My viewpoint is that people of all cultures should be respected and their contributions appreciated.

Let's pause for a moment and think about that. I know you think it sounds noble, and probably 9/10ths of the posters here would agree, but the statement covers more ground than it at first appears.

Default respect. You demand it for people of all cultures.

Sorry. No sale.

Respect is earned. One doesn't "respect" the students just for coming to school each day. No, respect is the byproduct of perfomance in deed. Default respect CHEAPENS accomplishment and respect. Default respect blankets everyone with LIES.

Yes, the folks, such as yourself, who believe in default respect for all people, really give respect to none. How's that?

Your bar is so low that mere existence becomes respect-worthy. Everyone must pretend that everyone is equal, when the world is mute testimony to the fact that NOTHING is equal. Everything is unique.

With such wisdom under one's belt, default respect is counter-productive as it attempts to mask accomplishment from slack and constructive cultures from destructive cultures.

No, the deficit of mind is quite real. Masking truth under blanket of default respect so that the world is destroyed by the destructive is the desire of those who stand just outside the city gates and demand they be opened for them simply because it is unfair that they should not enjoy the fruits of others minds and labor.

The deficit of mind is quite real and apparent to even those who are not sterling examples of intellectual clarity.

Default respect discerns neither the suicide bomber or the school teacher.

The intelligent approach to others is judge EACH by their merits. By their fruits they shall be known. If nothing is known - hold off on either respect or disdain. Cultures are much the same: By their fruits.

Respect is for those who earn it.

;-)