Dear Norm and all
In reply to your post, I would like to first let you know that I have always been very happy to mail with you. I was assuming that my post would offend some, but it is my opinion nevertheless. I stand by it. As I said I rarely get into these sort of debates for obvious reasons. I shall be glad to answer you however, and hope that we can maintain a calm conversation, and avoid hostile attitudes. I hope so. I realize you are a very systematic person, and care greatly about detail, so I will maintain your point layout. You asked me: 1. While you rail against Americans, you fail to identify your own national allegiance. I answer : First of all I do not count my reply a "rail", the dictionary defines a rail "to spread negative information or to criticize severely using foul abusive language". I do not think I did that.do you? Secondly while I am a Danish national, I do not hold allegiance to a country, but instead follow decency truth and kindness. I do not see these values in any government and so my allegiance here on earth, goes to individuals or groups of people, who seek to change the world through peace. You stated: 2. Americans, as well as many other nationalities, are not responsible for the acts of their government. If one has no power to effect a situation, one has no responsibility for it. We only get to elect our leaders if we're lucky, and for about half of us the fellow we voted for did not get elected. So the elected officials usually represent the choice of only a minority of the people. I answer: I do not recall mentioning anything about the American government, elections etc. I am fully aware of the issues you bring up and the frustration ordinate Americans must feel. That goes for both republicans and democrats. It is indeed a very difficult problem, and I grant you, that Americans in general are too easily blamed for actions of their Government. My comments were about the Americans I have worked with, and know personally. I am presently visiting Miami, married to an American, and have lots of friends and associates here. While I greatly admire the high ideals of my american friends, I must conclude that most, if not all of them, through their upbringing are quite disadvantaged when it comes to problem solving and managing conflict. It's just not a priority in the American educational system or in society at large. Hence my comments, and statements. You stated: 3. It is untrue that "all (Americans) claim to believe in the Bible". While the bible does state "a soft answer turns away wrath", pirate attacks are motivated by avarice, not wrath. The bible also recommends "an eye for an eye, an ear for an ear". You can find anything you want in most religion's manuals so as to leave the interpretation to the priests to make as it suits them. I answer: I think you have misread or misunderstood my post Norm. You quoted me as saying that "All Americans believe in the Bible" but I did not say that, I just re read my post it states: "MOST Americans put hard against hard almost from the get go, and though MOST claims to be from "Gods own country" they forget the small verse in the book they all claim to believe in, the Bible, which says "a soft answer turns away wrath". My claim is that MOST believe in Jesus, i.e. are Christians and Most claim to be from "Gods own country". To be accurate 73.6% claim to be Christians, this MAJORITY claim to follow the teachings of the Bible. It is this Majority I am talking about. Maybe it does not include you, I don't know. Incidentally I think you misquoted the Bible by the way, :-) isn't it an eye for an eye and a toot for a tooth, as far as I recall that's the wording, but let that be. I will refrain from answering the religious part. Now to the interesting point, what we really should really be talking about. You said: 4, A recent report of piracy happened in Middle Eastern waters so the attackers were most likely Muslims. Furthermore, considering the how heavily armed and aggressive they were it seems likely that the victims survived only because they opened fire with more effective firepower than the pirates. 5. In the many reports of piracy I have read, none were repulsed by soft words. My answer: I would grant you, that in many cases pirates are extremely aggressive and violent, and no sweet talking is going to change their intent. This seems to be especially the case, in and around the Mideast. I am sure that you are aware of the fact however, that this is not the case in other locations, so my first advice is to AVOID cruising in these areas. Norm you are a reasonable man. I am sure you know the arguments on both sides of the weapons issue. Often the Pirates are just poor fishermen looking for fast cash, and smiles and hospitability and a reasonable amount of cash will send them on their way without violence. I used to drive trucks through the Mideast, and passed through Afghan towns where kids and adults came armed with Kalasnikovs, to the cars to ask for cigarettes and cash, we always carried a few cartons, and a roll of 1 dollar bills to get through unharmed, and never had a problem. Other drivers insisted on their "Right" and got shot up beaten and manhandled as a result. Catch my drift ????? We in the west are SO rich Norm. We are the envy of the 3 world, and have used them for decades, to fuel our society. Not me, not you, but our governments our civilization. They want what we have, because in a way we took it from them. That's a fact. Though I know that the world is rapidly turning more and more violent, and the threat of Pirates is very real, my advice is still to avoid taking part in this escalation, and instead, to speak softly, make friends, have that roll of 10 (or even 100 dollar bills handy (inflation :-) ) a couple of extra goodies, tools reels rods whatever, and if you are hailed and overpowered, by gun toting pirates, let them know you are merely trying to see their country, learn about their culture, and are ready to share what you have. You might say that I'm a dreamer, but I am not the only one.......remember the song. I do not claim that this is the only way to go, it is just my advice........that's how I myself handle life in general, and it has been a success so far. I have lived among the Taliban in Mazar Y Sharif and Kabul. Muslims in Karachi and a few militants in south Philippines and I am still here to tell the story. It worked for me. Thanks for your reply to my mail and to all the others who replied as well Regards John SV Free Spirit Presently in Miami PS If you want to talk more maybe I will take a trip to St Augustine,:-) I always wanted to see Bandersnatch, its my wife's dreamboat, she is fully convinced you are the kind "God" of all liveaboard handymen :-) greetings to your wife as well.
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