After three days of reading the many posts here at LA-IMC, and experiencing the gamut of emotions, thoughts, and opinions put forth by its publishers, I am persuaded now to join in and express my view point on the discussed topics. Before doing so, I feel it necessary to open a new topic in hopes of interjecting an all to often overlooked fact. This simple albeit complex fact encompasses the human condition, and we all suffer from it in different degrees of severity. The fact of which I speak is "The Human Brain and it's Ability To Justify any Thought or Action". I imagine many of you are looking outside yourself at the thoughts and actions of others, and asking yourself how do “They” do it. The answer will elude you until you ask from the opposite direction. How do “I” do it, is the key to unraveling the mystery behind diverse opinion in the process of human thought. Honest self examination, for many is a huge stumbling block that has most of the human race trapped in an invisible prison. I have watched many of you sling mud back and forth at each other, each convinced that they are absolutely right, and that the other is absolutely wrong. In most cases, escalating to the point that all intellect gets diluted in the utter pomposity. Believe me, I am not immune to this condition. I am all to familiar with the frustration that comes with sharing a viewpoint, only to have Mr. or Mrs Know It All come and lambaste me for being born with shit for brains! :-) After so long of trying to deal with people on an intellectual level and getting nowhere, it’s easy to toss in the towel and hop aboard the insult wagon. However, we all know that this never gains a thing and always fortifies the division none truly seek . The fact remains that “United We Stand, Divided We Fall”. An old cliche given far too little merit. Consider the nations. The U.S.A. is by far one of the youngest countries on the planet. Yet we have the oldest legislative document by which a country is governed. Why? Because it was written and signed by men who had proven themselves to be servants to GOD and Man. They formed a three fold govt that by its very nature could hold the separate branches in check. They gave people power over govt, not govt over people. The document proclaimed that all men were created equal. Not perfect by any means (as long as men are involved in the affairs of men nothing will be) but sound enough in principle to serve her well into the present day. The people are able to stay united for the most part under such a document. The European Community has realised that they are much stronger united than separate. We have many who believe that no good can come from govt. On the opposite end of the spectrum many follow govt blindly, believing that Old Glory will make everything ok. Others are aware of the good and bad and are willing “Play The Game” as it is presented to them. Others still, choose to not participate at all in world opinion for a variety of reasons. All are right, and all are wrong to certain degree. We owe each other the dignity and respect to ask why we feel the way we do about our opinions in life. And in turn the same dignity and respect in our answers. Meaning, make your answers valid, based on real life experience and observation. And respect yourself enough to investigate things that fuel your opinions. Remember that along the way you will find evidence of wrong doing. But not all are guilty of it. Do not blame the wrongs done by others where it does not belong. The present day German is not to blame for the Holocaust. The present day American did not enslave the African American. The present day Jew did not crucify Jesus. Get real. We had better realise there are many who thrive off of our bickering amongst ourselves and use the chaff of our infighting to burn us all........

>>We had better realise there are many who thrive off of our bickering amongst ourselves and use the chaff of our infighting to burn us all........

but wait--wouldn't this entail having to make another division between US and THEM?

this is what stumps me. all this stuff is a big stupid illusion, and everybody plays a role. all this stuff about dividing ourselves up and being separate from each other and our environments is all crap, and it's the basic illusion that's driven our world and chances of survival right into the ground. but so then what? do we divide things up between those who realize the illusion and those who don't? wouldn't that still be doing the same thing? there seems to be no way out of this trap we've created for ourselves. trying to get out of the trap becomes a trap in itself. we're stuck.

there's no escaping this way of thinking, of dividing everything up and separating your self from the world. we just have to let it run its course now, even if it means extinction in the end. along the way of course that doesn't mean we just lie back and take it. if we have to play some role, if all living is just a role and illusion, then why not choose a fun, fulfilling, empowering role that brings us as much happiness and peace as possible? fundamentally, there may be no cosmic difference in spending an afternoon at the mall, or spending it on the streets marching for peace, or spending it in bed making love with someone you love. but some activities will bring certain kinds of fulfillment and satisfactions and happiness, no? while others will leave you feeling empty and deflated and weakened. so play the role that makes you feel good--truly good, not temporary fix addictive good.

shut your fucking hole ghandi. were having fun duking it out.

...it's FUN to insult, lambast, ridicule, lampoon, deride, humour, deceive,etc...those you disagree with. No?

i venture: it's probly extremely difficult to maintain a total saintly Control of oneself. And may produce almost-zero results.---corollary: don't impose standards on others.---