Alex, one thing you are correct about, "critic thoughts about politics is not the best way to make friends"; as demonstrated by a tenor in your post that comes across as decidedly unfriendly. One doesn’t "choose" a perspective (at least I don’t); one’s perspective is borne out of one’s experiences and, hopefully, an honest interest in seeking truth? Moreover, my personal motivation (comfort) were I, in fact, "choosing" a perspective is something that I assure you would have no basis for judging from such a limited exchange as this. Perhaps it is the difficulty inherent in trying to discuss complicated issues within the limitations of a forum like this, but from my perspective you are not doing a very good job of understanding my perspective or I am not doing a very good job of explaining it; but you certainly seem to be very judgmental. I, likewise, ask that you do not take my comments "ad hominem".
I believe that my perspective would be exactly the same had I not had the "Cuba experience". Why do I feel that way? In part roughly half the population of this country shares those feelings without having had the "Cuba experience". I ask you: what country do YOU feel is and has been a greater force for good ON BALANCE? Again, from my perspective, I see a kind of absolutism in your perspective that is consistent: while I acknowledge the "problems and mistakes" in and made by this country, you seem to suggest that this somehow automatically disqualifies this country from the title "greatest force for good"; just as, in the context of a discussion about entertainers’ behavior (and nothing more) you felt that the names Allen and Cosby could not be uttered in the same sentence. I would suggest that it is you who are "choosing" a perspective.
I am intrigued by your comment about my "opposite perspective" of music. Opposite to what? Yours? If there is a parallel between our respective feelings about music and politics, it seems to me that our respective feelings about the two contradict each other. I welcome your thoughts about this.
I consider you a very thoughtful person and have always acknowledged that. However, thoughtfulness does not always equal truth and, as you point out, being from different continents will color our respective perspectives; for all of us.
