Best of the Week
of Sept. 23, 2001
Best of Week
Archives
Here are the most intriguing cross-cultural exchanges
either begun or advanced during the week of Sept. 23, 2001, as
selected by Y? These postings, as well as "Best of the
Week" entries from previous weeks, also can be found by accessing
Y?'s database using the search form, or, in
the case of answers posted before April 24, 1999, in the
Original Archives (all questions
from the Original Archives have been entered into the new database as
well). In the Original Archives and the new database, you will find
questions that have received answers, as well as questions still
awaiting responses. You are encouraged to answer any questions
relevant to your demographic background, as well as to ask any
provocative question you desire. Answers posted are not necessarily
meant to represent the views of an entire demographic group, but can
provide a window into the insights of an individual from that
group.
First-time users should first make a quick stop at Y?'s
guidelines pages for asking and
answering questions.
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Question:
Will African Americans treat whites better than we treated
them, when they outnumber whites 2 to 1 and rule the United
States?
POSTED 9/26/2001
Luther H. R., Long Beach, MS, United States, Male, Mesg ID
925200112035
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Question:
The terrorist bombing in New York has caused great ripples in
the American spiritual consciousness. There has been a great call for
prayer to God for encouragement. I think that is a good thing. But if
we were to pursue this one more step, and ask the question, 'What
would Jesus do?', how would non-Christians react to the idea of
dropping food on Afghanistan rather than bombs? (1) Giving food and
shelter to those in Afghanistan would be according to Jesus' teaching
of turning the other cheek. (2) Afghanistan is a poor country and has
been struggling many years. Many will starve this winter. (3) The
people and government of Afghanistan were not responsible for the
bombing. (4) In the war on terrorism (like fighting a ghost), the
people of America will gain allies in Afghanistan by meeting their
needs. The bombing was a terrible event, but an eye for an eye will
not bring back anyone and will only cause further escalation. How
would Christian and non-Christian people feel about responding in
love, rather than reacting in hatred?
POSTED 9/25/2001
Ronald V., Edmonton, Alberta, NA, Canada, Male, Christian, Mesg
ID 9252001115039
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Question:
After a specific attack, does a terrorist recognize a victory?
What does a terrorist look for as an indication he/she/they have won?
Death? Short-term chaos? An unpopular return strike that diminishes
the responding country's reputation? Or, does it involve
confrontation between attacked groups? Perhaps between American
Caucasion citizens and American Arabs, for example?
POSTED 9/17/2001
Martin, Detroit, MI, United States, 28, Male, Christian,
White/Caucasian, Straight, Scientist, Over 4 Years of College, Upper
middle class, Mesg ID 916200181535
Responses:
I think that prior to defining a terrorist victory, one must
define what a terrorist attack is. Using a strategic point of view,
any attack that does not follow conventional means can be defined as
a terrorist attack. Therefore, the term already will have varied
meanings based on the context it is used in. The incidents of Sept.
11, 2001, while defined as a terrorist attack here, were considered
conventional warfare in the Middle East, while in the Middle East,
missile attacks and smart bombs would be considered terrorist. That
is because the term 'terrorist' implies one who strikes fear to the
point of terror, which typically results in paralysis.
Given that definition, victory would be when the object of attack
entered a state of paraylsis, which is exactly what the United States
did.
POSTED 9/18/2001
Tre, Chicago, IL, United States, 36, Male, Taoist, Black/African
American, Straight, Management consultant, Over 4 Years of College,
Upper middle class, Mesg ID 9182001125232
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Question:
With regard to the recent terrorist attacks in New York and
Washington, it seems that while war is still quite unlikely, it is
much more possible than before. Perhaps it is time to review the
drafting policies in place. Can anyone tell me why we should only
continue to draft males? I find the male-only drafting policy quite
sexist. There are already plenty of effective females in the
military, and don't forget a few years back when females were
practically begging to be let into certain military academies (like
the Citadel).
POSTED 9/13/2001
Eric, Chicago, IL, United States, 19, Male, Independent,
Straight, Student, Upper middle class, Mesg ID 912200112614
Responses:
You're finding that policy sexist because it is! I always figured
having equal rights meant having equal responsibilities. When I was
in college in the early '80s (shortly after registration started
again), my roommate and I tried to register for the draft. After
getting the card sent back three times with a note saying, 'You must
have made a mistake, you stated that you're a female,' we gave up.
