‘Political’
In the article (Metro, Aug. 1) on the destruction of our local version of the Chinese statue, “Goddess of Democracy,” an office worker’s reaction to it was quoted as follows: “It’s political stuff and I’m not interested.”
That brought to mind the ancient Greek origin of the word “political,” which is derived from the Greek polites , meaning a citizen of the city state, which then brought to mind its opposite in Greek, idiotes , meaning “private person, ignoramus.” This word has come into English as “idiot,” with a meaning considerably less dignified.
Anyway, the lesson is there for those who will see it: Don’t be an idiot. Get involved with that “political stuff” and help our democracy to survive.
DON L. HEAD
Los Angeles
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