Dear Nicole and lurkers [lurkers may wish to skip the first 3/4 to get to
the real content],
> << This is interesting. Do you think that even today the majority of
> opression, degradation, exploitation etc today (other than attributed to
> multinational corporations) is still being perpetrated by traditional colonial
> occupiers? >>
Sorry about the way this came across to you. I meant the first sentence
as an honest expression of interest, and the second as a genuine
request for your opinion/knowledge.
> Hardly an American patriot, but also not someone who overlooks the deeds of
> other western nations. There is an ability to criticize both your own country
> and other countries when justified. There is nothing in my words which
> indicates that I lack that ability - my work is based on that ability.
Did I imply that you lack that ability? [Disclaimer: this question
is not intended to be rhetorical] Most of my post was spent
trying to point out that I am aware of the sins of other governments
including my "own" (a term I reject since most governments represent
the antithesis of my views, ie mine is a philosophy based on love
rather than hatred). I didn't expect anyone to be touchy about me
criticizing their country because I _honestly_ did not think that any
ecofeminist would feel any allegiance to or association with any first
world patriarchy. Please, I honestly don't want to argue with you or
offend you.
> it "interesting" that I feel such oppression is perpetrated by traditional
> colonial countries?
No, I was (genuinely) interested to hear that someone who sounded like
she might know what she was talking about (and it is now obvious, you
do), felt that traditional colonialists are _still_ responsible for the
__majority__ of bad things happening globally _today_. That is, that
they are a bigger problem than the multinationals and other governments
and militaries. I am still interested to hear your opinion on
this specifc point (note the words _"underlined"_).
The remainder of your message was based on a minsunderstanding
of my intentions so I now consider it effectively retracted, and
I will disregard it...
in the spirit of non-violent discourse,
love Russell
