tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5123631695572626256.post6116397953057083684..comments2024-03-28T22:51:32.258+00:00Comments on Shadows & Light: NeoconSteve Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11684120060438252945noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5123631695572626256.post-48812536397634856312008-01-13T13:11:00.000+00:002008-01-13T13:11:00.000+00:00I, too am a pacifist. I'm very lucky to live at th...I, too am a pacifist. I'm very lucky to live at the top of the American cultural food chain (not the very top). Up here in the realm of the well educated and financially viable, violence is a rare thing. But just a few blocks away from my swanky neighborhood, violence, physical conflict, is an everyday event.<br><br>Can't imagine what it's like to grow up in Iran (or any of a zillion other places). My idea of what it means to negotiate, or even that it's possible to negotiate, comes from all of my experiences. Maybe it's not possible for many folks. <br><br>But no matter what, even if negotiation is impossible, we shouldn't go on the attack first - there's no excuse for that!<br><br>Thanks, dah-link, for making me think - and on a Sunday! Wow!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5123631695572626256.post-15145702205869967372008-01-13T16:32:00.000+00:002008-01-13T16:32:00.000+00:00I commend you for even going to see a neoconservat...I commend you for even going to see a neoconservative author - I simply cannot do such things - I become too angry and it disturbs my peace of mind. Not very Zen, I know...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5123631695572626256.post-47341260285203413892008-01-13T17:28:00.000+00:002008-01-13T17:28:00.000+00:00I try not to let people's political positions both...I try not to let people's political positions bother me. Whether they are left or right, I don't need to be agitated. <br><br>I don't think that all people are open to negotiation, though. Sometimes people hold irrational world views and common ground is nonexistent. Violence and military action should be an option, but the very last option.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5123631695572626256.post-30851619690707760342008-01-13T19:31:00.000+00:002008-01-13T19:31:00.000+00:00In the movie "The Lemon Drop Kid" Bob Hope negotia...In the movie "The Lemon Drop Kid" Bob Hope negotiated with mobsters who wanted to do him bodily harm--as a kid, I always thought his humor disarmed them on some level--they were having a conversation, anyway--keeping those lines of communication open and I learned from that movie that you can always negotiate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5123631695572626256.post-23761629468831675242008-01-13T23:50:00.000+00:002008-01-13T23:50:00.000+00:00I think Mahatma Ghandi would agree with you and th...I think Mahatma Ghandi would agree with you and the Dalai Lama. Good company really.<br><br>Came here from Lettuce Eating.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5123631695572626256.post-34479406641073380642008-01-13T23:55:00.000+00:002008-01-13T23:55:00.000+00:00I agree with everything you have said. It good tha...I agree with everything you have said. It good that you took time to get the other side of the story. I still feel that these people are out for a fight with Iran come what may.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5123631695572626256.post-43532347485030287222008-01-14T00:43:00.000+00:002008-01-14T00:43:00.000+00:00I love the photo--nice an chaotic, it makes no sen...I love the photo--nice an chaotic, it makes no sense but you can't stop wondering... <br><br>I love graffitiAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5123631695572626256.post-13660035575201428532008-01-14T10:57:00.000+00:002008-01-14T10:57:00.000+00:00Reya: You bring up a very good point -- that my no...Reya: You bring up a very good point -- that my nonviolent outlook is partly the result of relative privelege. I definitely need to acknowledge that. Thanks!<br><br>Also, I'm aware that many people were unwillingly drawn into violent confrontations over the years so that I can enjoy this worldview, and to them I am grateful. I hope that in our modern world of better communication, resources and diplomatic processes and institutions, we're in a better position to avoid such conflicts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com