New Beginning (or not?)

The sombre backdrop to my writing is public television's 2 hour history of Islamic history in Spain and the occasional peaceful coexistence between Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Truly remarkable with today's frame of reference. Truly remarkable to see the sophistication of a luxurious Islamic lifestyle in Granada; a lifestyle that Christians and Jews in Christian Spain sought to replicate by importing the Islamic expertise from Granada.

Far be it from me to discuss or analyze this history, but how did the centuries since that golden period in Spain evolve - from the Inquisition to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and on through the many years to the end of the 2nd millenium and the violent conflicts we have today.

Perhaps we really know part of the answer, so the better question may be: Could events have been controlled so that the 21st century, that we are now living, could have been different

I really will have to stay away from Public Television, I dont like this kind of provocative programming. I much prefer the Tuscan cooking of David Rocco and his co-chefs on the Food Network. I have to strive for an appropriate balance. 'Nuff said