To: chowder who wrote (8143 ) 9/18/2001 1:52:24 PM From: cnyndwllr Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 23153 Dabum, Re: <<Whose education and what type of income?...Are we to educate them in Western ways? Isn't that what most Arab nations are against? And isn't focusing on income and an increasing wealth forbidden in their lands unless you are a member of royalty?...Me thinks we're the ones that need ed-gee-cating.>> That's a great post. It's wrong in its implications, however. First, I wasn't suggesting that the religious or governmental leaders would embrace education or income for their people. They might, but probably not. I also wasn't suggesting that we should attempt to intervene to "change" things. I was only suggesting that the internet and more free trade were forces that pushed in that direction. I believe that human nature everywhere tends to foster a desire in mothers and fathers that their children prosper. They too would like to see their children fed, clothed, educated, provided health care and allowed to experience life and the satisfactions that life can bring. It's true that other beliefs can trump those natural tendencies but they are there nonetheless. We all, no matter what our origion, will brave the lion to protect and nurture our families. You may be right with regard to what is, I'm referring to what can be. Information and education lead inexorably to "relativism" as a general rule. Look around the world at what has happened in those countries which are educated and have a higher standard of living and compare that to that country's past or other poorer country's present. It's not what should be or what a political or religious group may want, it is what happens however. Ed