On Monday 24 Nov 2003 7:08 pm, you wrote:
> Ken,
>
> I really do feel that there is a vast gulf of mis-understanding between all
> races, creeds and faiths within the US and globally.  A big part, I feel,
> is that a large segment of the culturally "elite" (mass media,
> universities, political organizations) take a cue from Rodney King.  Let me
> qualify:
>
> On that spring day in '95, I really think that Mr. King was sincere in his
> question, "Can't we all get along?"  The groups I mentioned, however,
> parrot these words and do nothing else except ask us to police up our
> language so it's not offensive to some particular group.  Changing words
> does not change attitudes of the heart.  The only way that can happen is if
> each group--each individual--examines his or her behavior and attitudes and
> is willing to accept truth and responsibility.  I fear this is not going to
> happen as we are in a time where folks say, with all seriousness, "that's
> may be true for you, but not for me."  Facts are binary--they are either
> correct or incorrect.  They are not correct for some, but incorrect for
> others.

But "facts" have a time dimension, what is widely taken as a true statement at
one time by a majority, is thought to be false at another. (The earth is flat
- the earth is round, God created Adam & Eve - we are descended from
primates). Even a "fact" like "water is wet" is only true at certain
temperatures!! I leave binary "truth" to computers, the real world is
analogue (and much more interesting).

> Until each of us is willing to take responsibility for our own failures,
> we're doomed to have cultures of complaint and professional victimization.
> Color me paranoid, but I do believe we are headed for an internal war of
> culture and race equal to anything ever seen in the Balkans, Middle East or
> Africa.
>
> Kyle
>

Cheers

Deri