Hoover identified five types of Communists.
- The card-carrying Communist
- The underground Communist
- The Communist sympathizer
- The fellow traveler, someone not a potential Communist but nevertheless who may hold views shared by Communists
- The dupes
I have to say, were I a Communist, I would be a fellow traveler, because I like travel just that much.
It seems that travel makes your spouse more loyal. I read this interesting article regarding commitment. The part that struck me was that scientists “theorize that couples who explore new places and try new things will tap into feelings of self-expansion, lifting their level of commitment.” I never feel closer to Gary than when we’ve mastered the public transit in a new town. I don’t know how Gary feels, but for me it’s better than sex, because there’s no bladder infection.
I know I’ve felt that same commitment to people with whom I’ve cruised. I’ve become brand loyal to a number of bands just because they were on the BNL Ships and Dip cruise. I bought the Gaelic Storm without having heard the band or any song by the band because they were “on the cruise.” I never heard a note from them on the cruise (other things to listen to), but I wanted to buy their CD and the Carbon Leaf CD. Because I slept with them on a boat.
Of course, my strongest loyalty is to those who have been to other planets. What will I do if someday a clinically depressed person runs for public office? And what if he’s just a real ass, like Rand Paul? And would Rand been named Ayn if he was a girl? You know he would.