I'd say it's high time we revamped the draft registration policies,
but you'd never get a politician to go for something that would be
highly unpopular. Sadly, I'm betting most of the people in this
country would be horrified at the thought of 'all those Mommies'
being sent to war. I guess we're not so equal after all.
POSTED 9/18/2001
Kay, Lansing, MI, United States, 38, Female, Straight, 4 Years of
College, Middle class, Mesg ID 918200175920
It does seem like an archaic practice hailing back to the days
when if your male population was wiped out in war, the few remaining
males could repopulate your country within one generation. Females
could only reproduce once every nine months. Males could reproduce,
well, as many times as they had the opportunity. If you are also
referring to women serving in a combat role, (infantry, armor, etc.)
I am ashamed to admit that we may not be ready yet. Can women serve
in these roles? Historically, yes. But still, I was always
embarrassed at the way my comrades behaved around female personnel
after or during a long FTX - Field Trainining Exercise. (Slightly off
subject note: I recall a study that proved that slightly overweight
women with high blood pressure could be better fighter pilots than
25-year-old healthy males because of their ability to handle
sustained and extreme 'g' loads. I cannot confirm or remember the
source.)
POSTED 9/18/2001
J.D., Arlington, TX, United States, 32, Male, Agnostic,
Scot/Welsh, Cherokee, Choctaw, Straight, manager, 2 Years of College,
Lower middle class, Mesg ID 918200191042
Even if they did draft women, we'd likely end up sitting in front
of a computer or fixing machinery. I really doubt that most women are
ready for combat. Can a 5'5", 120-lb. 23-year-old woman carry the
same amount of material as her male counterpart who is 6' even and
180? I don't think so. As a small woman (5'2", 105 lbs.), I'd prefer
to be regulated to a desk.
POSTED 9/19/2001
CC, Somewhere, NA, Canada, 22, Female, Asian, Student, 4 Years of
College, Upper middle class, Mesg ID 919200182359
How much you can carry is only important in a relatively small
number of combat positions. Almost everything is carried by vehicles
nowadays, even the tents for sleeping in the field. My drill
sargeants in boot camp were quite blunt in saying that they preferred
female recruits to male. They're better disciplined (far fewer macho
types with attitude problems), have better hygiene and are more
orderly. Many of the women in the service now ARE in combat positions
(such as nurses at evac hospitals); we just pretend they aren't.
Really, all the regulations do is act as a glass ceiling.
POSTED 9/24/2001
A.C.C., Phoenix, AZ, United States, 35, Male, Grad student,
ex-Army, Mesg ID 9202001121609
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Question:
Why do Western people, children and adults alike, show such
little respect for their parents? Don't some appreciate the time and
effort their parents have given them? I see children and teenagers
publicly yelling and swearing at their parents, and calling them
stupid in front of their peers. As for the adults, some consider
their parents a burden they must be rid of, removed from the family
home or put in a nursing home. Where is the thank-you for the nine
months of labor, and the dedication and commitment in raising someone
from a baby to a walking, talking, thinking adult?
POSTED 9/17/2001
Kate D., Melbourne, NA, Australia, 22, Female, Catholic, Asian,
Straight, nursing student, 4 Years of College, Middle class, Mesg ID
9162001105610
Responses:
I think the reason children are free to say what they want toward
their parents is that there is no discipline. Back in the day when I
was a young buck, getting your a** whooped meant you messed up and
were going to pay for your crime. Now, when a parent disciplines a
child, it's called child abuse. With that being known, the parents
are helpless and just let the children do and say what they want, to
avoid any type of conflict. Once the parents back down, the children
know how to manipulate their parents and get what they want.
POSTED 9/24/2001
Jerome, Los Angeles, CA, United States, Male, Filipino, 4 Years of
College, Mesg ID 918200180821
I am lucky to have intelligent and kind parents, but not everybody
does. Why should people automatically give respect just because they
are related? Some kids get beaten black and blue and worse by their
relations. It makes sense to me to judge people by their actions
rather than their genetic relationship to me. People have children
for all sorts of selfish reasons - why should the child feel grateful
for the nine months in the womb? He or she didn't choose to be here.
POSTED 9/24/2001
B.B., Edinburgh, NA, United Kingdom, 27, Female, Atheist,
White/Caucasian, Straight, PhD. student, Over 4 Years of College,
Middle class, Mesg ID 923200114739
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