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Last year, I finally made it to Florence, and stood in awe of Michelangelo’s David. The veins in his hand. Everything about it was breathtaking. As for the kerfuffle over the teacher’s forced resignation, Mr. Bishop indeed sounds defensive and angry. Although I’m not sure why the teacher told her students not to tell their parents about seeing the David photo. The world seems increasingly off kilter, and this destructive divisiveness and criticism of people over ideas is leading us to our ruin. Thanks for another thought provoking essay, Charles.

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Florence is certainly an ideal place to visit when the world feels off. For me there’s some reassurance in seeing places with such a rich history—it can make contemporary troubles look a lot less important, especially when I consider the upheavals, dangers, and pure chaos that accompanied all that beauty and creation. Thank you for the thoughtful words and I am glad to hear that you made the trip.

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I very much appreciate your inference (or perhaps it's quite clear!) that Barney Bishop III is a right wing authoritarian who is matched by the authoritarians on the left. Categories, categories, categories. When it comes to art, my only crime is that I want all of it, from all angles. I also think it's quite astonishing that Renaissance Art is being taught to sixth graders.

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"I want all of it" is clear and succinct and, to my ears, exactly right.

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Beautifully written. It gave me a deeper appreciation for David. Thank you.

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Thank you for the kind words.

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I think BBIII has a small pee pee and can't help himself when things remind him of that.

Seriously, I agree with you. We must embrace the strength and fragility of our human experience. Thank you for this.

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Thank you for the kind words—I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed it.

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Apr 8, 2023
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Thank you for the comment and your thoughts.

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