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Politics : Formerly About Applied Materials -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Sun Tzu who wrote (53236)	9/26/2001 5:22:22 PM
From: Fred Levine	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 70976

This is an email from a friend in London that, altho I disagree with much of it, is indicative of how many perceive the US. The friend has a PHD in both philosophy and psychology and is president of the Britsh Psychology Historical Society or something like that; .>>Dear Fred, Thanks for this - relieved that all your folks are okay. Paul, our vet friend in West Hempstead saw the whole thing from his office - sent us a strangely moving laconic message the following day. I think there will be a major split in Islam itself now, only a small minority of UK muslims are anything but distressed and this surely goes for african american muslims and many others outside the middle east/pakistan region. Since there was a mosque on the 2nd (?) floor of one of the towers it could even be construed as an attack on Islam! Feelings over here among us softy lefties centre on concerns about falling into precisely the trap Bin Laden has set and causing a major conflict by excessive and insensitive military action. The ironies you mention are not lost on us either! I think what many Americans cannot quite grasp is the distinction we make between (a) our personal american friends and contacts whom we love, the ideals of freedom, justice, liberty etc which we endorse and (b) the utter ruthlessness of much US foreign policy and economic power over the last half century - I mean the CIA was overthrowing elected governments, assassinating and terrorising its way round the world throughout the Cold War creating more enemies than friends (Chile, Nicaragua, Indonesia.... you know the list). It is the latter which causes the hate. American politicians often sound as if think they are the goodies by definition instead of the same mixture of good and evil as the rest of us. Well, it was a really atrocious act - how far it will really change the world as we know it (as opposed to NY as we know it) is surely not yet entirely clear. Is it a political issue or a psychological one? And where does psychopathology turn into politics? I don't think many of us lefties are indulging in a compassion strike, in any case it was, as is rightly being said, not just an attack on America but people from 60 different nationalities. What we are perhaps wrily wanting to say without upsetting anyone or sounding patronising is 'welcome to the real world, now we feel you're one of us'. My sense is that for the first time I can ever remember Americans really are united - perhaps, again ironically, it will help heal the longstanding ethnic etc. divisions for good. Pat Robertson and the loony right Christians have surely blown it by blaming gays and lesbians! Farrakhan wisely seems to be keeping his trap shut. Keep me updated on your readings of the situation. Hope the grief counselling does not prove too unbearable. Luv to Maralyn. Love, Shalom<< fred

To: Sun Tzu who wrote (53236)	9/26/2001 5:24:18 PM
From: mitch-c	Respond to of 70976

In my case, a cell phone runs a strong risk of abuse by coworkers. I don't work 24/7, yet that's not a consideration for folks stumped by a computer problem who seek immediate gratification. Further, no cell companies seem to want to drop below the $40/month price point, or use unexpiring prepaid minutes. Too rich for me. When they do, I'll think about replacing my hardwired line. - Mitch

To: Sun Tzu who wrote (53236)	9/27/2001 2:40:18 AM
From: Sam Citron	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 70976

Make it 8 w/o cell phone. Wireless for me now means 802.11 for my DSL line so I can roam around the house with the laptop. It used to mean a ham radio rig that let me reach anywhere in the world w/o monthly fees (as long as the sunspots were cooperating).

To: Sun Tzu who wrote (53236)	9/27/2001 1:26:52 PM
From: gugie	Read Replies (4) \| Respond to of 70976

I have a cell phone-my wife too. We only turn it on when we call out, or if we're expecting a call. I also have a Taiwan cell phone-which was put to great use when I was stuck in Taiwan a few weeks ago (cancelled flights due to WTC + typhoon). It kept me in contact with my wife, who was quite upset with me being away during a crisis. So quit bragging about not having a cell phone-buy one for the security, only turn it on when you want to call if you want, and support this damn industry!