[MD] Barbarian attack

[Heather Perella]

Arlo,

     Arlo said in "Unreality of Equality":  "A
reasoned opinion would agree that American, and
western culture has brought the world a lot of good.
But would also be able to step back and (1) examine
what it brings that might not be good, and (2) accept
that other cultures may do some things better. It is
not an "all or nothing" game, as Platt makes it."

     Yes, this kind of mentality Platt has is
confusing and perplexing.  History is full of
self-righteous cultures fighting it out thinking they
are better than everybody else.  This is what is known
at my work as one resident called 'change'.  The
residents change and become more aggressive and begin
to feel they have to prove something to the other
residents, especially, the newer residents.  It
becomes a 'king of the hill' mentality.  Bully others
into your superiority.  I know Platt means well.  He
loves his country.  He loves the inherent
constitutional freedoms and values that this culture
ideally stands for, but remember Platt those are
ideals.  This culture has to rid certain undesirable
values that inhibit those values from being met. 
Historically and currently such as slavery, the
treatment of Amerindians, consumerism, the pointing of
a gun at countries to get them to trade with us, and
etc...  As for the latter, that is how the U.S. navy
got started, even though the constitution had no
clause for it.  The U.S. wanted to trade into the
Mediterranean Sea.  Tripoli, I believe, was pirating
the trade ships.  The U.S. built a navy.  Japan was
opened to U.S. trade via the navy ships anchoring in
the harbor pointing there guns at the shore.  And now
the U.S. is stuck in a war over oil and terrorism is
linked as well, but the underlying drive is economics.
 We need to have introspection if we are to cultivate
Quality (Excellence).  I don't want this to turn into
a pissing match, I am just trying to find the
excellence in the dynamic quality.  If, constrasting
opinions must be the Way, then so be it.

SA  

     

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