Santiago >I hope you don't mind my interjection on the subject of government intrusion
I don't mind you interjecting on any subject, in fact, I would welcome your participation.
>As long as you are commenting on the USA from a standpoint of your democracy and ours and not because you are Mohabbi Islam or radical Christian extremist, I personally welcome your comments
That's a hard one. Yes, we have a "democracy" in SA --- but that's on paper and still in theory. As far as the ANC government is concerned there will not be "equality", and therefore in my opinion true democracy, until the position which the whites hold in the society has been considerably reduced and that of the blacks raised. Nonetheless, because I have gone through what is effectively a revolution, although a largely bloodless one, I do feel in a certain position to pronounce on particular, topical issues eg the Israeli/Palestinian polemic.
I am certainly not religious, in fact, I consider organised religion to be one of the worst things man invented for himself. Indeed, I believe that more evil deeds have been enacted in the name of God than for any other reason. However, and this might sound contradictory, I see nothing wrong in the individual having a relationship with his own "God", even if that is merely his subconscious or his imagination. It is when belief becomes the basis for organized political activity and violence that I am particularly frightened and in this regard I fear Muslim fundamentalists, Christian fundamentalists and Jewish fundamentalists equally.
>We are a multicultural country, and many pockets of ARabs, Chinese, Mexican, Russian, Asian, East Indian and what have you exist and we are far from the country that went into WW2 by putting all Japanese into camps to protect ourselves
Yes, that is perfectly true, just like SA, but, perhaps unfortunately, the values of the individuals do not change as quickly as the laws can be enacted. Hence, traditional ideas still remain very much in force, even though people may not be outspoken about them. In SA, for example, I find more anti-black racism today, however tacit or covert, than in the old days of apartheid. Possibly the reason is that the whites feel threatened and, in fact, they are. President Mbeki, unlike Mandela, actually speaks with clear resentment about two societies --- one rich and white and the other poor and black. This is hardly a basis for a society with a single mind-set.
>With the Republicans in power we will see a partial return that I believe will center us from the far left moving to the moderate right
Yes, the far-left has become very unpopular. This new "war against terrorism", whether a ploy of the Republicans or something real, has actually stymied the Democrats who clearly have lost their way and seem to be wandering, like lost sheep, towards the Republicans. In fact, "Chief Rabbi" and Vice-President-elect Lieberman seems to enjoy nothing more than appearing at photo-opportunities embracing George Bush and praising his policies.
>for certain this is no longer whites only and we must somehow learn to live with other Americans with ethnic backgrounds
If you don't mind me saying so, I believe the problem is not only local, in the US itself, but the basis for the hostility which the US shows to certain other nations, particularly the Moslem ones. In this regard, I see the US, because of its strong pro-Israeli lobby in government and strong pro-Israeli position, internationally, has alienated itself from all of Islam, and not just the so-called "terrorists". At one time the US was seen as an "honest broker", capable of mediation in the Mid-East conflict, but that is no more. Today, the US has effectively declared war on Islam, as Israel has, and this, in turn, will affect relations with Muslims in the US, itself, who clearly, in time, are likely to be treated like the Japanese were during WW2.
>Acceptance has to come from both sides of the coin.
IMO, before that can happen a lot more water has to flow under the bridge. |
