Tom wrote:
> It's amazing how endlessly inventive we are at putting down others
> that don't see things the same way. If being a watermelon means
> active concern for the environment around us as well as active
> concern for other people, then it must be a compliment.

The 'watermelon' description has nothing to do with people who see things
differently.  It describes a person whose first goal is control (the inside)
and the secondary goal is the means to achieve that goal (the environment).
You can tell what a person's priority is by offering other suggestions.  If
they turn down all options that preclude their control then you know what
their priority really is.  There's a group of people who hide behind all
kinds of worthy causes to gain political advantage (environment, 'the
children', justice, sexual harassment, etc.).  A watermelon does not have an
active concern for other people, his or her primary concern is with a
particular solution that benefits them personally.  It's not meant to put
anyone down, it's meant to call them out because they tend to reduce the
credibility of the rest of the group who actually believe in the primary
cause.

Mark W.

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