[Linux4christians] OT: Thatcher quote

[Legatus]

On Sun, Feb 15, 2009 at 11:37, Sergio Belkin <sebelk at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Legatus,
<snipped most of message>
> Believe me that in South america, Africa, Asia, etc, we know more of
> USA and UK culture and history that last mentioned do about the rest
> of the world :-)
<snipped rest of message>

This statement states the sentiment that I was answering. There is an
unstated arrogance in this statement, or perhaps an assumed naiveté of
those of us in the U.S.A. that I have to throw out. Just because you
presume to know something about a culture, does not mean that you do.
I observe other cultures, and enjoy or dislike them based upon those
observations. Those observations are of course tainted by the culture
that I was raised in. I apply cultural values to actions that may not
be there, and then proceed to judge those actions based upon my
cultural bias. Of course all foreign nationals accept that I as an
American do this, but tend to discount that they do the very same
thing. When travelling in Mexico, and Eastern Europe I ran into this
all of the time. They believed that because they saw our news casts or
our movies and television shows,or have been to NY, Chicago, DC, or
LA, they somehow had a better window into our culture. What I see in
newspapers, television, or entertainment hardly represents the culture
that I live in. I only know this because I was raised in this culture,
and I live in this culture as a member of this culture. By knowing
people in other countries I have visited, I gained insight into their
cultures, but even living there for the rest of my life would not make
me a part of their culture, I would always be just along for the ride.
 You too may have a better view into the culture of the U.S.A if you
have been to Kansas City, Dubuque, Dallas, Denver, Sioux City, Boise,
Springfield (cover pretty much every state with that one), Auburn,
Asheville, and a few others. Our country is very diverse and large. It
would be presumptuous of me to claim to understand China after
watching the Olympics or even visiting Beijing for a year, so is it
presumptuous for the world to claim to understand the U.S.A. and not
know that when they say Kansas City is a cow town, does not mean it is
a rural by any stretch of the imagination.

 Just as you mentioned not caring for Reagan, nor do I care for any
leader who is a socialist or something similiar. I disagree with the
very idea that it is governments responsibility to level the playing
field. I believe that charity is best done by the individual or by a
group of individuals(e.g. a church) because it is personal, and
provides a human contact government will never be able to achieve. I
believe economies of  scale may save money, but are often the tool of
oppression used by governments to control individuals rights at the
price of freedom. I believe that government doing the Biblically
mandated work of the individual and the Church robs us of the
opportunity to do Gods work and share the gospel. Government is best
at refereeing internal activities to ensure fairness not equity, and
proving defence from foreign hostiles.  There are other roles, but its
citizens should be very cautious in seeking the governments actions in
all other things. As an U.S. American the number one thing government
should do is defend my freedoms from threats both internal and abroad.

I have no room for accepting that government is the great equalizer.
I don't believe that other types of governments shouldn't exist, just
that I don't want any part of them. I don't believe that other types
of governments don't provide something valuable to its citizenry, but
the cost is too high for me. Anyone can disagree with, but when they
are talking about my country, then I will fight back. As for the
rather long list of countries I would not choose to live in because
they are far too willing to compromise freedoms, I would include the
U.K. on that list.  Freedom is hard and dangerous, not everyone has
the stomach for it. I understand this, but it doesn't mean its not
worth fighting for.

-- 
JD Runyan


Joan Rivers  - "Never floss with a stranger."