My friend,
You might not feel the friendship, though I hope you do.
I know you expected me to be on page with you when you put me on an email list of acquaintances a few years ago. The people on that list were probably much closer to you in their politics, and I can see why you expected me to be one of them. I’m sure they all were on board with the opinions expressed and I’m sure at first you thought I would be too.
And I stand with you, for if you cannot hear these words of mine, then I have not done all I am responsible to do.
You’re intelligent, well educated, a professional with impeccable hip, progressive credentials (yes, conformity to standards is a sin qua non of any group).  You saw that I fit some of the boxes and you thought that I would of course embrace the creed of that group.
It's true that I see myself as a part of that group. I value each of these markers, intelligence and education certainly. Hipness is something I value, too, if it means freshness and friendliness, openness and creativity, and the willingness to take a big chance when that’s what’s needed.
And being progressive, if it means I don’t believe the past has all the answers. It doesn’t. What is the future for if not getting better?
I guess my difference is that I have come to see intelligence in places where I didn’t look for it, the deep intelligence required to do everyday things well, the everyday things you and I depend on every day, often without thinking. I don’t see intelligence as the exclusive property of a certain class.
I guess I no longer believe that being well-educated means having a degree from a very expensive university. I know what educated fools look like and feel like, because I know I was one. Without vigilance, I would be one.
I thank my teachers and the Godly teachings they live and represent for helping me see better. One of the main things I came to see clearly through their challenge was that we can make an idol out of the intellect. It all depends on our choic...