness shown to our fellow men. There's
great importance in saving a snail darter from extinction, but there's greater
value in saving human life. Those who care to disagree with that sentiment,
have my permission to do so, if you find you need it. It is the purpose that I
have in mind, nevertheless. If you find joy in argumentation, you'll have to
get you joy from another source than me. I do not care to argue. If you desire
to carry on a civil discussion about good things and bad things, don't take on
an air of arrogance. It does nothing to encourage others to follow your example
in good.
<All well and good. We live in a land ruled by the Invisible Hand, after all. In
any case, I'm tempted to observe that if man has owned 11 sailboats and then
pleads poverty, he need only look to himself for the explanation. This, however,
would be unkind. Still, I can't resist putting in my oar. I'm only sorry that it
isn't a Seagull.
Poverty has many levels. In the case of the 11 sailboats, most of them were
purchased as projects and repaired to be sold later, after some use on my part.
It also allowed me to discover the strengths and weaknesses of different types
of boats that I would never have been able to experience by purchasing one new
and expensive boat. It also allowed me to learn, which is something I enjoy
doing. My last boat had a gasoline inboard (atomic four) which I removed. My
investment monetarily has been very insignificant, even for one in poverty.
<Perry invites us to contrast his record as a polluter with Geoff's. He'll bet,
he says, that Geoff's costly and effete four-stroke Honda has polluted more than
his stalwart, manly Seagull.
Ah... but I only wish to draw your attention to this. Which causes more
pollution? A Seagull that sits in the Lazarette and is called upon for use 2
hours in a year, or a four stroke that is used every weekend through the summer?
This was my point. Your statistics are most assuredly correct, but missed my
point entirely.
<OK. You're on, Percy. At a conservative estimate, your Seagull dumps 25%
of its fuel-oil mix right out the pipe, unburned. Add in gaseous
combustion by-products, and that's some 1.8 pounds of hydrocarbons for
every gallon of fuel consumed.
<A _carbureted_ 4-stroke, on the other hand, probably emits only 7% of
this amount. Fuel-injected 4-stroke engines with electronic ignition
should do even better.
<The conclusion? Geoff will have to run his engine at least 14 times as
much as Perry runs his just to break even. Submit your log-books to the
judges, gentlemen. My money's on Geoff.
This again was my point. In four years, I've only had to use an engine on
perhaps three occasions.
<Oh, well. That's not the point is it? And Sunday is the day for sermons.
I might as well add my own gloss on the beatitudes.
It is a good day for Sermons, and I've done my three for the day.
<Perry begs Geoff's pardon for having "failed [his] test." It is not Geoff's
pardon he should beg, of course. He must look to himself. It _is_ cruel to
observe that "pleasure belongs only to those who can afford it." Yet this is
arguably the case. The poor -- the genuinely poor, that is, not the boat poor --
do not, in the main, live pleasant lives. And their plight won't be bettered by
dumping raw gasoline in the water they swim (and wash) in. As for Perry, if
can't have fun without his Seagull, more power to him. I'll continue to rely on
the wind and my own muscle, and meet "emergencies" as they come.
My plea is simple, I'm making efforts to improve, but arrogance and intimidation
will not coerce me into moving faster than I can garner the knowledge. I do not
feel compelled to work on someone elses time schedule, nor do I expect them to
adhere to mine. Geoff made apparently felt that my motto was hypocritical, I
merely wanted to offer my sincere apology that he had taken it to mean something
other than I had intended. It was obviously my fault for not making clearer my
intentions. If I have offended you, I also ask for your indulgence?
<Neither Perry nor I has a monopoly on virtue, of course. Both of us claim to be
"environmentally aware." But one of us is doing less harm to the waters we both
profess to love. I don't imagine that I need point out which one, do I?
How true (regarding monopoly)! I'm trying to increase my virtue, but lay no
claim to perfection. Your accusation here is truly uncalled for. If I own an
engine that I have used less than two hours in the time that I've possessed it,
how can I be the culprit?
It does seem that you have your teeth and claws sharpened. I shall in the
future try to be more careful. I certainly don't wish to fall prey to your
(obviously zealous) watchfullness. I would comment, however, that you are most
certainly the kind of friend one would wish to have, that you should defend
Geoff so vehemently. I admire that.
Perry
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Perry W. Phillips
"A better world begins with you!"
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http://www.prayercircle.org
prayercircle@prayercircle.org = For Prayer Request
1970 C Type West Wight Potter "Frodo" Un-numbered Hull
http://www.prayercircle.org/pwphil/index.html
Port Arthur, Texas (Sabine Lake/Gulf of Mexico)