I have read both, and they are both excellent books. While it is true that the 'culture' of Americans is different than that of many other nations and peoples, it is also different from one area in the U.S. to another. With so many nationalities, races, and religions in the U.S., the life experiences, opinions, and beliefs of each person can differ dramatically within our own country. That has a lot to do with the differing opinions on many subjects that each of us hold. I can only think that this is generally a good thing. However, once we elect officials into office based upon their views during the election process, we really are at a loss when those same elected officials change their views during their term of office or divert from the path we thought they would take. There were many that refused to vote for Bush during the election because they felt then that he would lead us to war before any other. They were not far from the truth. Yet, even if polls showed that more than half of Americans or even the majority of Americans did NOT support military action against Iraq, when and if that time arrives, many will support our troops regardless and back the President for a successful outcome. There is clearly a difference between supporting war and supporting our troops, yet many cannot see that line. In honesty, I know of absolutely no one that would not like to see a peaceful resolution to the coming tragedies. I think many feel that we are really out of viable options though and the time has already come to take action. Others do not share that view and feel that 12 years is not enough time to allow for compliance. No one will ever agree on everything in our country - just as in every other country. Viewpoints will always differ. There is one truth though-there is no freedom greater than that of free speech. As we have seen recently in the news, even in this country it is not always a 'given.' It's a shame that freedom does not exist everywhere in this day and age.
Fernando I have enjoyed your posts and appreciate your viewpoints. Isn't it great to be able to say how you feel openingly!

Tracy

>Tracy,
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>>There is a major problem (in my opinion) with the poll though.
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>I've been very ironic in my replies regarding this subject (the war against Iraq), and perhaps I should apologyse for that. I realized (maybe I'm wrong) that people beliefs are based in those "truths" they know or have access to. Think that we all here are good will people, wishing the best for everybody in the world. I really believe in that. Of course there are those damned guys that should be put in jail, that are sploiting, humiliating and doing all sorts of crimes one can tell.
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>Beliefs, IMO, are mainly based in each one's culture, life experience and information that is "supplied" to him/her, not to talk in the surrounding society's influence (at the end this could be included in the topic "culture") and level of criticysm.
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>People make their opinions, act and say things based on their beliefs. I'm not (and even don't want to be <s>) a sociologyst, but two stories came up to my mind, that think have much to do with people's positioning (based on their beliefs) regarding the Iraq war, as to the positioning of world leaders, and helped me to understand much that is happening in these last threads in UT.
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>If you haven't read the books or seen the movies, please accept my recomendation, think it is worth of your time:
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>The man who would be king - Book or Movie
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>by Rudyard Kipling, Louis L. Cornell. The story of the man who would be king describes the journey of two half-mad yet determined Englishmen from obscurity in India to divine rule in far-off Kafiristan. The two men smuggle themselves into Afghanistan posing as a mad priest and his servant, steal some mules when their camels can go no further, trek over the vast mountains, and set themselves up as kings by demonstrating the power of the rifle to spear-brandishing natives (in the most murderous way, one might add). They later establish their status as gods by introducing Masonic mystery and orders to the mountain villages. Eventually, however, their humanity is exposed, thus wrecking the dream of empire.
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>The name of the rose - Book or Movie
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>Novel by Umberto Eco, published in Italian as Il nome della rosa in 1980. Although the work stands on its own as a murder mystery, it is more accurately seen as a questioning of "truth" from theological, philosophical, scholarly, and historical perspectives. The story centers on William of Baskerville, a 50-year-old monk who is sent to investigate a death at a Benedictine monastery. During his search, several other monks are killed in a bizarre pattern that reflects the Book of Revelation. Highly rational, Baskerville meets his nemesis in Jorge of Burgos, a doctrinaire blind monk determined to destroy heresy at any cost.
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>Regards,
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>Fernando
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>PS. I love you all fellows! <s>