[Linux4christians] OT: Thatcher quote

[Sergio Belkin]

2009/2/15 Legatus <lists at runyanrants.net>:
> 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.

I agree with you. But believe me, I (and many people outside of USA)
know something more that what it can be watched on TV.


But of course you know a lot of internal details of USA that only can
be known living there. Juneau is different that Miami, isn't it?

By the way is fair to acknowledge that not all from arab countries are
terrorists :)



>
>  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.


In many aspects I agree with you about of policy. Also, you surely
know that outside of USA there is a greate hope about Obama. It's
interesting to read different opinions about it from people living in
USA.

But inner freedom should be along with respect self-determination of
other countries.  I don't want (and believe me, many people outside of
America) an unilateral worldwide policeman notwithstanding I (and
believe me again, many outside of America) hate different kinds of
terrorism.



> 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.

That's true.

>
> --
> JD Runyan
>
>
> Joan Rivers  - "Never floss with a stranger."



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Sergio Belkin -