Just a few thoughts after reading Marcel's & Laurent's & Chris' & Anne's &
Debra's & Patrick's & E.T. CETERA's mails.
A wise rabbi from Haifa to a boy who asked him what "truth" was: "There are
three truths. Your truth, my truth and THE truth."
An anecdote from Amsterdam, 1942, World War 2: "In 1942, the Amsterdam
Jodenbuurt (Jew Quarter) was situated close to an area where the tough &
rough harbour workers lived. Many of the harbour workers hated the Jews,
picking fights with them, calling them names ("Smousen" - Spics), making
their lives miserable at times. Then the Germans moved in for the first,
mild, anti-Jew measures. Within an hour or so, thousands of wire-muscled
harbour workers had surrounded the Jewish quarter, preventing the Germans
from entering the area. Their explanation: They're fucking Jews, but they're
OUR fucking Jews."
Was this true? I don't know, I was not there. But I have always liked this
variation on Decartes' saying: "I despise your views, but I am prepared to
die for your right to express them."
Let's not be angered by views.
Not even when they are backed by conceived truths.
Let's not see an exchange of views and truths as a competition in being
right.
And let's consider feelings to be 'facts', too.
All parties, please - bullies, bullied and spectators.
My 5 centen.
John
P.S. BTW, Chris, now I know why you are called "Marshall" ;-)
