Hi all,

I've been enjoying the discussions lately. Someone with substance joining the fray. But this one on arrogance etc got a response from me.

I've been reading a book on the gangster slayings in Melbourne over the last 8 years. About 30 in all. Like dominoes falling. The interesting bit was the wives who said they didn't know what their husbands did despite living with them for many years, taking their money and living in luxury surrounded by security and guns. I think of the propensity of parents to not notice certain habits in their children which might indicate bullying, drug habits, gender identity confusion, isolation and hating teachers or bing picked on. I think of the ability to see myself in a good light at all times. Premies aren't putting Mj in a good light. Or knowledge in a good light. They are putting themselves in a good light. And going against this human ability for self-deception to protect the psyche is self-defeating and I certainly never teach it to others or try it out myself. Except of course sometimes when exasperated with a child. You know - the most stupid question a parent ever asks - "Why did you do that?".

Anyway the first chapter in Dale Carnegie's book "How to win friends and influence people." talks about a gangster who, right to the bitter end of his life, dying in a shootout after murdering a policeman with his girlfriend, writes  something like "I only wanted to  make people happy..."

I reckon that is the essence of many of the discussions here. Not all but many. An ongoing propensity to present what uis happening now as the best thing. I do it, others do it here anhd certainly premies do it.

Cheers

Peter Howie

Brisbane, Australia