At 09:03 PM 3/27/03 -0700, Kestrel wrote:

>Debating the war -- without the confrontation

Good luck.  Sorry, but there are too many people of all persuasions in this
country who have not got the First Amendment down pat yet, and probably
never will.

>No matter where people stand on the war in Iraq, many face tense, even
>hostile, reactions when they speak their minds.

Q.E.D.

>Really listen, instead of just preparing your response.

I'm afraid that's asking too much of most Americans these days.

>She recommends the method used by author Stephen Covey: When two people have
>a disagreement, the second person is not allowed to express a view until she
>or he can, to the satisfaction of the first person, explain that person's
>point of view. Then the process is reversed.

'Tis a consummation devoutely to be wished, for sure, but don't hold your
breath.

>Think compassionately and avoid triggering your own fears.

For too many people, that word isn't in their vocabularies.

>"People are on such short fuses now that their anger level gets very easily
>triggered, and that's when it's most important to think about what is the
>most compassionate response one can give," said Alan Alhadeff, a Seattle
>mediator who has developed national curriculums for teaching mediation and
>negotiation.

What we need, in addition to such curricula, is one in critical thinking.
That is too woefully absent these days.

>Remember, he said, no one has a monopoly on being right. "It's (about) . . .
>recognizing everyone's humanity in this," he said, including that of the
>Iraqi people.

Oh, I think most of us recognize the humanity of the Iraqui people.  Except
Saddam Hussein, who has been murdering his own people for years.  He's the
one who is outside the pale.


>Remember that you can't control what other people think.

One of the key points, IMHO.  Too many people these days DO want to control
what other people think, want everyone else to think the way they have been
indoctrinated to think.    And if you don't think they way they do,
you're a pinko commie turncoat traitor, you dog, you.  Argh.

Excuse me, that should have been running dog.

>Turn off the TV and consider seeing a doctor.

Good advice!

Veloci--New Zealand looks better every day--raptor

--- Rachel's Little NET2FIDO Gate v 0.9.9.8 Alpha