the Manichean principle

[Michael Eisenstadt]

Connie Clark wrote:
> 
> First: Who is Manichea?

the adjective Manichean is derived from the name of the 
evil principle in the Zoroastrian religion of ancient
Persia

the phrase "the Manichean principle" is commonly used 
nowadays to refer to the false belief that behind the 
events of the secular world lies an evil causative 
agent or agents (e.g. Bush or the capitalists or the 
Jews -- take your pick). this belief often elicits a 
kind of chronic hysteria combined with panic or, at 
the very least, an ongoing and incurable discomfort

the most efficient cure for this false belief is 
to learn enough world history so as to have an
general overall sense of the details behind the rise 
and fall of great nations over the last 2500 years

failing which one finds oneself calling Bush
crazy and, worse, fearing Manichean terror at
what is to happen (the Chickie-lickey effect)

his smug ignorance and self-interested acts
may piss you off but he is not crazy in any 
meaningful sense of the term. but this is hard
to see if you don't have enough of a grasp of
world history to see his power in its real 
context: US president 2000-2008
 
> Ghetto friends.
> 
> So, someone disagrees with you and furthermore, suggests that your
> thinking is flawed.  Isn't that about what ME said?  Why take it
> personal?

yeah, why?