Subject:
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Re: What's actually the task of the moderators on BrickShelf?
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.off-topic.debate
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Date:
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Fri, 27 Aug 2004 13:56:56 GMT
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Viewed:
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1231 times
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Hello!
> I think people do things for different reasons, and rather than judge people
> based on our own worst fears and worries, we should try to find the truth
> and form our opinions from that point on.
That's an optimistic view on people's behaviour. I wished I was that optimistic
(no sarcasm intended).
However, everybody including me should always be aware of what impression one's
particular behaviour, fashion or whatever makes on other people. In my not
always humble opinion it's a question of reason, not a question of human rights.
Reality and ideals are two pairs of shoes. So if somebody chooses to like Nazi
memorabilia he has the right to do so and everybody should be assuming the best
and not be assuming any malicious tendencies behind this hobby. That's the
ideal.
Reality wants it that many people who are fascinated by Nazi memorabilia are
also fascinated by the Nazi-cult and not in the depracative way. It is a matter
of fact that people who decorate their living room with swastika flags are
neo-nazis. At least 99% of them. (As for the remaining 1% see below.)
Maybe that's different in the US and in Germany since you can look at the Nazi
issue from a distance while we had the Nazi issue in our country. I wonder if
somebody who flew from the Nazis and immigrated to the US has the same
optimistic view upon this like you have. (I was about to say "in Germany live
many people who suffered from the Nazis so those people's experienve tells them
that men in SS coats are evil." until I realised that there are also many
victims of the National Socialism living in the US.)
What I want to say is: If you are doing something that _possibly_ will be looked
upon as provacative/bad/evil/whatever you must not be astonished when it
_really_ will be looked upon as bad and evil. At least you must be aware of
accordant reactions, regardless of those reactions being qualified or not. If
you belong to the 1% that has swastika flags only for the sheer aesthetic's sake
you must not be surprised if people look upon you as a Nazi. Who wants to be
provocative must be able to stand the reaction. ("you" not meaning you (Neb
Okla) of course.)
> The problem with Kyoto is that it imposes crippling economic setbacks to the
> US while offering minimal benefit. I wouldn't support it either, not
> because I'm arrogant and think that the US should be allowed to pollute as
> much as it wants - but instead because it's a raw deal with no measurable
> benefit.
That's something that I think is the worst plague of our times: Everything is
evaluated only by its economic value. Environmental protection, though, should
be above economics. Taking only the economic benefits in consideration is quite
short-sighted.
Maybe the Kyoto Protocol is not exactly brilliant. It's at least _something_.
And, like above, ripping it does have impact on how the world is looking upon
you (the US in this case). Even if not signing the protocol was done after good
thinking and with good reason the impression on the world was: America is
arrogant.
> > "french fries" to "freedom fries"
> The only place I saw that was on the news. And most thought it was a silly
> waste of time.
Most likely this silly waste of time was noticed outside the US more than
within. :-)
> Capitalism seems ultimately to have been one of the best weapons against
> communism. Even if it worked only once, it brought an end to the cold war.
> People seem to prefer plenty to scarcity. Go figure.
True. Unfortunatelly it started other conflicts. Well, not started, but it's
quite counterproductive in the Near East. Fighting communism is not the same as
fighting religious fanatism. Communists may be corruptible by prosperity,
religious fanatists are not. That's what somebody in Washington still doesn't
understand.
Bye
Jojo
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