Howdy, > Yea Tony it's very ugly.<
No, it WAS very ugly. Being about 50% Native American I'd like to ring in on this: "I'm not proud of this horrible American history that never gets taught in schools, and so i don't think we should be so quick to condemn other nations...we were as brutal as most dictators 150 years ago." A lot of "civilizing" has occurred over the short history of the USA. Ethnocentric views might be better understood within the context of history "when" it happened. Discrimination does still exist, even though most of us understand how wrong it is. As each generation learns through reviewing the mistakes made by their ancestors and making a personal choice not to repeat them, we evolve as a society. Yet a minority of people will continue to pass on bias based on race, religion, sex, or what side of the tracks one was born on. When we look back on our short history, we should recognize how far we have come in such a short time. (And yes we still have a way to go) Do I harbor hate for my white ancestors for their ignorance? If I would, I'd have to hate myself. What is often forgotten is how many tribes fought each other for territorial rights. Sometimes wiping out a whole tribe in the process. Yet the "civilized nations" overcame this and formed a system that our present day United States is partialy based on. Am I defending butchers like Custer? No. His attrocities were not even acceptable to most people living in his time period. He got what he deserved. My point is that our ancestors are not to be looked down upon for what was the moral standards of their "time". When one looks at Europes history during the last half century, their cultures were lagging behind our's in many ways. Now it is time to "modernize" the social culture of the "mid-east". To not do so would be a reflection of our greed and or lack of modern morals. Why? Because we have the ability to educate them out of the ignorance we once suffered from. Or should we turn our backs as they stone women for nothing more than suspicion of Adultry, use REAL torture to subdue the masses, and murder people because of the name they call the Creator? Well 9/11 changed that choice. It is now a matter of survival. Truth is, Terrorists don't really care who they kill and don't need a reason for their actions. For NOW, they target the perceived "infidels" (which for those who don't know, means ANYONE not of Islam, but will eventually lead to their sect of Islam) that would be the world outside of the mid-east & Israel. Because the world has become a smaller place, they can threaten anywhere. We either destroy them or they will destroy us. As you have probably noticed, they don't honor their word in negotiations, so thanks to my Native ancestors, I know better than to attempt any treaty with them. We can learn from our mistakes. Stuntman
