"If Iraqis see their leader as anything other than evil,
they are, well, wrong."
Damn, you are so parochial.
Belief in moral absolutes doesn't mean that you have to be parochial.
Tim, your moral absolutes are based on this culture, on American values and standards, on Christian dogma etc. In some instances, the Iraqis have a different set of values, standards and yes, moral absolutes then we do. That's why they may define evil has something very different from what we do.........or they may see bin Laden as a hero while we see him as the devil incarnate. Perspective is extremely important when placing values.
That's why I called Ray parochial. He believes that because he's American and sees things in a certain way, then it has to be right and that everyone in the world must fall in line. That's why cultures clash and there are so many wars. Americans are often most guilty of this kind of egocentricism. We think our power and richness validates our views and makes them right. And in part, it does.......in many ways we run on a good track. That coupled with immense resources and some good luck has made what we are today......a superpower. But its real wrong to assume that our way is the only way and that we have it all knocked 'cause we don't. We have had our dark periods and our mishaps just like any other nation. And we still fukk up even today. And our values and moral absolutes are right for us and maybe for Europe and for Israel. But they may not be right for Arabs, for Africans, for S.E. Asians.
ted |
