Anne wrote: > It is true that as a nation we are, almost above all else, curious. We > assume everyone else is too. Perhaps that's naive and innocent. Frankly, I > love this country for that very reason. I do like the idea of cultural > exchanges, both within our borders, and for those interested, people and > nations outside our borders.
Yes, I think the whole crux lies in the intent. If we were forcing them to listen to certain music that is of course, wrong - on the other hand if our motivation is pure, such as in an act of friendship and exchange, that is only human. People here on the list from many countries have shared their local music with each other. I've received some of this music from people outside the U.S. and have been very enriched by it. > This is an issue that is very real to me. Because many of us in my family > are enamored with that particular era of this country's history, we collect > and emulate many aspects of life at that time. But we still have microwaves, > computers, etc. (And they're tucked into cabinets with historically correct > raised panel doors and authentic hardware.) Sounds like all the women in my family, too! ;-) > So, what's the answer? To carefully preserve the details of a culture so > that anyone who wants to can incorporate aspects of it into their life. The > other half of the equation is whether in the interest of historical > preservation we should not share ideas and inventions with a people. The key > is choice. As long as there is a choice, people will make the choice they > want. Isn't that exactly what we're (U.S. and Northern Alliance) fighting > for? I think that is exactly what we have always fought for. Maybe now there is hope that the people can move back into the modern world (as they were historically before some imposed the 12th century on them). They can choose to listen to new music CDs, for example, or use them as coasters. I found a Radio Afghanistan web site yesterday that some may find interesting. From w hat I've read they have quite a love and bond for music are also wild for popular Indian and Pakistani music. Music means very much to them. Here's a link http://www.radioafghanistan.com/ and some related links http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20011114/lf/attack_afghan_music_dc_1.html Kakki
