The Philanthropy Thinkery

Horace, the Roman insider and Satirist, in Ars Poetica, a deceptively informal sounding verse letter to a wealthy family, whose Morals and Taste he is Tutoring, says that "art holds a mirror up to nature."  By that he could mean the natural world, but he could also mean human nature.  Now, he could also mean that the goal is depict nature correctly or accurately. But it would seem that he also means that the poet's goal is "delight and instruct" in order to reform, as a good teacher would.  The poet does not just show us how things are with us, he limns our lives, or caricatures them, in such a way that we become ashamed of our vices, repent, and reform. It is in that spirit, not to harm, but to assuage and assist, that I write of the Think Tank Thinkers of Philanthropy, as does my no less erudite friend, Albert Ruesga here.   America will not be free, until the Think Tanks are shut down, and their denizens whipped through the streets.  Amy, it would take an Aristophenes to write our Clouds. What is a woman like you doing in a place like this?