Viper,

I can sincerely state that: “If YOU want to get YOUR house on the historic register one day after YOU finish restoring it, I don't see anything wrong with that either!!!” In fact, I would applaud your effort and would be happy to offer my humble assistance to the best of my ability. (Some people familiar with the facts, in this nation and in other nations, do seem to believe that I have some knowledge of construction methods, techniques, and problem solving.) I probably even have some tools that I would be willing to loan to you, if I can remember who I have last loaned them to, and am able to retrieve them.

There was a time, not too long ago, that I might even have donated materials, or offered an interest-free (or very low-interest) loan. Unfortunately, the last few years have been as financially hurtful to me as to so many others in our nation, so I am no longer willing to offer financial assistance in cases of “want” rather than “need”.

As to some other things you mentioned, I guess we must all follow our own conscience. There are many things that “a lot of people” choose to do. Some, I also choose to do, while others, I choose not do. Being “legal” does not always make something “right”, nor does being “illegal” make it “wrong”, at least in my view. Consider things like slavery, which was once legal in this country; the 70 mph interstate speed limit, which was legal one day, illegal the very next, and then legal again after another arbitrary date, all on the very same stretches of highways in some states.

I have similar views on “a lot of people do it” and “it has been done for quite a while”, also. Once again, consider slavery, speed limits, nuclear power plants, lead-containing paint, the death penalty, stem cell research, etc. These are all things that not only “a lot of people do” or “a lot of people have done for quite a while” but also may or may not be legal depending upon location on the earth, point in history (or in the future), or present regime of government.

Lastly, I have no idea what illegal immigrants have to do with any of this, but we probably agree in principle. Yes, I also think that “…more money comes out of our taxes paying for illegal immigrants than saving old houses.” I also believe that our tax money should not be used for either. Immigrants should come to America legally. Houses, both old and new, should be built, purchased, and maintained by their owners! If the “owner” happens to be a “foundation” and that foundation does its own fundraising, so be it!

However, I am also nearly positive that more money comes out of our taxes paying for space exploration than saving old houses. In both cases, we are NOT comparing apples-to-apples, so whether or not I am “for” or “against” the first, has nothing to do with whether I am “for” or “against” the second.

Here’s a hypothetical question:

“Is Bill Gates’ house any less historic than Paul Sorg’s? If not, why not?” “If so, then why aren’t we using tax money to maintain the Gates Mansion?”

So, at least in my view:

Mt. Vernon? Absolutely!

Monticello? Of course!

Mike Presta’s house? H*ll no!!! NEVER!!! NO WAY!!!

Bill Gates Shack? NOPE!

Sorg Mansion? Sorry!