January 04, 2008

We have such great little exchanges :)...


________________________________________
From: Dr Lisa Earle [mailto:drlisaearle@embarqmail.com]
Sent: Friday, January 04, 2008 10:16 AM
To: Dave Ruden; DAVID RUDEN
Subject: Hmmm!

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

"The one absolutely certain way of bringing this nation to ruin, of preventing all possibility of its continuing to be a nation at all, would be to permit it to become a tangle of squabbling nationalities." - Theodore Roosevelt

MOM




________________________________________
From: Dave Ruden
Sent: Friday, January 04, 2008 10:48 AM
To: 'Dr Lisa Earle'
Cc: Dave Ruden
Subject: RE: Hmmm!

What an interesting comment!
Ethnic and religious diversity aside, if we look at other countries where there is a ‘tangle of squabbling nationalities’, and one certainly can appreciate the wisdom of TR’s words. Some criticize the idea of ‘assimilation’ as an eviscerating force on cultural/religious diversity. However, assimilation in so far as it means blending to mutual appreciation for governing values (i.e. democracy, civil liberty, and non-(religious)-establishment) is probably critically essential for national cohesion. Outside of these global assimilation principles, cultural and religious differentiation may still fully flourish.