I respect your position Raymond. I'm not attacking your beliefs directly. Just trying to promote discussion and open-minded thought to which we are both inclined.
I just believe that the whole 'freedom' thing is dogma and a pile of shit. Ok so you can burn your flag. The freedom of America is always bolstered BY comparing the American 'way of life' against other countries which is an almost always an unfair comparison given cultural differences. I believe that you'll find a situation over the next 20 years where the very definition of freedom will no longer have any meaning. How 'free' is someone who is defined by their consumer behaviour. That they existence (which is already the case now) is defined by their shopping libidos. They are bombarded with corporate advertising. They have only to choose between Wal-Mart, Nike, Microsoft, StarBucks. Wasn't the American dream the idea that you could work and if you were creative enough, you could make alot of money. How possible is that for the average American now that corporations completely run the show? If you want some stories of extreme corporate aggression, I've give you plenty. The mantra of America is not freedom. The mantra of American is OIL, disposable nappies and the big Mac. There is no 'freedom' in this lifestyle. Only the 'idea' of freedom exists and this is quickly being eroded. The media is a self policed propaganda machine easily comparable to the Nazis or the communists only MUCH more dangerous, because information is no longer information. Information IS entertainment and entertainment is the perfect vehicle for propaganda. Another MAJOR problem i have with the states is that America's so called freedoms are designed to protect American only (thus giving them great personal freedom and power than the other people of the world). Example. Only Americans are allowed to vote for the position often touted as the 'most powerful office in the world'. The other 90% of the world which is hugely effected by the American presidency don't have a say at all. Another problem is the ruthless corporate cannibalism of American mulit-nationals that exploit and destroy other nations and the environment through there practises. These mostly American companies do business outside of America so they can circumvent the 'protective' laws of freedom and justice so precious to America. In other word, if it ain't on our shore, then who gives a fuck. Like Nike says, a dollar a day is a GOOD wage for a woman in Indonesia making $150.00 shoes. Same with American politics. A lot of Americans I have spoken with seem to hold this opinion (which was even express by Colin Powell) that America is the police force and is always protecting 'freedom' around the global. This is another piece of total shit. America will only get involved in conflict directly if it has self interest. Never, as they would have their people (and the rest of the world believe) for the sake of liberating a country in the ideals of freedom. Americans ACTUALLY said to me. "next time Australia is threatened, don't be asking for our help..." Can you believe the arrogance! benjamin ----- Original Message ----- From: "Raymond Camden" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "CF-Community" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2001 7:43 AM Subject: RE: The Anti Terrorism Act.. > > > > How can you be proud of America? What is there to be proud of? > > > > You're kidding, right? I'm proud of many things. I'm proud of our > freedoms, which, while not perfect, are _very_ strong, especially > compared to other countries. Shoot, I don't think even England has a > true 1st Amendment type protection (although, if I'm wrong, please > correct.) I'm proud that I have the right to tell off my elected leaders > any time I choose. I'm proud I live in a country where people can burn > the flag, the symbol of our nation, if they so choose, even though I > think it's horrible to do so. I'm proud that I have the right to travel > across my country at will. The right to worship as I see fit. > > I have complained about my country in the past, and I'll do so again. > Just like my job. I like the company I work for. I'm proud of my > company. Have I seen them do things I don't agree with? Dang right I > have, and I let people in charge know about it. It doesn't mean I'm > being less "loyal" or supportive. > > I could go on and on, but what's the point. The issue here is that, > well, it seems like your saying I should hate my country. That's silly. > Show me a country that has never made a mistake, or done anything wrong. > Then, show me a _person_ who has done that. By your logic, no one or no > country would measure up. > > I'll say it again. Patriotism is not wrong. It is certainly _not_ the > most important thing in the world. I care a lot about the condition of > the other countries in the world. Caring and supporting my country is > not impossible while at the same time caring about the world. I do not > belive my country is perfect. It's certainly no more or less perfect > than I am. > > -RC > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Your ad could be here. Monies from ads go to support these lists and provide more resources for the community. http://www.fusionauthority.com/ads.cfm Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/index.cfm?sidebar=lists
