Looking long term without acknowledging history, or indeed, hoping it goes away gives rise to extreme reactions. Many of the present day conflicts, whether internal to a country or external, are a result of history not being reconciled (for want of a better word).
Extremist Islamists will cry Palestine and justify suicide bombers. Extremist Hindus will cry past Muslim rule and justify Gujarat. Extremist Christian groups will cry Christoslavism and justify Bosnia. And similarly for much ethnic strife in Africa, Asia and elsewhere.
If we don't want to be condemned into repeating history, we have to first understand it. Else it will be hijacked, once again, by people with bloody agendas.
I think I will stay out of this thread, henceforth. Its way too offtopic now
