The initial or immediate total acceptance or rejection of an idea or event is imprudent. True value often only becomes apparent with the passage of time. For example, let’s consider something everyone has strong opinions on at the moment‚Ķthe invasion of Iraq. Now if we look ten years in the future and find:

Scenario one, Iraq has become the leading terrorist state in the Middle East. Attacks against western civilizations are at an all time high and growing. Iran is using Iraq to front a global war and is providing the terrorist with nuclear and biological weapon capability; or

Scenario two, Iraq has become a leading example of democracy and freedom in the Middle East with a representative government representing many different peoples. From this example other more extreme regimes are moving toward more moderate rule.

How different will the historical view of the invasion of Iraq be based upon these two scenarios? Extremely different I’d say. Will those who have strong one-sided opinions today hold those same opinions then?

The closer you are to the “birth” of the event/ideal, the more possible variables or unpredictable outcomes are possible. As time passes the significance of the event/idea becomes clearer.

Keep an open mind about any new idea and not jump to immediate conclusions.