<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Damn the politicians and their political stylists for forcing upon us a polarization on the basis of party affiliations; and creating in the ethos of the culture such sharp rancour.
And damn those who can’t recognize people for how they are without the need to denounce them as tree-hugging democrats or gun-toting republicans.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Amen!
bgoosewood I am truly sorry if I sound mean, it is perhaps because I am concerned and care so much.
You see we 've had some of these debates and agreed with some of the premises proposed here, and, lived to see that in the extreme view they had flaws.
I think most of the Republicans are really anti-establishment because they want control of their own lives, “Individualism means that”.
Individualism can sound mean because it sounds as if it means we are opposed to being part of a collective. This is why so many times America has been accused of isolationism, and yet it participaates wholeheartedly in all the needs of the 3rd world to a point of showing a preference for it as opposed to our own citizens.
Symantics tend to dramatize a situation in ways perhaps it shouldn’t. Whenever we try to make generalized simplistic statements they can be taken as different than the real intentions. There is in every group extremists who somehow manage to become the definition of the group.
My intention is not to maternalize the next generations but rather to some how explain that these debates have been had and won, but the extentions of the original hypothesis has not worked out as it should.
For example in the above subject of students and education. I don’t believe there was major conspiracy to dumb down America. I do believe that well intentioned people thought that it would healthier if children had a homogenous environment. They really had the conviction that it was better for the children.
Now we need to re-examine the ideas, put them with what worked in the past and come to a compromise that might be better for the children yet to be educated.
Sure, the frontier people were coarse and tough and they made mistakes. I had a project a while back and thought that this industry might be the perfect place for native Americans. Their skill with horses and their reverence for the earth I thought would make them compatible with our needs.
And, I hired two Apaches. It was one of the most revealing experiences because I became good friends with one. Randy was the classic image of the native American. Sparkling perfect white teeth and a very gentle nature.
One day when we were talking he mentioned how he never understood why we as white people called him a “Red Man”. He thought that in reality their complexion is more related to those from Korea or even the Eskimos, or perhaps the Pacific peoples.
Then he spent a summer in Arizona on the Reservation and one afternnon he and his cousin were sitting on a rock talking and suddenly he looked at his cousin and said “You really are red”. It was sunset and the red sun reflected on their skin. That was the picture those back east got from the reports sent back by the Cavalry.
Now, I can tell you, and I know that Randy would agree with me that when he consumed “firewater”, alcohol he had a short temper and a very quick response to any misunderstood remark. That would account for the fear they may have engendered in the early colonists. I cannot and will not justify our stealing their land.
There is now a lady who proves my belief that one person can make a difference. A young native American fortunate enough to go to college took on the USA, and all by herself is on the verge of winning a huge settlement for the tribes, long overdue, but better late than never.
Please don’t misunderstand my positions, and please don’t reinterpret them as opposition. Just as those who survived the holocaust can testify as witnesses, and the soldiers who found them can certify there was a holocaust When they are all gone and you can’t see them or hear them in person it may be possible to convince some that there was never a holocaust, and therefore no reason for the State of Israel.
I believe we all agree much more than we disagree on principles, but we do disagree on the methods for solving the problems. My intention is to witness how we got where we are not because we were perfect or made all the right decisions just so you can understand what the reasoning was for the actions we took.
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>[B]from Patrick Henry?
Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation?
For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.
What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?
Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>[/B]
Our Founding Fathers had a great idea! It’s not perfect but it is by far the best there has ever been. So please forgive my flag waving and my complete patriotism for a civilization under attack.
I too believe that what we have to fear is what will happen if we do nothing.
