<p>So now its a question of morals? </p>
<p>
[quote]
Is it correct in the light of moral standards. Perhaps, moral standards may sound too far-fetched to many of you. So how about is it correct in the context that every American is also a member of the global community? Rational ignorance may be justified by the idea of pragmatism and economic interest. But the persons who chose to be rationally ignorant can't expect to be rational in other aspects. Americans are perhaps more attracted to the idea of rational ignorance than people from other countries, since lets not forget America is the land where self-interest prevails... where self-interest is the backbone of American democracy.... invocation of rational ignorance was not correct, it was morally wrong.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Interesting. It's true, of course, that Americans aren't perfect. And its true that there are many Americans who, despite the immense resources and information that is avaliable to them, willfully choose to remain ignorant about other people and cultures. </p>
<p>And that is a shame and a fault of Americans.</p>
<p>Still, its hard to stomach a little morality speech coming from someone whose own government is not above running their tanks over student protestors, you know? What else has the Chinese government done? Oh, I know: refusing to safe harbor desperate, starving North Korean refugees (since you brought up the Jewish refugees during WWII)? Or, I know, forcing abortions and sterilizations on their own poor village women (see <a href="http://www.time.com/time/archive/preview/0,10987,1103579,00.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.time.com/time/archive/preview/0,10987,1103579,00.html</a>). Or, I don't know, withdrawing a film from Cannes because it was about the pro-democracy demonstrations (see <a href="http://www.politicalgateway.com/news/read/13558%5B/url%5D">http://www.politicalgateway.com/news/read/13558</a>); the official reason for withdrawing the only Asian film from the most respected film festival in the world? --- "technical difficulties." Riiightt....</p>
<p>If you want to talk about the dangers and immoral nature of "self-interest", honey, why don't you take a look at the communist government before accusing America?</p>