University of Virginia Library

Misquote

In Jim Massey's account of the
discussion Bill Harbaugh and I led
about the Greening of America, I
am quoted as saying that "we are
on the brink of an authoritarian
police state."

Although I did convey serious
concern about repressive tendencies
or pressures for closure in our
society, I did not make the above
characterization of our present
condition. Rather, with Reich I am
hopeful that we may somehow
reverse those aspects of our society
which reinforce a repressive climate
and through the leavening of a new
humanistic consciousness go on to
make it a place truly "worthy of
the spirit of man to inhabit," (as
Jim does indeed accurately quote
me as saying).