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Politics : Sharks in the Septic Tank -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: TimF who wrote (12227)	4/23/2001 6:50:02 PM
From: The Philosopher	Respond to of 82486

On political issues like taxation or abortion or drug laws I don't see how you could have a real mediation process, so I don't spend any time trying to start one. You can have a real mediation process (no guarantee of success, of course, but guarantee of a process) over anything, if the parties are genuinely willing to try. And indeed, the harder the issues the more important mediation is. It may not be true that to understand all is to forgive all. But to understand all is very often to realize that the other side is not evil, or wicked, but is a good person with a different perspective and different needs. And that what looks like an insurmountable and irresolvable conflict can really yield to some quite creative solutions. The Quaker UN office has for decades been bringing world leaders together quietly and inconspicuously to talk about the most challenging issues. Part of their success is that usually nobody outside the process is even aware it is happening, and they intentionally minimize publicity, so there is no need for posturing, false position taking, etc. They have been quite successful in many areas in defusing tensions and promoting understanding. But this approach to life is almost anathma to the prevailing American social culture. To, IMO, our significant detriment.