Neither, actually. But most of the statements that get my knee jerking in response tend to be the:
America is evil. It's all about oil. America doesn't care who gets hurt. Big bullies. You have to ask the UN You have to ask the Allies You have to ask the International Community (which tends to mean those UN countries who disagree with the US) What did Saddam ever do to deserve this? It's all about the Palestinians America deserves it. And on a national level Democrats/Republicans/Liberals/Conservatives are evil. ... And on a local level Southies/Western Mass/Tourists/Pakistanis(by Indians)/Indians(by Pakistanis) are evil ... There are usually no facts presented on the other side of the argument, just the "fact" that the statement speaks for itself. And since everyone agrees, I have to accept it wholesale as a fact. Those are the kind of arguments that get my "defend America" reflex going. I don't think I am alone in this. I think it is a fairly human sentiment. And I try to work my way past it once the initial emotion has settled. As for not doing the US any favors. I don't care. Screw 'em. Maybe Thurman and Helms had it right. EEEEK. Look what you made me type. (Deep breaths) Jerry Johnson >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 02/04/03 11:00AM >>> > I would disagree. I don't think it is a ridiculous standpoint. In > fact, I think it is patriotic and my duty to try to counter the > anti-American rhetoric that has the internet awash (not > neccessarily from you). I'm bad at it, but I still think it is > neccessary to balance the vocal (but minority) America bad, > anything else good. Jerry, do you consider yourself a patriot or a yes man? Just defending the US against any criticism isn't doing the US any favors. In my opinion, a better approach is to consider the criticism, weigh it in light of a variety of perspectives, and make a judgement on whether it's wrong or perhaps it's valid. Then react appropriately. And if it is a valid criticism that may mean agreeing with it and disagreeing with our own President or foreign policies. I'm not a yes man for the President. I'm a self-aware and critical thinker and participant in our democratic process. Sometimes, that means acknowledging that America IS doing the bad thing, and being willing to speak up about it. I'm not calling you, or anyone else here, a "yes man". I leave that up to you all to decide for yourselves. -Kevin ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| Archives: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/index.cfm?forumid=5 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/index.cfm?method=subscribe&forumid=5 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 Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=89.70.5
