How do you explain the mess the world is in? I mean the real big mess it's in, the horrendous pollution, the wars, the fact that to my knowledge only one country in the world, Sweden, has outlawed, actually made against the law, hitting children, especially with objects, while here in the U.S. spanking is considered acceptable and even endorsed by religious organizations? Don't write back and tell me it isn't, because it is. Why does pharma think it fitting and proper to loot Medicare, etc. etc. Why is all that? ----- Original Message ----- From: To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: 1/26/2006 10:02:43 AM Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: Emotion and Politics In a message dated 1/26/2006 8:47:25 A.M. Central Standard Time, aamago@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes: Andy: Except the things I advocate the human race refuses to do, like parenting classes blah blah. Andy, Where do you live again? There are parenting classes all over the place and they are very well attended. We have three "Parents Universities" coming up in the next couple of months. You want to come and see for yourself how many people will come and spend the entire day learning parenting tips/skills? It's not just the people who are so emotional about politics that they cannot see/hear that the world is a little different than they are perceiving it to be. I still maintain that there are a lot of people in your area who are doing lots of really neat things to assist people/parents--and, remember, I'll be glad to get you names/addresses/phone numbers. I'll even call long distance and make sure that they can expect your call of inquiry. I'd do that for you--just so that you can see/know all the different activities being done in your area... But, perhaps one ends up too emotionally set in the belief system of the downward spiral of the human race to be able to do more than just whine about it...and not even be willing to go join all the like-minded folk who are actively working to better things (and we won't talk about how you don't actually want to do anything but whine about it...still think you need to examine your gifts/talents and well, we already went there, remember. Though I did say that if you go 'there' that I would make sure to point out the other side...) In regards to the emotional/rational aspect of human brains: My understanding from the original article was that the people on the edge of the spectrum of either political party were the ones who were not using that part of their brains when given information. The rest of them used all parts of the brain... I have also read studies that by hearing/listening to different points of view, it changes reactions ...even if the person does not ever change his/her mind on an issue. Maybe it keeps a person exercising all sides of the brain. Best, Marlena in Missouri