nepenthe | Tue 05-Sep-06 05:59 PM |
Member since 04th Mar 2003
3430 posts
| |
|
#197, "RE: This essey pretty much sums up my current world vie..."
|
I have to admit this is the most ignorant political thing I've read recently. No offense to Odrirg, but it is.
A few comments:
>We cannot fault >either the Republicans or Democrats as there were no >provocations by any of the presidents or their immediate >predecessors, Presidents Ford or Carter.
From the perspective of some Americans this may be true. From the perspective of most people in the Middle East it really isn't, and not without some justification. It's not like America hasn't been involved in military actions in the Middle East during that time that have killed people, including civilians. It's not like weapons provided by Americans haven't done the same.
Now, maybe we did the things we did for reasons that seemed good to us, either just at the time or still. I'll buy that. But, you have to be pretty willfully blind to U.S. history to think that no one in the Middle East could have any rational justification for hating America. That's not to say that terrorist actions are justified, but there are a lot of explanations for the motives that, while not making these actions right, are a lot less silly.
>Hopefully, but that is really not material. There is no doubt >that the predominately Christian population of Germany was >peaceful, but under the dictatorial leadership of Hitler (who >was also Christian), that made no difference. You either went >along with the administration or you were eliminated. There >were 5 to 6 million Christians killed by the Nazis for >political reasons (including 7,000 Polish priests). (see >>http://www.nazis.testimony.co.uk/7-a.htm )
See this, or look up Godwin\'s Law via the source of your choice.
>No, I blame us for blithely assuming we can maintain all of >our Political Correctness, and all of our civil rights during >this conflict and have a clean, lawful, honorable war. None of >those words apply to war. Get them out of your head.
You can't protect America by subverting civil rights or the Constitution. You can theoretically protect a piece of land and the people who live in it by doing so, but that place isn't America anymore.
>And finally, name any Muslim countries throughout the world >that allow freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom of >religion, freedom of the press, equal rights for anyone -- let >alone everyone, equal status or any status for women, or that >have been productive in one single way that contributes to the >good of the world.
Yet this essay urges that we transform America into a country that doesn't have these freedoms.
>Democracies don't have their freedoms taken away from them by >some external military force. Instead, they give their >freedoms away, politically correct piece by politically >correct piece.
Or by a government that "just wants to protect" them?
A huge part of what makes America great is its freedom. This essay talks about how peaceful Muslims can't disagree with angry Muslims without being silenced or killed, but then in the next breath urges Americans who disagree with the actions of their government to be silent. That is letting the terrorists win -- letting them take away America's greatness and its culture.
People who disagree with you don't hate America. They don't "want the terrorists to win" -- they just have a different vision of what America is and what's to really be valued about it than you do.
|
|
|
Obligatory. Politics. Discuss. n/t
[View all] , Eskelian, Thu 31-Aug-06 02:30 AM
Thread locked on account of sprawl.,
Valguarnera,
13-Sep-06 09:12 AM, #123
This essey pretty much sums up my current world view.,
Odrirg,
03-Sep-06 01:27 AM, #16
RE: Vitriol:,
Valguarnera,
05-Sep-06 03:26 PM, #17
RE: Vitriol:,
