This whole freedom of speech/don't offend people dichotomy is touchy. "think about how other people might interpret our actions" can be a big responsibility depending on the situation. When there were the Danish cartoons Muslims got REALLY upset, but do cartoons that are antisemitic and Jews aren't going to riot, they will just protest and call for understanding, etc. So something that would be totally offensive to one group may not be to another group. You make a good point--just because we have freedom of speech here doesn't mean we should take full advantage of it. The Golden Rule rings true in this situation probably more than any other--do not unto others, etc. It's a tough call, though, sometimes, because if you are upset about something or someone then you want to criticize it hoping it/they will improve. I like the way you worded this because you didn't say "how other people might feel". If you insult Bush he might not be happy about it but he won't interpret it as unpatriotic or equivalent to assassination or whatever. I really think if more people followed this simple thought process the world would be better off. Although if we are unfamiliar with a group's culture we might not actually KNOW how they will interpret our actions. Sometimes you have to play it by ear.
--- In [email protected], "Daria Akers" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I had heard the buzz about the Pope saying something that made Muslim > upset but I hadn't read what it was. Probably not the smarted thing he > has done all year.... > While I would love to walk in the Vatican gardens again (They are > astounding and the mosaics are wonderful) it would be a cold day in > hell before any Pope would look to me for guidance. > Besides I sometimes accidentally piss people off too... > Daria > > > Not the humor part, but the appropriateness part. Especially the part > > where you said "if we would all take a second and think about how > > other people might interpret our actions." The Pope would do well to > > follow that advice. Daria's next career move--relocating to the > > Vatican to advise the Pope. Nice work if you can get it. Just > > thinking about the absurdity of that scenario makes me laugh. > Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/weingartenchatters/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/weingartenchatters/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
