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Fairly recently I have posted a diary entry 'We need perestroika on Opednews'
click here that entry I formulated a group of principles I would recommend this site to adopt and follow openly and freely.
The diary attracted 33 comments and I was fascinated by the diversity of opinions. Of course, as it happens frequently two of the commenters engaged in some embedded discussion ( Tom Murphy and Mr. Paatche). I had decided that in this particular case I would refrain from my own personal opinion about the content of some individual comments. Still I had learned a lot. One thing I learned is that I was right: Americans are the same people as everyone else. I mean as individuals. Most of the arguments people presented pro and contra were EXACTLY the same formulations I have heard before from the people in Russia, Italy, Ukraine, Israel and Caucasus, whenever I rose the issue of such principles to be implemented. Folks, you will be surprised on the way your formulations, the ways to express thyselves and even your arguments were similar to the ones of those people obviously of diffferent cultures and different backgrounds. Sort of the Gaussian is the same for all in its relative values, though the actual median (expressions) and std deviation (possiblity of compromise) are different from domain to domain.
It is sad and joyful at the same time, I guess. The whole point of our diaries, articles and comments is to check the perceptions each of us already has, to refine our picture of the world. I am happy I was right. I am sad that the problems I thought I left behind happened to wait for me here. It is like that story about Death. Once a Khalif met his gardener who was very afraid. The gardener said, 'Please, let me leave for Sammarah! I saw Death here and she winked at me. I want to run away!' The Khalif gladly let the poor guy go. Next evening he was in the garden again and met Death. He said, 'You scared my gardener so much that he ran away from here.'
Oh,- said Death,- I will meet him tomorrow in Sammarah.
Considering what we have done in Iraq that Sammarah story does sound very plausible and here is what I want to say to all of you because this I know and you do not, no matter who you are: I know because I went through it and my parents and their parents, etc and ALL people are the same: if the principles I have formulated would not be adopted UNCONDITIONALLY and without deviation- we all here, good people risk our very survival and the lives of our children. Everything what was in those comments happened before. The result of too much discussions in the face of the deadly force in power ( and we have one) resulted in disaster. I know that for sure. That is why I warn. It is up to you to consider the warning. I warn honestly- we are in terrible danger and the source of that danger are our people, the ones in power, not some foreigners. Veritas Odium Parit ( Truth creates hate), but I sincerely hope that truth as warning will create appreciation.
With that I remember the golden words of the veterinary and cowboy- philosopher Raimund Bach, 'Never miss an opportunity to shut up.' I thus adjourn.