DurNominator,
05-Sep-06 04:06 PM, #19
Wow... just wow....,
Tac,
05-Sep-06 03:57 PM, #18
RE: Wow... just wow....,
Valguarnera,
05-Sep-06 04:32 PM, #20
Heh...,
Tac,
05-Sep-06 04:37 PM, #21
This is a Fallacious argument.,
(NOT Pro),
06-Sep-06 06:25 PM, #30
RE: "Mexican invasion",
Valguarnera,
07-Sep-06 02:58 PM, #47
Why won't they legalize it?,
Tac,
07-Sep-06 03:02 PM, #48
My take:,
Valguarnera,
07-Sep-06 03:18 PM, #49
RE: Why won't they legalize it?,
nepenthe,
07-Sep-06 03:27 PM, #50
RE: Why won't they legalize it?,
Eskelian,
07-Sep-06 10:24 PM, #77
RE: Why won't they legalize it?,
Eskelian,
07-Sep-06 10:33 PM, #78
We'll probably have to kill them all. nt,
Aodh,
08-Sep-06 12:26 AM, #80
RE: Why won't they legalize it?,
Isildur,
07-Sep-06 03:41 PM, #52
You pointed out the danger.,
(NOT Pro),
07-Sep-06 04:32 PM, #55
RE: You pointed out the danger.,
nepenthe,
07-Sep-06 05:47 PM, #64
Uhm.. Geography.,
(NOT Pro),
07-Sep-06 06:28 PM, #71
Don't marginalize the harm of it however.,
Eskelian,
07-Sep-06 10:18 PM, #76
RE: Don't marginalize the harm of it however.,
Muuloc,
08-Sep-06 01:40 AM, #83
Quick note on that:,
Valguarnera,
08-Sep-06 08:55 AM, #84
RE: Quick note on that:,
Eskelian,
08-Sep-06 09:01 AM, #86
Whoops.,
Valguarnera,
08-Sep-06 09:38 AM, #89
According to Darwyn,
(NOT Pro),
08-Sep-06 10:16 AM, #94
Thats absurd.,
Eskelian,
08-Sep-06 08:55 AM, #85
RE: Don't marginalize the harm of it however.,
Isildur,
08-Sep-06 09:45 AM, #91
Completely rational.,
(NOT Pro),
08-Sep-06 10:17 AM, #95
3.4% of our GNP goes to the military.,
(NOT Pro),
08-Sep-06 10:13 AM, #93
Do you even know what a GNP is?,
Valguarnera,
08-Sep-06 12:43 PM, #102
Military R&D is 72B I think.,
(NOT Pro),
08-Sep-06 07:12 PM, #104
Eventually, we'll be able to kill everyone! ~,
Aodh,
08-Sep-06 09:18 PM, #107
RE: This is a Fallacious argument.,
Muuloc,
08-Sep-06 01:34 AM, #82
Why?,
(NOT Pro),
08-Sep-06 10:18 AM, #96
As a 17 year Veteran....,
(NOT Pro),
06-Sep-06 06:04 PM, #29
RE: As a 17 year Veteran....,
nepenthe,
06-Sep-06 11:07 PM, #34
RE: As a 17 year Veteran....,
(NOT Pro),
07-Sep-06 01:38 AM, #35
RE: As a 17 year Veteran....,
nepenthe,
07-Sep-06 08:53 AM, #37
It's worth noting that:,
Valguarnera,
07-Sep-06 11:04 AM, #40
RE: It's worth noting that:,
nepenthe,
07-Sep-06 01:28 PM, #41
Question:,
Tac,
07-Sep-06 02:02 PM, #42
To me this is the equivilant of saying.,
(NOT Pro),
07-Sep-06 02:09 PM, #44
RE: To me this is the equivilant of saying.,
A2,
07-Sep-06 02:30 PM, #45
Who once said it needed to be in a bubble? Anyone?,
(NOT Pro),
07-Sep-06 04:35 PM, #56
RE: To me this is the equivilant of saying.,
Tac,
07-Sep-06 02:59 PM, #46
RE: To me this is the equivilant of saying.,
Isildur,
07-Sep-06 03:34 PM, #51
RE: To me this is the equivilant of saying.,
Tac,
07-Sep-06 03:58 PM, #53
The fair tax is a Great idea.,
(NOT Pro),
07-Sep-06 04:40 PM, #59
RE: The fair tax is a Great idea.,
Isildur,
07-Sep-06 04:58 PM, #62
Heh. nt,
Wilhath,
07-Sep-06 06:11 PM, #69
RE: To me this is the equivilant of saying.,
Isildur,
07-Sep-06 04:49 PM, #60
One dose of insanity....,
Tac,
07-Sep-06 05:49 PM, #65
30 Million Illegals in 10 years.,
(NOT Pro),
07-Sep-06 04:39 PM, #58
RE: 30 Million Illegals in 10 years.,
Isildur,
07-Sep-06 05:08 PM, #63
It grew.,
(NOT Pro),
07-Sep-06 08:06 PM, #72
I think we should stop ALL immigration,
(NOT Pro),
07-Sep-06 04:37 PM, #57
So can we deport you?,
Tac,
07-Sep-06 05:51 PM, #67
RE: I think we should stop ALL immigration,
Eskelian,
07-Sep-06 10:00 PM, #75
Where I think a lot of you misunderstand me is here....,
(NOT Pro),
08-Sep-06 10:09 AM, #92
RE: To me this is the equivilant of saying.,
Eskelian,
07-Sep-06 09:58 PM, #74
RE: To me this is the equivilant of saying.,
Eshval,
13-Sep-06 12:55 AM, #118
RE: To me this is the equivilant of saying.,
Valkenar,
13-Sep-06 08:39 AM, #120
