Kathy: > ... I was just trying to say that since I have no power over what was, and I wont ever know how it really was, only glimpses of how other people saw things, I can't bring myself to feel badly or proudly, about history. -->> Aaaaahhh - I think I see what you mean, Kathy. Guess you could extend that and say the same thing about "current day" people and having "feelings" about "current events". You're not only talking "context", but also "no control over the actions of others" and/or "likely we don't know the "whole story"? Hmmmmm ..... Yeah - guess I "am" over to the side of you a bit, then. Or - I'm just an emotional critter? LOL But - not to worry. Likely the buggy has lots of different seats in it! :) When I look into the past? When I look at things today? Yes, there's "context" - for a time - a culture - a country - etc. And no - likely there's not "certainty" as we're talking "people" where the only certainty in any timeframe is that we "don't" know the whole story! :) But - I carry on anyway. I "do" sift, sort, assess the times, the events, the people. I wonder about them. I "am" saddened by some things - joyful about others. I "do" admire some things - and not others. I do "connect" in that way. Please understand that once again, this doesn't mean I'm over at an extreme! Certainly doesn't mean I "condemn" or "boast", for example. For me - that's "too far over" on the scale. And yes - much of this sifting is purely "intellectual". That is - mental assessments. Like a scholar (except I"m not that smart! LOL). However, I "do" keep the emotional side as well and "feel" - for then - and for now. What can I say? LOL Kathy: > ... New word - horrified - I am horrified by ... <snip> ... And back to proud, I am proud to ... >> -->> Aaaaahhhh - again, I think I see where you're coming from? Ok. If I go to your words? Then - guess I would say that I share those - but don't seem to have it "by country". I come at it across the board - all timeframes - all countries - just 'In general" about "we humans" as we mosey about this planet of ours. To me - "life experiences" - historically - or now - are "on a spectrum". And yeah - I "do" have a connection to it - some more positive - some more negative. (Like I said way back - I just "prefer" to concentrate on the positive! LOL) Anyway -- think at the end of the day - we're now really talking about "values" & "sensibilities" - all very, very, personal things. Sure glad those buggies DO have lots of different seats for this life ride we're all on! :) And - I do appreciate "dialog" as we try to keep our buggy on the road and not in a ditch! LOL Thanks! :) Deb