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John Doe 12-14-2006 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suginami (Post 1357767)
After reading your posts, dacia, I think you hate America more than anyone I know.

Sad.

Its not really sad, Paul. Think of it this way: a lot of women hate my wife because she is beautiful.....

Plus, Alex and Vronsky are contributing to our economy by accelerating post counts by themselves and their responders. The more posts on this site, the more attractive it is to advertisers. The more advertisers are willing to pay, the more the owners make and pay taxes upon. They could be making money for websites from their countries, but they choose to share with us. I think that is touching.

mrhills0146 12-14-2006 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dacia (Post 1357728)

Actually, no. If you don’t like what I have to say, you have the option to use the ignore button, prove me wrong or conversely change the channel. What you don’ have the right here is to tell me where I should go.

Alex

To the contrary I most certainly do have the right to tell you where to go. You have the right to not listen. Or do you not get that?

I will, however, take the high road and not tell you where I would truly like you to go. There is too much good knowledge on this site for me to keep my old MB on the road for me to risk being banned.

You have the most extraordinary ability to talk and talk and type and type a rather impressive amount of words while saying almost nothing.

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

PaulC 12-14-2006 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dacia (Post 1357728)
I bring Rosa ParkS as an example how the Civil War didn’t solve the racial discrimination and inequity once and for all (as you have implied), you claim her as one of your (“white America”) own, I doubt the validity of that assertion and this makes me belittle her? Interesting perspective.
I have never declared that my birthplace was/is free of all social ills, but I also don't force it down on everybody's throath, with never ending devotion, that living in my country is the sollution to all that is wrong in this world.
I didn’t have to “claim” any of those mentioned social ills (cross burning, lynching, slavery, decaffeinated coffee, etc.), they are in your history books. I believe the term “race riots for years” is justified when talking about continuous riots spanning almost a decade. After the 80’s they were not connected to the civil rights movement, however some elements of society seem to have problems with the justice afforded to them in the best country in the world.
United States
Civil Rights and Black Power Movement's Period: 1955 - 1977
• 1964: Harlem, NY
• 1965: Watts
• 1966: Hough Riots, Cleveland, Ohio
• 1967: Detroit
• 1967: Newark
• 1968: Nationwide riots following the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.
• 1969: York, Pennsylvania race riots
• 1970: Jackson State killings
• 1971: Camden, N.J. (1971) - Camden Riots
• 1972: Escambia High riots; Pensacola, Florida
Modern
• 1980: Miami riot
• 1980: Chattanooga riot
• 1992: Los Angeles riots:
• 2001: Cincinnati riots:


That is a rather sad statement made by a citizen of the greatest and most just society on Earth.
In a true democracy the will of the Vox Populi should peacefully prevail (while protecting minorities regardless of the democratic will of the people), it seems that this will was somewhat detrimental to the freedom of certain ethnic groups in the US, hence the black riots for nearly two centuries. I am not sure how Lincoln’s assassination ties in with King’s, unless you want to show that nothing has changed in 100 years because both were shot by racist white people.



I could never make such a claim; I don’t know the minds of all white people in America.
The slavery had “officially” ended after a war between two (mostly)white armies, subsequently laws were enacted to protect the rights of the minority, and white people were involved in the civil rights movement in the 60’s, so the answer is obvious. The slavery issue was brought into the argument to show that, in reality, the US was/is far from being just and equal to all.


I don’t have to, my contention was that as a member of a society as imperfect as the US is, you shouldn’t disparage another whose negative contribution to world peace could never even touch the enormity of the suffering caused by and continue to be caused by your country’s foreign policy.
And since it (the US) is the greatest hope for all man kind, it shouldn’t have to emulate anybody for, according to the statements made by president after president, it is the facto heaven on Earth.


If you had never owned one I am curious where the dislike is coming from. I have owned several Renaults, I found them very reliable and trustworthy, the same which can not be said about the Mercury Capri I had the misfortune of purchasing back in the very late 80’s (thinking what the h*ll, I should support the local economy). Your mileage may vary.

