Golden Mean, Rest In Peace.

IN THE MOVIE "BECKETT" Richard Burton plays the part of Thomas Beckett, a drunken womanizer, and friend of King Henry II, who is appointed Archbishop of Canterbury because Henry, played by Peter O'Toole, wants a man he can control, or thinks he can, and the Pope cannot. It turns out the king cannot. Beckett decides to take his new position seriously. At one point he is savagely attacked by a knife wielding peasant, intent on murdering the usurper. Then, the same peasant overhears Beckett eloquently praying for guidance, as he strives to genuinely meet the requirements of his office. Instantly, said peasant falls to his knees in reverence, realizing finally that Beckett is truly no usurper. Burton, in his inimitable voice, remarks "you seem to be a young man of extremes."....human nature tends towards extremes, in thought, attitude, and deed. We Americans are no exception. Extreme right, extreme left, nothing in between. Compromise, an art which on several occasions saved the Union, seems lost and forgotten. Compromise formed the government in 1787, and saved it in 1820 and 1850, or at least postponed disaster. Today it would seem we are determined to be either a nation of citizens armed to the hilt, or stripped of weapons altogether. The rich are extremely wealthy, and the poor, extremely poor. A American is either a physical fitness and health fanatic, or a drug addict. We wage war while marching in the streets, protesting war and shouting for peace. Golden mean, rest in peace.