SLSL Racial Differences

[MalignD at aol.com]

In a message dated 11/13/02 6:36:29 AM, jbor at bigpond.com writes:

<< I'm interpreting "deplore" in the sense of *expressing* dissatisfaction 
(i.e. "bemoaning") rather than actually *feeling* particularly sincere about 
the issue. But I can see the possibility you raise that the last two clauses 
are referring to the same group. But then, if that's the case, I'm not sure 
that "useful" fits, even as sarcasm, and Pynchon and others of like mind 
aren't particularly "poor and powerless" either. >>

I'm reading "deplore" similarly and, in this instance, only pointing out a 
syntactical possiblity, not a belief that this is what he intends.  Combined 
with "useful," he would be saying, more or less, that poverty and 
powerlessness are enviable states, which I suppose they could be, if one is 
thinking along the lines of heaven, camels, and eyes of needles.  Pynchon 
might believe himself "poor and powerless"; it's all relative and there are 
the likes of Bill Gates, Saudi oil princes, and Rupert Murdoch to compare 
himself to.

I don't think for a minute this is what he's saying.  if he is, he's an idiot.

Having looked at this sentence from so many directions, I conclude with you 
that it's tantamount to gibberish.