On Hindsight

As you read my views on issues in this collection of papers, please keep in mind that the views I express are not aided by the hindsight you may possess many years later. I would not be writing on an issue unless the position I take is not generally accepted as correct in my time. There is no need to discuss the obvious. In your time, my view may seem obvious or even trite if my assessment has become the norm. My view may seem unthinkable to you if society has, by then, taken a different tack. I will try to date each paper so that time issues are obvious.

As I write on an issue, I will try to give you some perspective of my perception as to the extent my views are similar to those of some segment of the population of the world at the time I write.

As your time becomes more distant from mine, reality will change. You will have options of which I cannot imagine. There may be instances where a citizen of my day would have options which seem unimaginable to you. Such is the nature of change.

I hope change will always be change toward improvement of the lot of society, but alas this will not always be true. It is your job to reflect on the issues and try to make it happen.

Jim Fuqua

30 December 2006