It took me a long time to realize that a lot of things that I took to be deeply rooted fundamental principles were preferences. Not ordinary preferences. Higher level ones. But preferences, still. Some of my lower-level preferences have clearly been the result of circumstances. I was a Dodgers fan because I grew up in Brooklyn and my Uncle Sammy took me to Ebbets field to see them. I stayed a Dodgers fan until Dem Bums betrayed us. I'm a Pats fan because I've lived most of my life in New England. Plus those of my kids that follow football are Pats fans. And so are some friends.