|
Quite right, ThreeEyesOni. I think we're on the same page. Another factor is not simply that people bear grudges, but that the colonial creation of borders and countries lumped various tribal peoples together where before they were separate. But however much it's now unacceptable to "kick the natives out," I think we still see a very strong reluctance to accept responsibility for past mistakes/crimes/etc. A good example is Sept. 11. If a public figure dares to suggest that American foreign policy is fostering hatred of the US - enough to push people to terrorism - said figure is vilified as a *gasp* liberal and *double gasp* traitor. Anything that contradicts the view that the US government is anything other than a benign force in the world is silenced. Similarly, the entire history of the Middle East is glossed over because none of the Western powers truly want to own up to their role in creating today's mess.
AngelikDemonik: I hope your family wasn't hurt by the bombing. How are things in Lebanon now?
|