Can we please for one moment, set individual personalities aside, and address the esteemed Gaucho's most excellent point.

There are times when a "Groupthink", "Gang Mentality" does break out on FlyerTalk and falling into step is expected and taking an independent stand is criticized. What can we as individuals (and it is only as individuals that we can so act) do to make certain that all of our decisions are based on our own knowledge and experience, independent of the (often) unsubstantiated experieinces/opinions of others. Can we even have the courage to politely ask our friends what evidence they have to support their positions?

To agree with our friends, to go along with the generally accepted position, is human nature and easy, whether those opinions/positions be positive or negative. If Rudi tells me that someone is a very good guy, I am inclined to like that person even before I meet them. If svpii tells me that someone she met is a jerk, I might subconsciously put up my guard when I meet that person.

To remain objective and examine, to investigate, listen and make up one's own mind based on the facts that one truly knows and understands (not what one has heard) is very hard. To then maintain and sustain one's personal opinions and positions in the face of opposition is even more difficult.

I just think of how much needless pain and suffering could have been saved in the world if we were all capable of making an independent evaluation of each situation and each individual person and not fall victim of "GroupThink". I know my life as a woman would have been far easier if such a utopic condition existed, as I am sure would be the lives of every black, Hispanic, Asian, Gay, Lesbian, mentally ill or handicapped, foreigner, etc., etc., would be easier were we capable of so doing.

Moreover, what can we do to make certain that we remain civil and polite even when we do disagree? I my mind, to be able to acknowledge disagreement on a given issue and still remain polite and open-minded is a true mark of mature thinking.

For myself, I always ask the question, "What has that person done to me personally?" If the answer is nothing, then, in absence of clear evidence (as in the case of UBL) that they have done damage to someone else, they remain innocent in my mind.

[This message has been edited by Punki (edited 12-14-2001).]