Hi again, Ron!
 
FT>Hitler had the model you seem to espouse down pat.  I imagine 
FT>that Gengis Kahn did too. 
 RM> A bit loaded, don't you think ..... Out of curiosity, and
 RM> keeping in mind the traditional Japanese xenophobia 
 RM> (actually it's more along the lines of "we're civilized and 
 RM> the rest of the world is barbarian"), would you also add the
 RM> Japanese to this list?  Certainly they have shown little 
 RM> regard for other cultures beyond absorbing those things they
 RM> felt worthwhile?  And, I suppose, one would have to define
 RM> "culture".....
 RM> ___
I just had to come back to your reply here and inquire why you 
wondered if I'd include the Japanese.  Now I'm curious. :)
 
They are a most interesting culture indeed -- terribly in denial of 
quite a bit about themselves, but then again so are we.
 
"...little regard for other cultures beyond absorbing those things 
they felt worthwhile?"  ...some things that have titilated them they 
seem to a*d*sorb as well.  Interesting what catches their fancy.
Rodeos, anything "Western", our "American Grafiti" memorabilia 
like old cars and coke machines.  ...even hydraulic "low rider" 
jumping cars.   ...adsorbed.
 
Some of our democratic political systems, Levis, and lately labor 
standards trends.  Yep, there is an absorption going on there.
Culture?  ...well, as I see it here looking back at me from my 
petri dish it kinda looks like yogurt. 
I'd say that they have cultured themselves to death if asked. :)
...as you said, no appreciation for other cultures.
We've got elements of that same xenophobia in the older white 
european population in America don't you think?
I think being cultured could include as broad an understanding 
of other cultures as possible.  ...at least I believe it could 
be enriched by it.
Let me clarify that I don't ascribe the same degree of rigidity 
to Japanese Americans.  The national Japanese seem to be rather 
shallow in so many respects in their culture for a seeming lack 
of appreciation of others.  As individuals who have chosen to 
make America their home I believe they are enriched by broadening 
their appreciation for others.  ...certainly they have made many 
great contributions to our society as all of our ethnic flavors 
have.  ...btw, I think many believe the term ethnic excludes 
caucasions judging by how you hear it used.  I don't.
Ok, I covered my feelings on national Japanese barbarism in my 
first response so I won't return to that.
Sure -- there are *many* other examples; hardly a country that 
doesn't have a few skeletons in their closet.
The one we're looking at right now though is the USA.
How do *we* define culture?  I see prisoners being used to save the 
butts of home after home of people who use "culture" as an exclusionary tool 
-- one that will be used to keep people from getting a job.
My value system holds that if you are willing to help save a home 
for a family (or a town) in a flood that you shouldn't be sh*t on when 
the floodwaters recede.  White America *will* do that yaknow.
Can you be cultured and not have honor?
I keep hearing of axamples of people in meetings with one or 
another seated president where *extremely* crude language was used 
so it can't be that social position guarantees that one is "cultured".
Many people seem to be down on Black Americans in general yet some of 
the most stellar examples of grace and poise were just shown to us by 
Mr. Cosby -- contrast that to an upper-crust white family burying 
their daughter wearing a tiera and hiring a press agent.  Strange.
...dunno, but I don't think I could put it better than the HS student 
from Oakland who said (in wonderful english): "if my teacher and I 
don't understand each other learning doesn't occur". (before congress)
Too many hoops are set up simply to exclude and accomplish *very* 
little else all to often.  I'd rather see english banned from the 
workplace than see us fail to reach just one little kid from the 
inner city who might grow up to be something besides a Prudential 
executive officer with nothing but larceny on his mind.
Seems like the ones we call "cultured" should be in jail and the 
ones in jail should be out in the workforce if you ask me.
What's "cultured" to you, Ron?   What *really* matters?
I'm really proud that Oakland raised the issue.
Best,
-frank:)
--- Maximus 2.01wb
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