liberal arts colleges

George Orwell observed that no man is a philosopher on an empty stomach.

Here in the United States, the foothold of the "liberal arts college" is eroding as hunger claims the land. A broadly thoughtful individual -- possibly endowed as well with a dollop of critical thinking -- is no match for the hungers of the times. A merchandiser's mentality, never far from the surface in America, is claiming the lion's share.

How grateful I am to have been well-fed. And how uneasy and a bit sorrowful that my country can come up with no better than thin gruel.

Add it to the refrigerator magnets: "He knows the price of everything and the value of nothing."