I wonder how much it cost our politicians to: Recover the boxes and ship them back out and back in again? Walk them in a circle so each box goes past the camera multiple times? Ship lots of empty boxes with "USA" on the side? My point is that we will never know if our donation actually make it to that place. It is just too easy to separate a... donor... from his money. Or separate the money from the cause. http://www.crimes-of-persuasion.com/Crimes/Telemarketing/Outbound/Minor/dona tions.htm Or turn the people in what ever direction you like: "Naturally, the common people don't want war, but after all, it is the leaders of a country who determine the policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag people along, whether it is democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. This is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in every country" -- Hermann Goering, Hitlers Reich-Marshal at Nuremburg after WWII. (This is true: check snopes: http://www.snopes.com/quotes/goering.htm ) Irrespective of the cause of the conflict, it has been kept alive not only to benefit each countries leaders, but also by perceived differences between the peoples. If you want to do something to help, which costs nothing (in terms of money) all you need to do is go to work tomorrow wearing a turban or other traditional garb from your favorite Islamic country. Tell everyone that you wanted to find out what it felt like. Describe the advantages of dressing that way. Offer to let them try it on. This will reduce the fear of the unknown as bred by visual differences. Or try doing your part for peace by learning about other religious (not on this list please ) Has ANY white bread American attended a service at a local Mosque? Buddhist temple? Etc... Or the other way around? Has any Islamic believer had the courage to attend "Faith Baptist" down the street? And how were these wanderers received? Are you scared of what your friends might think? Are you scared that you might end up a convert? Another example: I support Gay Rights. An organization I used to belong to was trying to learn to accept and live with GBLTs (Gay, Bi, Lesbian, and Transsexual) and one of the suggestions was that we pair up with friends of the same sex and go out to social functions, introducing each other as our "partner" (not a lie since we were partnered for this exercise) and just let people assume what they would. Now THAT was scary. I won't go into the details, but seeing things from the other persons point of view can be a REAL eye opener. I can't begin to tell you how strongly I want to "let slip" with some proof that I'm straight at this point in this post... Kind of sad really, after all these years. Anyway, be safe, watch out: Don't stand in anyone else's shoes, the change in perspective might eventually make you an outcast. Better to be solid in your convictions that whatever your group is doing is the exact right thing. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/6302800560 --- James. > -----Original Message----- > From: piclist-bounces@mit.edu > [mailto:piclist-bounces@mit.edu] On Behalf Of John Ferrell > Sent: 2005 Jan 15, Sat 07:58 > To: Microcontroller discussion list - Public. > Subject: Re: [OT] Perspectives on the Earthquake > > Us folks back home need to know that our politicians are > doing what they say they are doing. I doubt that most of the > people know what the labels say. > > I think that the plan to get the US out of there by March is > best for all. > We Christians should not take advantage of the situation to > undermine their religon and culture. > > I believe the conflict started when King David sent Hagar & > son out of his life. (Unthinkable in my view) That was well > ahead of the Muslim religon. > > John Ferrell > http://DixieNC.US > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Russell McMahon" > To: "Microcontroller discussion list - Public." > Sent: Friday, January 14, 2005 6:50 PM > Subject: Re: [OT] Perspectives on the Earthquake > > > >>> > I notice that the bags of aid being handled by (US) > >>> troops now have very large USA labels on them. > > > -- > http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive > View/change your membership options at > http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist > -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist