John A. Bing wrote:
>
> On Wed, 22 Oct 1997 12:38:23 -0400, you wrote:
>
> >Listers,
> >
> >For those members of the list not interested in more discussion on this subject please delete this message now.
> >
> >
> >
> >Thank You!
> >---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >I have been following this thread with much interest, amusement, and at times, chagrin. The original posting has obviously inspired much discussion among the members of this list. I think this is a good thing; Intelligent discussion about the nature and quality of "American culture" can never be detrimental.
>
>                         SNIP
>
> >
> >This is where I would like to see this thread go, a discussion on presenting the history of a subject to various audiences with various viewpoints concerning the history of that subject. I welcome any comments or feedback on what I have said above?
> >
> >Regards.
> >
> >
> >Dennis Comerford
>
> I want to praise Dennis Comerford for his articulate and objective
> commentary on "The American Expectation."   Not only does it address
> the differing opinions on the amusing and cynical posting  " The Bill
> of Non Rights" but he turns the  discussion in a positive way to
> elicit constructive comments from the museum community.
>
> I happen to have chuckled over the original posting and nodded my head
> in agreement  with  most of the non-rights.  One thought on the
> subject is that  it reflects the generation gap in our society.  For
> those of us who grew up in the depression and who served in WWII
> and/or Korea we do not see the government as the provider and
> guarantor of good health and happiness.  I can hear it now for
> opponents to throw out comments about the GI Bill of Rights, of Social
> Security, of Medicare as government largess to our generation.
> Really?  not so.  The GI Bill benefits were EARNED by active service
> in the armed forces, month for month.  Basic Social Security has been
> EARNED by deductions from earnings payrolls for the past 50 years.
> Medicare is less clear in that it is paid only in part by payroll
> deductions.
>
> Having said that, my closing comment is to say that I view the
> situation of museums in the same light.  We must EARN the support and
> donations from our communities and donors.  To believe the government
> should guarantee our budgets, our performance or non performance is
> unhealthy.
>
> John A. Bing
> Board Member, Laguna Art Museum
> --
> John A. Bing
> [log in to unmask]

Footnote:  The GI Bill returned, in the form of higher taxes paid by
those who were educated and/or trained by it, something like six times
what was granted to its recipients.  It was not just a pay-back for
service, it was a revolutionary move in national social and economic
development.  It expanded and elevated the middle class to unprecedented
heights.

Bob Handy
Brazoria County Historical Museum
Angleton, Texas

http://www.bchm.org