Yes, the constitution is an important safeguard of individual rights, even if it had to evolve, I never claimed otherwise. Of course it was influenced by ideas from that morally corrupt and uppity Europe, but it turned out to be a good piece of work nonetheless.

“Historical influences
In some instances historians disagree on the specific international influences on the overall development of the Constitution, possibly because of the large variety of sources that are available. Several of the ideas in the Constitution were new, and that a large number of ideas were drawn from the literature of republicanism, from the experiences of the 13 states, and from the British experience with mixed government. The most important influence from the European continent was from Charles de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu. who emphasized the need to have balanced forces pushing against each other to prevent tryanny. (This in itself reflects the influence of Polybius' second century BC treatise on the checks and balances of the constitution of the Roman Republic). John Locke is known to be a mild influence, and the due process clause of the United States Constitution was partly based on common law stretching back to the Magna Carta of 1215.”

“Bill of Rights
The United States Bill of Rights were the ten amendments added to the Constitution in 1791, as the supporters had promised opponents during the debates of 1788. The English Bill of Rights (1689) was an inspiration for the American Bill of Rights. For example, both require jury trials, contain a right to bear arms, and prohibit excessive bail and of “cruel and unusual punishments.” Many liberties protected by state constitutions and the Virginia Declaration of Rights were incorporated into the United States Bill of Rights”

Actually, no. If you don’t like what I have to say, you have the option to use the ignore button, prove me wrong or conversely change the channel. What you don’ have the right here is to tell me where I should go.

I am not sure who “promised” you that land, but you did not “fight” and “win”, "slaughter" and "exterminate" would be the better choice of words.
Now would among those “bottom feeders”, “failures in their cesspool" included your ancestors as well, or just the people who came after you were born?
Or perhaps I completely misunderstood the meaning of that statement?
"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free."
I read this a couple of years ago, on some island, on a statue given by that pesky, cheese munching, wine sucking, beret wearing, tricolor waiving Gallic Rooster, is it not there anymore?

Alex

Sorry to hear about your misfortunes with your Capri. Without condoning or agreeing with virtually anything you have previously stated, I am withdrawing from this discussion. I provide you with the Last Word.

suginami 12-14-2006 12:40 PM

After finishing my bowl of corn flakes, rinsing out the bowl and loading the dishwasher, I grabbed my cup of tea and walked into my home office to get to work, and the following thought ocurred to me.

Dacia, I find it peculiar that you know so much and have so many historical references about a country that you loathe and abhor.

What are you? A U.S. history professor?

Or are you just great at doing Google searches?

A264172 12-14-2006 12:44 PM

The crimes of the mosquito will always pale when compared with the crimes of the lion.

LaRondo 12-14-2006 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suginami (Post 1357799)
After finishing my bowl of corn flakes, rinsing out the bowl and loading the dishwasher, I grabbed my cup of tea and walked into my home office to get to work, and the following thought ocurred to me.

Dacia, I find it peculiar that you know so much and have so many historical references about a country that you loathe and abhor.

What are you? A U.S. history professor?

Or are you just great at doing Google searches?

It is not unusual for people outside the US knowing more about this country than the average US citizen ...

LaRondo 12-14-2006 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A264172 (Post 1357802)
The crimes of the mosquito will always pale when compared with the crimes of the lion.

I recommend Key Largo at sundown ....

A264172 12-14-2006 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaRondo (Post 1358014)
I recommend Key Largo at sundown ....

The lion would agree.

Botnst 12-14-2006 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaRondo (Post 1358013)
It is not unusual for people outside the US knowing more about this country than the average US citizen ...

I doubt you can prove that.

There are 300 M citizens in the USA and about 6 Bn people worldwide.

Of the 5.7 Bn non-Americans, almost 3.5 Bn are Chinese, Pakistani, Indian, or African peasants. Most of them don't know what its beyond a day's walk from their farm. That leaves Europeans, Russians, and South Americans, the Stans countries, Oceania, and South America. Probably half of that total population is industrialized and has available a modern educational system.

I have a feeling you have the typical Euro-centric view of the world. It's bigger than that. Most of the population of the Earth is desperately poor, stone-ignorant, and live extraordinarily superstitious lives, by Euro-centric standards.