It's worth noting also that I got seriously ####ed up o...,
(NOT Pro),
07-Sep-06 02:05 PM, #43
Wait till they slash your benefits. ~ (Blackbird),
Aodh,
07-Sep-06 06:26 PM, #70
They keep increasing mine.,
(NOT Pro),
08-Sep-06 10:19 AM, #97
A quote...,
Barduin,
07-Sep-06 04:02 PM, #54
Patriotism is hilarious,
Valkenar,
05-Sep-06 05:29 PM, #22
RE: This essey pretty much sums up my current world vie...,
nepenthe,
05-Sep-06 05:59 PM #23
Losing would be allowing OUR government to become like ...,
TheLastMohican,
05-Sep-06 08:04 PM, #24
devil's advocate question for the peanut gallery. txt,
Isildur,
06-Sep-06 04:08 PM, #25
RE: devil's advocate question for the peanut gallery. t...,
Tac,
06-Sep-06 04:56 PM, #26
I wrote out this whole long thing that the forum ate...,
Wilhath,
06-Sep-06 05:36 PM, #28
RE: devil's advocate,
Valguarnera,
06-Sep-06 05:25 PM, #27
RE: devil's advocate,
(NOT Pro),
06-Sep-06 09:48 PM, #31
No offense Valg, but Pro will never learn.,
TheLastMohican,
06-Sep-06 10:36 PM, #32
Sure he will....,
Tac,
06-Sep-06 10:43 PM, #33
It is a bad topic for this board.,
(NOT Pro),
07-Sep-06 01:54 AM, #36
RE: It is a bad topic for this board.,
Isildur,
07-Sep-06 10:25 AM, #39
RE: It is a bad topic for this board.,
Valkenar,
07-Sep-06 04:53 PM, #61
LAUGH!,
(NOT Pro),
08-Sep-06 07:20 PM, #105
Seek counseling.,
Valguarnera,
07-Sep-06 05:50 PM, #66
*edit*,
Wilhath,
07-Sep-06 06:05 PM, #68
RE: devil's advocate,
Isildur,
07-Sep-06 10:20 AM, #38
RE: This essey pretty much sums up my current world vie...,
Muuloc,
08-Sep-06 01:30 AM, #81
Vague Topic,
Amaranthe,
31-Aug-06 03:39 PM, #3
RE: Vague Topic,
Grurk Muouk,
31-Aug-06 03:53 PM, #4
RE: Vague Topic,
nepenthe,
31-Aug-06 05:50 PM, #5
RE: Vague Topic,
Amaranthe,
31-Aug-06 06:52 PM, #6
RE: Vague Topic,
Eskelian,
31-Aug-06 08:08 PM, #8
RE: Vague Topic,
Isildur,
01-Sep-06 10:56 AM, #9
RE: Vague Topic,
Eskelian,
01-Sep-06 05:11 PM, #10
RE: Vague Topic,
Isildur,
01-Sep-06 11:54 PM, #11
RE: Vague Topic,
Eskelian,
07-Sep-06 09:50 PM, #73
RE: Vague Topic,
nepenthe,
07-Sep-06 11:04 PM, #79
Bingo. n/t,
Eskelian,
08-Sep-06 09:04 AM, #87
RE: Vague Topic,
Tac,
08-Sep-06 09:15 AM, #88
RE: Vague Topic,
nepenthe,
08-Sep-06 10:49 AM, #99
They *are* seperate issues,
Tac,
08-Sep-06 11:42 AM, #100
RE: They *are* seperate issues,
nepenthe,
08-Sep-06 07:28 PM, #106
I gotta ask,
Minyar,
12-Sep-06 01:37 PM, #108
I've been meaning to respond to this.... (Nepenthe's),
Tac,
12-Sep-06 02:43 PM, #109
RE: I've been meaning to respond to this.... (Nepenthe'...,
nepenthe,
12-Sep-06 03:48 PM, #111
RE: I've been meaning to respond to this.... (Nepenthe'...,
Tac,
12-Sep-06 04:30 PM, #112
RE: I've been meaning to respond to this.... (Nepenthe'...,
nepenthe,
12-Sep-06 05:41 PM, #113
Come on now Nep,
Minyar,
12-Sep-06 05:58 PM, #114
Except:,
Valguarnera,
12-Sep-06 08:59 PM, #115
Two words: Turing Test,
Tac,
12-Sep-06 09:19 PM, #116
RE: Two words: Turing Test,
Valguarnera,
12-Sep-06 11:37 PM, #117
RE: Two words: Turing Test,
Tac,
13-Sep-06 08:47 AM, #121
RE: Two words: Turing Test,
Valkenar,
13-Sep-06 09:05 AM, #122
RE: I gotta ask,
nepenthe,
12-Sep-06 03:22 PM, #110
The problem is Choice, Nepenthe,
wretchedmongrel,
13-Sep-06 02:43 AM, #119
RE: Vague Topic,
Isildur,
08-Sep-06 09:38 AM, #90
RE: Vague Topic,
nepenthe,
08-Sep-06 10:40 AM, #98
According to wikipedia....,
Tac,
08-Sep-06 11:46 AM, #101
RE: Vague Topic,
Isildur,
08-Sep-06 12:42 PM, #103
RE: Vague Topic,
Amaranthe,
02-Sep-06 11:20 AM, #12
RE: Vague Topic,
Isildur,
02-Sep-06 11:45 AM, #13
RE: Vague Topic,
Amaranthe,
02-Sep-06 02:45 PM, #14
RE: Vague Topic,
Eskelian,
31-Aug-06 08:07 PM, #7
From my blog eariler this month:,
Grurk Muouk,
31-Aug-06 08:17 AM, #1
RE: From my blog eariler this month:,
Isildur,
31-Aug-06 02:32 PM, #2
RE: From my blog eariler this month:,
Isildur,
02-Sep-06 04:15 PM, #15
| |
|