E
eric
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Keep in mind freedom of speech must be exercised with responsibility.
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Originally posted by jimnyc
Yes, I believe in free speech. Do you understand the concept?
Let's suppose you are enrolled in a major college university and are majoring in history. You have differing opinions than the professor, so you decide to get up in front of the class daily and yell "F*^& Y%$, professor"! Does freedom of speech give you that right, or will you likely be expelled from school within an hour? You DO have the right to picket outside school property, but freedom of speech is not absolute.
Originally posted by Jackass
Whats that supposed to mean?
Originally posted by vyxen
Jimster, my parents were married when I was born, tyvm. Now, go cook me dinner you effeminate wanker.
Originally posted by jimnyc
Stop with your repetitive bullshit. Why don't you try offering something to the board instead of your constant need for confrontation?
Continue in this fashion and you're gone.
Originally posted by vyxen
No more repetitive than you calling me a fatty, eh partner?
Ban me, I don't give a shit.
Originally posted by Creek
How would anyone of us know if you're fat...?
Originally posted by NightTrain
Issac :
Believe it or not, I really do think the Iraq war will benefit the USA and the world.
I think everyone can agree that the middle east has a very real and complex problem with extremism. I don't think it's due entirely to the financial situation of John Q. Public there, but I do think it's a part of it.
What's in common with all of the countries that have terrorists springing up? Fundamentalist Islamic governments. You've got a very small number of people controlling 99% of that country's wealth and resources. In order to maintain their cush positions, they have to divert attention away from the government (who is really responsible for the peasants' plight) to another scapegoat. These days, that would be America. Israel, it goes without saying, is always there to take the heat.
Religion should be separate from government to prevent religious leaders of a certain faith from oppressing & murdering people of differing faiths. It can do great good, but also great evil.
With a democracy established in Iraq (and I really don't know how we're going to introduce the concept of separation of Church and State and that's going to be crucial), the people of Iraq will begin to enjoy the freedoms and liberty that all of us in North America and Europe take for granted. Then a person can go as far as his/her ambitions take them based on that person's abilities, rather than who they're related to or what faith they are.
When that happens, all of the neighboring countries are going to sit up and take notice - and wonder why they can't have what the Iraqis have.
It's the Domino theory, and I sure as hell hope it works - if there is a successful Democracy established in Iraq, I don't see how it can fail. It's been done in the past, and I'm optimistic about this attempt.
Iran, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the others are all watching very closely this attempt of ours to give the Iraqis a modern government, and they know what's at stake - their positions and very possibly their lives. The last thing they want is a flourishing democracy next door - that's why there are so many foriegn fighters showing up and fighting our troops, and assassinating any new Iraqi official trying to move forward with reconstruction.
I disagree. We haven't had any more attacks on American soil since the gloves came off. The terrorists wanted a fight, and we're giving it to them in spades.
Minneapolis is quite stellar in the fall, especially along the banks of the Mississippi.
However, to call Iraq a fundamentalist country I think is flat out wrong.
I honestly believe that Osama hates Saddam's form of government probably as much as the US's form of government. Of course it could also be argued that an enemy or your enemy is your friend... but I don't think either of us will get far proving that point either way.
Originally posted by NightTrain
Yes, it truly is. I was born in St. Paul... haven't been around there much lately, though, except passing through when I fly from AK to Minneapolis, and drive to Northern Wisconsin to see my family.
You're absolutely correct, I didn't mean to lump Iraq in with the rest of the region. I was speaking about the surrounding countries in the region. Iraq was secular, no question about that. My apologies, Issac, I should have been more clear on that.
That brings up an interesting point, though. I can't think of one Iraqi terrorist. While Saddam was enough of a madman without introducing fundamentalism, I think it's interesting that no terrorists were springing forth from secular Iraq, when every neighboring country has produced more than its' fair share.
Coincidence?
I read several articles saying there was no love lost between Saddam and OBL. However, I think you hit it on the head there, Issac, with the old 'The enemy of my enemy is therefore my friend'. There were many times during the Cold War that we were forced to buddy up to unsavory characters to achieve an end. Right or wrong, it was done all the time.
There were links between the two, however. And they both shared an intense hatred of the USA.
They each brought something to the table that the other needed, logistically. OBL needed a powerful dictator to provide safe haven & certain weapons that are hard to come by. Saddam needed a way to be able to strike out and have plausible deniability.
I can't prove that last paragraph, it's a guess on my part based on everything I've read & documentaries I've watched (I'm addicted to the History Channel). Just so you don't call me out on it.
As far as the Canadian Bashing... I can only speak for myself, of course, but I bear no ill will toward Canadians. I've driven through Canada many times driving to and from Alaska to the Lower 48. Your Mounties were always polite & very helpful when completely lost Americans flagged them down in downtown Edmonton. (MAN that's a huge city!) We were taken advantage of at certain gas stations with regard to the exchange rate - but we have more than our fair share of unscrupulous types in the States, too.
There have been silly things said from your politians that pissed a great many Americans off, but that's what politians the world over seem do best. But, when you keep hearing things like that, you begin to wonder.
Take that Italian nut case.. I've been laughing my ass off for 6 months now with the way he keeps pissing off France and Germany. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if he 'disappears'.
I didn't know that, Issac, about the blood drive. That's great to hear.
Yet another superb post on your part, it's been a pleasure.