I swore to myself I'd never write a word about this on a list . . . but, well, failing to keep that kind of promise to myself isn't exactly setting a precedent. I was struck fairly hard by Mieke's comment. But what really bothers me is the nationalism across the board, on both sides: the rhetoric of nationalism, even when it's in support of a country I have found attractive, congenial, and -- as countries go -- relatively decent, has been terrifying to me as long as I can remember. I came to Canada almost thirty years ago largely because there was a lot less nationalistic fervor here than I was used to. Exhortations to the women of the white race to have more babies is only the tip of an iceberg, I'm afraid. A plague on both their houses. -- Russ __|~_ Russell A. Hunt __|~_)_ __)_|~_ HOMEPAGE: www.sthomasu. Department of English )_ __)_|_)__ __) ca/faculty/hunt.htm St. Thomas University | )____) | EMAIL: [log in to unmask] Fredericton, New Brunswick___|____|____|____/ FAX: (506) 450-9615 E3B 5G3 CANADA \ / PHONE: (506) 363-3891 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~