Perc...I confess I was a bit upset with you when you mentioned something about my seeming indifferent to human life. I was provoked because I'd been talking about someone who was dead and gone already, couldn't (and probably wouldn't) choose to come back, and had lived to a ripe old age and went to meet his reward. Also, it was predictable as Armageddon that a "Saddam Swings" glee thread was imminent and I was pretty positive no one would take anyone to task for those sorts of comments either.
On the other hand, I also felt it was entirely possible that you were overtly expressing annoyance with me, but covertly (and possibly unintentionally) also expressing frustration with other posters who make strong statements that are inflammatory
as well.
You've always been kind and decent to me on the board as well.
Whatever. That's life.
Sometimes, you're the pigeon. Sometimes, you're the statue.
My take on what you've said? I know it is innate to want people you care about (or, even, those you put up with) to settle down, and learn to go along to get along.
But these are tumultuous times. There is great vexation with the status quo.
I believe that the age of tolerance and multiculturalism, as they are currently defined, are coming to a close. People have had it up to their necks with having tolerance and multiculturalism forced down their throats (whether real or imagined).
When I speak powerfully and forcefully for or against an issue, I'm really not trying to teach anything. But there are times when I see misconceptions, foolishness and a willingness to believe and be manipulated based on misinformation and distortions, I HAVE to speak up.
I too once lived in a place called Howard Beach, where is was not advisable to speak out against things that people did toward one another. I saw, and felt, and witnessed the price of false honor, and the psychic pain over time. The rate of drug abuse, domestic violence, robberies, etc. rivalled that of a notorious slum that was a few minutes away by car.
Many aspects of life in the former East Germany were like that as well, although the negative aspects of that particular situation at least ground to a screeching halt. And not, as some "dignitaries" like to claim, because of their forbearance...but because ordinary citizens of conscience overcame the spirit of fear and marched, and screamed, and stood up against injustice.
It won't work, for people to be tiptoeing around one another. Either I will have to leave, or other people will have to leave, or we'll have to devise new ways of communicating with one another and getting our points across effectively, and learning to listen without prejudice.
And that takes time.
My email is not a secret. After the last round, I haven't heard from anybody, which to me was an indication that I shouldn't return, but for some reason, I felt moved in my spirit to come back, for I do enjoy posting here.
Please just try to remember, Rich, that everyone has to make their own choices. Sometimes a contrived peace is worse than no peace at all. And, it is said that one may lie for peace, but not when the peace itself is a lie.
HAPPY 2007, FELLOW WASHERIANS!!!
