Conversational Topic #6 - "Countries don't have friends, they have interests..."

Being an avid follower of history, I often read up all sorts of historical developments, and one thing I've seen so far that remains constant since the 1st century, and flares up even today-whitewashing of pasts.

While most of the powers-that-be in charge of countries declare themselves inpartial and honest, the base human instinct of being the victim and gross exaggeration comes into play, and not just by dictator-run lesser economically developed countries. One example would be the annual China vs. Japan diplomatic firefight. Both countries have long collective national memories, and significant pride. This results in the usual bickering over war crimes in World War 2. While China has a point, (See the Rape Of Nanking, and the chemical and biological incident at Changde.) it too has been guilty of blanking out numbers and data in unfavourable situations(The Great Leap Forward, Cultural Revolution, Tiananmen Square protests.) Personally, I feel while China has a right to demand an apology, it has little right to read the riot act to Japan on correcting history. Pot, meet kettle.

While such actions draw much condemnation (If they are ever proven/caught), it would always occur. Anyone who has handled young children would know they do not need to learn how to victimize or exaggerate to swing people to their side. When manipulated skillfully, leaders would use the same techniques to sway public opinion to their cause, even with baseless or otherwise callous accusations. (See Joe McCarthy, Ayatollah Khomeini) Such individuals are rare, to the fortune of human society in general. Having too many people who are good at Demagogy could mean some major problems.

By The Dolphin

"He pauses shaving and he tells himself that he is the bomb,
She has her curlers set, her credit cards are paying the funds,
He's not that old, I've been told,
She goes out every day ,
She goes every way...oh yeah!

And they don't even care at all

She's open waiting for more;
And I know he's only looking to score,
And it's way too unhealthy,
Often they've typically,
Been starved for attention before."

Blink 182-Enema Of The State-Mutt