On Tue, 18 Feb 2003 18:31:44 -0800 (PST) Net Llama! <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> --- Bob Hemus <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Andrew Mathews wrote: > > > > > > Net Llama! wrote: > > > <snip> > > > > > > > > OK, i'll see your bet, and raise you this.... > > > > http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/8738139.html > > > > > > > <snip> > > > > > > Another valid point of view. I think the common point is, that no > > one > > > prays for peace more than the soldier. And it's funny how the > > countries > > > who criticize the free nations are the ones who fail miserably at > > being > > > one themselves. > > > The thing I personally value the most is the ability to discuss > > > differing points of view publicly without being imprisoned, > > tortured, or > > > executed, or live in fear of the possibility of such. And those who > > > differ in opinion can enjoy the same freedoms.<snip> > > > > Wasn't or isn't it JA who wants to tap 'phone lines, run the internet > > spy progran(name escapes me), arrest with out warrants and secret > > arrests, and hold prisoners without counsel to protect our freedoms? > > Yup. A common and noble US sentiment. The problem is that the rest of the world thinks (with some justification) that the US has replaced government censorship with the commercial 'censorship' of the news networks. Resulting in, perhaps, an equally slanted view on things. Which is worse? It is a difficult problem to know what the truth is. And now that news is global, the rest of the world sees what news is reported to people in the US. Another thing is that there are many countries in the world with the same (and - yes - more) freedoms as the US. The US has to stop thinking they have a monopoly on the stuff. In fact, people need to re-evaluate where the US ranks in freedoms. The immediate reaction is always "at the top". This has, of course, been historically true. But what about today? Many countries criticizing the US absolutely do NOT fall into the category of countries described in the post above. And the US is setting itself up to join the list of countries that do. (OK, a bit of an overreaction, perhaps. But I will reserve judgment on that,) -- +����������������������������+�������������������������������+ � Roger Oberholtzer � E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] � � OPQ Systems AB � WWW: http://www.opq.se/ � � Erik Dahlbergsgatan 41-43 � Phone: Int + 46 8 314223 � � 115 34 Stockholm � Mobile: Int + 46 733 621657 � � Sweden � Fax: Int + 46 8 302602 � +����������������������������+�������������������������������+ _______________________________________________ General mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.linux-sxs.org/mailman/listinfo/general
