Celtic Heroes

The first official dictionary in the world was produced by an Englishman called Dr Samuel Johnson (it took him nine long years). He came from humble beginnings and only in the latter part of his life was he awarded a small annuity for his work. He became famous not so much due to his great achievement in producing that very first dictionary but because he was a renowned philosopher and wit. His wisdom and his compassion were truly outstanding. When he died he left all he had to his black servant (an unheard of thing back then considering slavery had not yet been abolished).

Johnson's quotes are loved today as ever they were because they are as pertinent today as they were when he wrote them (genius does indeed stand the test of time). One of his most famous quotes, and very apt regarding this on going and rumbling dispute concerning 'race', 'racism' and a few American players seemingly obsessed with what to me is a facile argument that no one can prove that the majority of players on CH are American (even though we all know they are!), is:

'Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel'.

Johnson was not some Left Wing soggy hippie, quite the reverse, he was a Tory. He was proud of his country, but he saw how dangerous it was when people of all nations become just a little bit too patriotic! If nothing else history itself since Johnson's time has proved him correct on that statement.

What I like in oNi here is that he is truly debating rather than slinging insults. He actually quotes dictionary definitions of certain words and their accepted meaning. The downside is he can be no more impartial in this, as an American, than we as Europeans can be. Even on a games forum our interaction on 'racism' and extremes of either religion or politics has simply emphasised how much we are all defined by our own and different cultures and that is why this thread will lead no where other than towards further animosity. For that reason alone, I think it will end up locked.

Aralus is in a different clan to me and one I left due to issues with previous leadership. He is very loyal to that clan and I respect that. The fact is he and I don't share all the same views, but surely that is a good thing.....that is how we learn, as in having our own views tested and even changed by experience mixed with meeting the experiences of others and their views. I find it very contradictory oNi that neither you nor Aileron make any allowance for the fact Aralus is Dutch and therefore English is not his first language, but at the same time, you have both constantly defended a player in your clan whose first language is English but who is only capable of using it in the most debased and foul manner. This is what I mean about 'bias' (defending even foul use of language, Aileron then turning it round to saying I judged that individual because he has a New York accent!!!). I cannot hear his accent, this is a text format! Nor have I ever judged anyone in my life by their accent, but rather by their conduct. If any player either within or outside of your clan thinks that debate is about strings of endless lines of foul language, then he/she will never be judged by the majority as being anything but what they exhibit themselves to be by their use of only base and aggressive language. It seems to me that oNi is playing 'good cop' here while Aileron slips in silly and snide asides to Aralus which instead of making oNi's far more constructive replies take the heat out of the situation, merely exacerbate it.