Well... discussion is very much a part of the answer, as long as it is undertaken with both parties wanting to listen and act on the results. Here in Mudcat, we have seen some spectacular results of discussion. I am always reminded of my first introduction to Richard Bridge, an Mcat solisitor in England. We could not be farther from agreement in belief or on fact, yet disscussing Ireland we both came to some real understandings and a bunch of steriotypes fell by the wayside. Now Michael, I would offer that you look a little harder at the posts, I consider Mick and Dough, good and as close friends as I have, in spite of having never met. Like many close friends there are things we agree on and things we don't. But, we are, in light of one of the most viseral issues of our day, we aren't attacking each other.
On the issue of talk in light of war and peace, many in this nation, including some in our leadership, have not spent a lot of time "walking in another's shoes." The present occupant of the White House, had never left the US before his election, though some Scottish Mcats swore on an eariler post, they's seen him drinking years ago in a pub in Scotland). Point is, that fundimentalism, here and there feeds on the paings of poverty and the disatisfaction of inequality, and unlike civil rights movements, it creates more inequality and poverty as it's solution. Remember all the poorest folks living in trailers here sending everythink they could to Jim BakKer so his DOG could have an airconditioned dog house!
Well, I don't say turn the other cheek, that is not enough. I say feed to poor and help educate the ignorant and the philisophical poverty of fundimentalism will dry up and blow away like the dust in downtown New York.
Keep talking friends, Cheers Larry