Theos-Talk Archives (July 1996 Message tl00015)

Apologies for the use of names in the header, but it was the
only thing that seemed to fit.

Alan, you asked if all Americans are down and dirty, rude,
aggressive etc. etc. as depicted by Alexis.  I can assure you
that if you ever visit Virginia (not including "Yankee
Virginia", the suburbs of Washington, D.C.) you will find us
paragons of courtliness.  The most highly esteemed virtue here
is gentility, civility, politesse, to give three synonyms.
Race relations are the best in the nation, I suspect,
and we are the only state to elect an African American
governor.  An interesting statistic to illustrate the generally
lower level of aggressiveness is that we are #1 in the
percentage of drivers who obey speed limits and use seatbelts.
As a Brit you can also be assured that Virginians are the most
likely of all Americans to fawn over anyone from the Mother
Country.  On rare trips north I have found myself shocked to the
point of tears (not weeping, but feeling the potential arise) by the abrupt,
aggressive rudeness of New Yorkers. 

(Of course, we do have our share of obnoxious rednecks like
Jerry Falwell but most Virginians are mortified by such people.)

Jacques, don't let yourself get sucked into a vortex of
denunciation.  For you to say that theos-l is generally hostile
to theosophical teachings, doesn't deserve the name, and such
is to descend to the very level you seem to deplore.  Edgar
Cayce says "Criticize others and you will be criticized
yourself" (paraphrase).  The best policy, if you wish to
elevate the level of discourse around here, is to POST A
MESSAGE THAT YOU THINK EXEMPLIFIES THE KIND OF DISCOURSE YOU
WANT TO SEE.  There is a tremendous amount of denunciation that
goes on here, but there is also room for communications at
another level.  Welcome aboard, and here's an invitation: Share
something of your ideals and ideas with us.  I promise to
respect them; if someone else doesn't-- ignore it.

Namaste
Paul