[disjunction]

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I'd be very interested in hearing what community service (sans BG's charitable contributions) any of these high stakes players have ever provided other than boinking the occasional cocktail waitress.

[/ QUOTE ]

They inhabit a nexus of the modern community. They spread gossip and news from the rich to the poor and back, which is thought to be good for the community. They provide an outlet for men to compete and raise their testosterone levels without violence.

The first lecture I ever attended in college was by an Italian cosmologist, delivered in a heavy accent. The theme of his talk was "What use is cosmology?" What conceivable value is there in knowing what took place billions of years ago? This is the question that the government keeps asking before they pay him.

His answer: "I don't know. Get off my back".