"Seeker--

You got me thinking about this idea of 'meddling.'

(1)  A volunteer fire fighter in a rural community has never experienced a fire in her own house.  Usually she is called to fight fires within a ten-to-twenty mile radius of her home, but on occasion, she fights larger fires further away.

(2) The leader of a large, powerful nation decides to send troops into another, very distant country because the leader of the smaller country is a merciless, repressive despot who has systematically tried to eliminate those who opposed him.

(3) A traveller is set upon by thieves and left for dead.  Several members of the traveller's own tribe pass the victim, but ignore the obvious injury.  A passing member of a much despised nearby tribe stops and offers aid.

(4) Moderately affluent, white, college students go to a distant region to help indigent, poorly educated, black folks gain the right to vote.

(5) European missionaries share their beliefs among indigenous non-Europeans. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabian missionaries share their beliefs in Cincinnati, and two guys from Utah are circling my block on their bicycles.

If the action of a stranger is sought or welcomed, it is help; if not, it is meddling. As far as I can tell, the distinction is entirely subjective and reflects only the attitude of the recipient, although the word "meddle" gets used as if it objectively describes the action itself.  

When you imply that Robert Campbell has been meddling, all you are saying is that you didn't ask him to participate and you don't appreciate his involvement.  When I say thanks for the help, all I do is express my appreciation for the same involvement.

We both say more about ourselves than we do about Robert Campbell, don't we?"

Congratulations ram! We miss you Professor Campbell. The Mr. Wonderful Citation de la Semaine Award will occur on the first Sunday of September.