hate crime....

[Peter C.]

I have never seen a junior pipe band without at least one adult with them, usually the Pipemajor.

I am English and have lived in England most of my life. I have spent time in Wales, Ireland and lots of time in Scotland. I have never experienced this discord that is meant to exist between these three coutries and England. I have had friends in all three coutries. The best friend I ever had was Scottish.

I have walked through Colchester in England at 1 o'clock in the morning on new years eve, in my kilt, with my bagpipes, when the Black Watch were stationed there. So you can imagine I came across more than a few young Scots who had had a few too many to drink. They were great. They just wanted to wish me a happy new year and for me to play them their favorite tune, which after a few too many at 1 o'clock in the morning is usually The Black Bear. They were gents.

I don't know why people think that just because we had troubles 2 or 3 centuries ago, that we don't like each other now. WE had trouble with the Germans just 60 years ago and we love them now. I lived there for six years in the military and it was the best six years of my career.

If you visit the British Isles, please don't go with preconceived ideas, or you will see what you expect. Go with an open mind and you will see it as it really is.

Sorry to ramble on.

Peter

[Kid Cossack]

I don't know why people think that just because we had troubles 2 or 3 centuries ago, that we don't like each other now.

Well said!

[gseven1]

I think the problem here is that the pipers haven't spent enough time in a network marketing company. After successfully alienating all your close friends and family......

Actually, my feeling is that we, speaking collectively, hold to tightly to our expectations. We expect people to behave in a certain way because of our preconceived notions, which may or may not be correct. Life became so much better when I dropped my expectations and just accepted people for who they were, regardless of their actions. It also gives one a better position for understanding since it helps keep negative emotion in check.

[Perldog007]

Unfortunately, when you put it out there.....

Most of understand that when we go about kilted, we are going against the "norm" (thanks be that we can) . This poster finds it sad that the boys were upset by the abuse, and that the police were involved.

Being the only kilted man for many miles around, I get some comments. Most positive. Sometimes folk get ugly. It happens.

I like to try and put a positive spin on such unfortunate events. Saying to myself "self, now we know how other people who are treated badly for being different might feel" is the pollyanna way to deal with it.

Today we have heard more about our kilt than would seem warranted in the workplace, but it feels good to be free. Pray for them that ain't. When I find a better way to deal with it, will post up.

In the meantime we can hope that all the young people involved in the event will somehow grow stronger and wiser from it.

[Peter C.]

Well Archangel and Perldog007 (sorry I don't know how to do a double quote) but it is my turn to say "well said,"

I guess you are both saying there are positive things we should all learn from these experiences.

Peter

[Archangel]

Well said!

It was well put, however, the problem is that we are trying to rationalize irrational people/behaviour.

More than likely, nearly all the girls, in this case, will answer the "why" with a shrug and "I don't know." One of them may have a response that we would be hard pressed to understand. Somehow they get to lead the mob. And then there are other factors, which break down to respect,dignity, hope and opportunity. In these kinds of cases, it's usually the last two.

After this point, I'm on a rant, so I'll stop here.

This months issue of National Geographic has an interesting study on swarm behaviour.

The main lesson for us, as rational people (?), is to do good where we are. Make sure those around us have all of those four ideals. I'm still on my rant.

Evil exists when good people do nothing.