[PRCo] Re: Clarifying A Couple of Off Topic Things

[James B. Holland]

Nicely stated, Ken, but believe most if not all understood your original 
post.

Not At All Aware of any open bashing one way or the other  --  caught me 
by surprize.       Have definitely seen anti-American comments on some 
lists but it is reasonably low key and these comments are to be 
expected.       Probably nowhere near as much as the list you mentioned  
--  seemed to be some real ingrown problems on that list constantly.

Have a vivid memory of the way Canadian Forces swept into Iran in 1980s 
to rescue American hostages  --  instantaneous, swift, decisive, 
successful operation  --  HEROES  who toured the USA afterward and even 
passed through Bay Area.

Some of this seems to have ruffled our feathers and maybe all the airing 
is necessary to relieve some stress.       Trust that those who 
exchanged comments from the far corners of the continent are relieved 
and that we  ALL  are moving forward toward better days and posts.       
Each has contributions and perspectives that are unique, interesting, 
enlightening, and Needed!


Jim__Holland



ktjosephson at earthlink.net wrote:

>I wanted to clarify that I don't mind if anybody, Canadian, U.S. citizen,
>European, etc., criticizes our country's policies, domestic or foreign. The
>Good Lord knows we often deserve it. :-) And heck, it's a national pastime
>for us to ridicule our politicians and leaders.
>
>A few of the people on Richard's list were getting general, personal and
>aggressive about our culture's flaws, or dare I say, with their perception
>of them. Ironically, some of these people were writing that all Yanks
>generalize about other cultures. Think about that for a moment.
>
>As if I could stroll into the Oval Office and tell Mr. Bush I didn't like
>his policies nor actions and persuade him to change his course.
>
>I'm not crazy about how the war is being executed. But it sure as heck
>caused Iran, Libya and North Korea to take notice.
>
>No internal social activism is going to help anybody in the long run if we
>can't keep our own country (and society) safe from outside attacks. There
>were some pretty harsh restrictions on our personal freedoms during the
>second World War. That war was easier to define than today's situation.
>
>My beef with Seattle is that virtually every traction/transit fan from that
>city  I've  corresponded  with has been aloof and condescending with their
>replies. A notable except has been Don Galt, a kind and witty individual.
>
>My wife wanted to charter a vintage trackless trolley and spend my forty
>fifth birthday touring some of the system. This was to be a birthday present
>to me. Not much cooperation with trying to set that up. I suppose I'm too
>crass, uneducated and ill mannered to ride in their historic fleet.
>
>Have you noticed Fred the Third, Harold, Ed, etc. can disagree pointedly
>about various topics, but not get personal? Maybe some of us (me included)
>can learn from their example.
>
>K.
>
>P.S.- My wife will be making the funeral arrangements after Derrick kills
>me.
>