SENTINEL WATCH June 14, 2004 Issue

Are you sure you're right?

By Richard Nenneman

A friend had just written me a long e-mail on a current issue in the news, giving his strong opinion about the matter. Apparently thinking his final statement would clinch the argument, he ended, "And I'm sure I'm right!"

I wasn't actually in strong disagreement with him, but I felt that what he had written didn't leave even a small opening for any further discussion. And unfortunately it reminded me that I have on occasion said the same thing.

The current world scene seems beset with situations that call for resolution, and there is ample evidence that people think their way is the only way out. For example, whether United States involvement in Iraq was wise or not, the situation calls for wise decisions about what steps to take now. The 50-year-old conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians calls for resolution before it further inflames the Middle East or takes more lives on both sides. In the US, both social security and Medicare are in need of reform, with people of various opinions claiming their solution is the only one that will work.