<html><head><style type="text/css"><!-- DIV {margin:0px;} --></style></head><body><div style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:#000000;"><DIV>I'm afraid I had too much fun with the definitions. In poking fun at the outrageous nature of witch hunts we never really got to debate what should be done with witches.</DIV>
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<DIV>Which is not as silly a question as it might sound. Of course we all know that the problem with witch hunts is that *there are no witches* (at least, not as the witch hunters have generally defined them - and frequently with definitions that contradict themselves). That, however, does nothing to prevent witch hunts happening over and over again, with old witches being resurrected to play the part or new witches being appointed to take their place. It seems that every society needs a scapegoat to place its frustrations on. We cannot bear to blame our problems on bad luck (because we can do nothing about it) or on ourselves (because our egos are too fragile), so we seek someone weak that we can attack so we can feel better about ourselves.</DIV>
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<DIV>In western societies we seldom blame poor physical health on witches any more, but when it comes to mental health it seems everyone is a victim of someone. If someone makes poor choices in life and reaps the rewards, it is always someone else's fault. It is easier to play the victim than to take responsibility for one's own actions, and it is *safer* to play the victim when society has been divided into only two classes: Victims and Scapegoats.</DIV>
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<DIV>Thus we turn around and make real life victims of those who take responsibility for their own lives, often hurting those most who have offended us least - and we do it again and again, generation after generation, because it is easier than having to live with ourselves and our perceived inadequacies. Occasionally the Scapegoats fight back and we move on to an easier target, and a fresh hunt begins.</DIV>
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<DIV>Who are the scapegoats today? It differs across cultures, so I'll propose a little test: Who are worse than murderers? There's your scapegoat. There's your witch.</DIV>
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<DIV>So, should we burn witches? Hardly. We had all best be careful and circumspect if we do not wish to be next on the fire. Or, we might want to arm ourselves. The people - every people - are stupid and gullible and murderous and numerous.</DIV>
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<DIV>And if you meet a witch - thank them.</DIV>
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<DIV>Alan</DIV></div><br>__________________________________________________<br>Do You Yahoo!?<br>Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around <br>http://mail.yahoo.com </body></html>