Kevin Gowen wrote:
> John W. wrote:
> 
>> Kevin Gowen <kgowenNOSPAM@myfastmail.com> wrote in message 
>> news:<2ou8gqFd9vt9U37@uni-berlin.de>...
>>
>>> John W. wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>> Kevin Gowen wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Stop beating around the bush!
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Snap!
>>>
>>>
>>> If you are going to imitate the negroes, at least do it right.
>>>
>>
>> Here's the thing. You said "I'm sorry you didn't have very good
>> parents" and I asked you to apologize. If you have no understanding of
>> why someone would ask for that apology, then say so; if you ever feel
>> offended by something I said and asked for an apology I'll give it.
>> But if you offend somebody and they let you know and ask for an
>> apology, a decent person gives it.
> 
> 
> You said, "the apple falling far from the tree is actually a good thing 
> most of the time." What does that statement tell me about how worthy of 
> emulation you think your parents are?
> 
I was continuing the metaphor. You don't want two plants growing close 
to each other. When that happens they suffocate each other and neither 
grows to its fullest potential. One will typically whither and die in 
the shadow of the other, which gets the greatest amount of sunlight and 
water. So it's actually best if the apple falls (and thus grows) out of 
the shade of its parent.

I think very highly of my parents, mainly because when I was younger 
they understood the importance of letting me choose my own path and seek 
their guidance rather than them dictating it and forcing their guidance 
upon me. They took the risk that in so doing I might choose to live 
forever away from them; but the result is that I am extremely devoted to 
them and that's a major reason I don't (and probably won't again) live 
in Japan.

Understand?

John W.