Dear Bob....

It is insane in all cases to worry about what dead writers might have said.
Read the words, put them away, and enjoy them for the way they were given to
you.

Who really gives a damn whether Mark Twain "might have thought" something.
If Mr. Clemens were alive today, he would be probably have a lot to say to
the lot of you, who perpetuate your own self-importance by trying to figure
out what the hell he might have said. He's dead. Get over it.

David Butler. St. Louis, Missouri.


----- Original Message -----
From: Robert Slotta <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, March 18, 2000 9:53 PM
Subject: Larry King Live Mark Twain quote


> This evening Larry King closed his program by asking his guest to reflect
> upon Mark Twain's choice to be an animal rather than a human being if he
> were ever given the choice.  Larry King said something to this effect,
"Mark
> Twain was once asked what he would choose to be if given the choice
between
> being  an animal or a human being.  He chose to be an animal.  What is
your
> comment on this?"   Larry King's guest answered that he himself would
rather
> be a "sentient being."  The precise phraseology can be had at
> www.cnn.com/larryking and looking at the transcripts of the March 18th,
2000
> broadcast, which will hopefully be available within 24 hours.
>
> Perhaps Larry King has  taken Mark Twain out of context.  We all know
about
> Mark Twain's comment that crossing a man and a cat would deteriorate the
cat
> and improve the man, or his statement that, "Concerning the difference
> between man and the jackass: some observers hold that there isn't any.
But
> this wrongs the jackass."    But, honestly, does anyone really believe
that
> Mark Twain would actually chose to be a generic animal instead of a human
> being?  I for one don't think so.
>
> For one thing, no other animal can write!  Nor can any other animal smoke
a
> cigar at will, or have a drink of alcohol, or play billiards, etc..
>
> Even as much as Mark Twain held cats in the utmost high regard, I know he
> wouldn't seriously consider being one, especially considering his
> observation that, "We should be careful to get out of an experience only
the
> wisdom that is in it--and stop there; lest we be like the cat that sits
down
> on a hot stove-lid.  She will never sit on a hot stove-lid again--and that
> is well; but also she will never sit down on a cold one any more."
>
> I would appreciate feedback about this matter to this forum, or to me
> personally at [log in to unmask] .
>
> Thank You All,
>
> Bob Slotta