Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/07/15
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Jeffery Smith sez: > Free speech is one thing, but "Jap" is inflammatory. I may have missed the event, but have not yet noted a person of Japanese origin complaining about the "unfortunate" word. This is not to excuse or condone, but I suspect that Don is of an age to have experienced the use of that word in posters, in news reports, and in very common useage. The "kinder" and "gentler" modern generations were spared the horrors of that war but have benefited from its longterm effects. Nippon was joined with another country or two in Europe in its Axis alliance. One of those countries produced a certain brand of cameras whose existence defines this list. Those producers were also referred to by slurs in the wartime media. Those of that generation are conditioned to respond on a basic level to their wartime experiences. How they respond externally is a matter of awareness and upbringing. We do have the common useage of "bad" words in our history (Conrad's "Person of the Narcissus") or Twain's "Person Jim."), whether or not thay are acceptable today was not the concern of the authors at the time of their writing. We, the revisionists and the PC folk of today, are left to redefine and correct history as we see fit. History, which has recorded foul events on all sides of all conflicts, still exists as the written conscience of mankind. The very fact that this discussion is happening is living proof that we have evolved into a more aware nation, that things are working. To spare Ted, I, too, will cease and desist, not "choosing to fight it out along this line if it takes all summer." And, to return to the Leica theme, what is the defining LTM 50mm lens? Which one rocks your worlds? Eve - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html