[Peace-discuss] N-G letter attacks Lancet study

[n.dahlheim at mchsi.com]

I think that is why there is truth to the saying that you should hold your friends close but your enemies 
closer...  Respecting your enemy is the fastest way towards peace in the end.
   


----------------------  Original Message:  ---------------------
From:    "C. G. Estabrook" <galliher at uiuc.edu>
To:      Stuart Levy <slevy at ncsa.uiuc.edu>
Cc:      peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
Subject: Re: [Peace-discuss] N-G letter attacks Lancet study
Date:    Fri, 21 Sep 2007 10:02:44 +0000

> Two parallels occur, one almost exact: Robin Hood and Little John.
> 
> Another is from Kipling, but I think we might in fact come up with a lot 
> more:
> 
> "...They have looked each other between the eyes, and there they found 
> no fault,
> They have taken the Oath of the Brother-in-Blood on leavened bread and salt:
> They have taken the Oath of the Brother-in-Blood on fire and fresh-cut sod,
> On the hilt and the haft of the Khyber knife, and the Wondrous Names of God.
> The Colonel’s son he rides the mare and Kamal’s boy the dun,
> And two have come back to Fort Bukloh where there went forth but one.
> And when they drew to the Quarter-Guard, full twenty swords flew clear--
> There was not a man but carried his feud with the blood of the mountaineer.
> 'Ha’ done! ha’ done!' said the Colonel’s son. 'Put up the steel at your 
> sides!
> Last night ye had struck at a Border thief -- to-night ’Tis a man of the 
> Guides!'
> 
> "Oh, East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet,
> Till Earth and Sky stand presently at God’s great Judgment Seat;
> But there is neither East nor West, Border, nor Breed, nor Birth,
> When two strong men stand face to face, tho’ they come from the ends of 
> the earth!"
> 
> 
> Stuart Levy wrote:
> > ...
> > Why are we in the habit of acting this way when people of
> > some other cultures do not?  When US soldiers who had
> > fought in Vietnam go there today, we often hear that they
> > are welcomed, in spite of having participated in vast destruction
> > and loss of life.   And if the past invading country gets a
> > label, it doesn't appear to be "evildoer".
> > 
> > I was charmed to read (in translation) a classic Chinese story,
> > "Outlaws of the Marsh".  One or another of the characters will be
> > travelling peacefully along until being attacked, often nearly killed,
> > by a bandit.  Character overcomes the attack, and... what would happen
> > in a Western story?  Righteous slaying of the evil attacker?  Enslavement?
> > Surely at least undying enmity.  Not so here.
> > Having demonstrated to each other that they are worthy
> > opponents, attacker and attackee become fast friends,
> > and stick by each other in further adventures.
> > 
> > 
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