B

PaulC 12-14-2006 05:55 PM

Anyway, Merry Christmas!

Hatterasguy 12-14-2006 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulC (Post 1358089)
Anyway, Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you as well!:cool:

cmac2012 12-14-2006 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim (Post 1357452)
And sometimes, that "wise man" also gets his throat slit by his enemies.

As opposed to you spitting on it? Seems like that is a common phrase with you. Once again, I don't say that this place is perfect. It just happens to be the best one I can find, hence I am here. If it wasn't, I'd be there, where ever "there" might be. You, OTOH, seem to be constantly implying, from your posts, that only evil comes when the flag is raised. Therefore, my challenge to you is to find another place where only goodness gushes from it and let me know about it.

Well, duh. Mr. Literal strikes again. The point of that quote is that sometimes a person is one's enemy for good reason. Most every great philosopher or savant has spoken some variation on the them that others often see our failings better than we do.

Your friends are less likely to point out your failings than are you enemies.

I wish I could have more reverence for how the flag has been displayed in the recent past. The notion that we're the greatest in the world is widespread (here anyway), and the flag was poorly used in Vietnam and Nicaragua in my lifetime. Perhaps not literally raised in Nicaragua but the country was bludgeoned in the service of US interests for decades, and then again by our patrons, the contras.

There is a great humbling ahead for this country and I don't think it's going to be pleasant. Going on as we speak, I'm afraid.
Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim (Post 1357452)
Might or Might not. Don't eat the menu.

Huh?

cmac2012 12-14-2006 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dacia (Post 1356720)
True, human history is about conquest, but I never claimed that my people were the lightning rod for humanity.
Americans on the other hand:

“All too often, politicians rally their audience with inflated claims of American greatness. The United States is "the greatest country in the world." At other times, it is "the greatest country ever," "the greatest country ever conceived," or "the greatest country in the history of mankind." When the exuberance soars, America also "kicks ass!"

Nearly as often, one hears of the United States as the great Samaritan: second to none at 'civilizing' half-breed races. In the words of Abraham Lincoln, the United States is the "the last best hope of mankind," no less. More frequently, it is "the shining beacon on the hill." Recently, John Kerry, Democratic Presidential candidate, roused students at UCLA, "I believe we can bring a real victory in the War on Terror. I believe we must, not only for ourselves but for all who look to America as the last best hope of earth." I have to wonder if the Vietnamese civilians killed by Kerry and his crew also looked upon them as "the last best hope of earth."”
http://www.counterpunch.org/alam03232004.html
Alex

This is one of my main concerns about our international conduct. Pride is seriously dangerous stuff and we're choking on it to some degree.

We, the US, are in somewhat of no-win position though. Other nations expect us to be the deep-pocketed aid-machine, and we do that to some degree -- such as after the Sunami -- but the same tools that enable us to offer that kind of aid are also the tools we use for warfare, in large part.

And, people do want to live here more than in their own country, fairly often. Some of that is just due to sheer wealth, but much is due to our legal system, where the little guy has much more opportunity to seek redress from some wrong, private or gub-mint, than is common in much of the world.

But then we tarnish our good features with mis-adventures like Vietnam or the current repeat in Iraq.

I think the truth is somewhere in the middle. The US is good and bad. Hopefully enough people here can learn from our mistakes to move this thing forward.

Botnst 12-14-2006 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmac2012 (Post 1358100)
...The notion that we're the greatest in the world is widespread (here anyway), and the flag was poorly used in Vietnam and Nicaragua in my lifetime....

It was abused by cowards in the first instance and properly deployed in the second.

Ha!

B

cmac2012 12-14-2006 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst (Post 1358124)
It was abused by cowards in the first instance and properly deployed in the second.

Ha!

I doubt you can back that up. You calling me a coward, you mass murder and chemical warfare apologist, you?

Uno mas, read "The Nation," July 1, 1961, "Nicargaua: Another Cuba?" and splain to me why were right to prop up Somoza for decades and seek to utterly destroy the group that finally deposed him.


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