At 12:33 PM -0700 4/29/06, Paul Novitski wrote:
At 10:46 AM 4/29/2006, tedd wrote:
...
"I have found" it is simply a waste of my time to try to find
profitable common ground. They are concerned with one thing, and
one thing only, and that is how cheap can they get it -- and they
seldom have a clue as to what "it" is -- but, contrary to their
lip-service, it certainly isn't quality.
...
Whoa! "They" "they" "they"... Tedd, there are stupid, venal people
everywhere in the world, and smart and honorable ones besides.
Speaking from personal experience I know that there are cultural
divides so wide that what's honorable on one side appears
dishonorable from the other; truth appears as lies; respect appears
as disrespect; discretion as conspiracy; elegance as boorishness.
To judge individuals despite these fundamental differences and then
to paint an entire nation of people based on one's experiences with
a few seems lacking in sense, respect, rationality, and honor
(speaking from this side of your and my cultural divide!). You're
free to form your own prejudices based on your experiences, of
course, but I'm astonished that you would voice them publicly. I'm
embarrassed by your comments.
Paul
Paul and Dave:
Do not confuse prejudices with racialism or think that an "open mind"
also has blinders to obvious differences because neither are true.
Paul, you have nothing to be embarrassed about -- you didn't voice my
opinion. Unless you think I represent your group, which I certainly
do not, nor do you mine.
The "they" remark was taken out of context -- I used the term for
Indian companies and for the group that I dealt with who wasted
several million dollars to save a few thousand in an oil deal -- no
matter how you cut that, that was stupid!
My experiences are simply seeds that were planted and now have come
to harvest. Who's responsible for that?
There's nothing wrong with prejudices, we all have them, and form
them, everyday -- all races, all creeds and all nationalities. This
is not a one-sided phenomena, and in fact, it is an instinct of
survival.
It is in the application of prejudices that good and evil may come.
But, to not speak of prejudices publicly because of the current
"political correctness" environment is certainly not doing anything
to lessen problems, is it? Or is it one of those "We can think it,
but let's not speak publicly about it." things, which are more
poisonous than to what you elude Dave.
If I am wrong, then show me. I'm a reasonable person who is slow to
judge -- but my life experiences have led me to what I now believe is
true. However, I am willing to change my beliefs if I have reason to
do so. Give me reason.
I know that I am not alone in my experiences, and as such, speaking
outright may cause others to better understand my position, which is
shared by many. After all, isn't awareness of a problem one of the
steps in correcting it?
This current climate is certainly one of "We should understand other
cultures." but that sword cuts both ways. If one culture wants us to
understand them, then isn't the reverse true as well?
It is in a manner of open communication I speak my mind and not
behind the backs of others.
If you believe that I do not understand the adverse and unjust
effects of false prejudices, then walk a mile in my shoes -- for
being disabled, I can't.
This topic has wandered far off the main theme of this list and this
will be my last post to this thread. If I have offended anyone
personally, please accept my most sincere apology -- that was not my
intent.
tedd
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