I the posey snipet, "it's not what we give, but what we share. For the gift without the giver is bare," the stress is on what the Greeks recognized as the role of Hermes. And without doubt an audience can be moved to either good or ill and it is precisely the role of leadership to direct this unique blend of intellectual and emotional activity that is political action.

As for the Wells worry, most of us---most of the time--are free riders. Political passion has only risen to the groundswell level a few times in history and with very mixed results. But if well presented rhetoric can enthuse a large enough number to think or even be concerned about events it is a plus. In "Alice's Restaurant" Arlo Guthrie says "it might even become a movement."

Publius