Remember: our rules allow pointed disagreement, but require respectful discussion.
--
Robb Clarksen wrote:
> To do anything less than what Cam originally suggested in his post is basically
> ANTI AMERICAN.
I see, to have an opinion different than Mr. Gordon's is not acceptable and
allows one to be persecuted as anti-American. Thank you for providing an
example of the issue I was trying to illustrate.
After witnessing two race riots in Los Angeles I've noticed a
pattern. In the aftermath, a number of politicians and celebrities skitter
on down, make statements and then skitter on out again, but in between
they're nowhere to be found. Living on the streets in L.A. I've learned that
you don't listen to what people say, you listen to what they do. Fighting
discrimination isn't affirmed by a photo opportunity, it's affirmed
by living and acting day-to-day. Taking a stand against discrimination is
easy when you're surrounded by like-minded people, it's much tougher
when you stand alone and the cost may be your friends, your career, or
your life. So, how many people on that Northwest jet got off along with the
three people who were ejected? How many of the passengers spoke up for
their rights as Americans? What would you have done with a plane load
of people against you? Truthfully. If my neighborhood is any example
it is most likely you would have done nothing.
> We need to remember who we are and how we got here. Unless you have ties to a
>reservation, then at some point you are basically the descendant of an immigrant to
>this country. Where does that put you in the mix?
Ah, so since my ancestry extends back 40,000 years on this continent I have special
rights over and above those of other Americans. I hate to tell you, but everyone
one in this country is a descendant of an immigrant, it's just a matter of how
recent. "So why don't you go back where your ancestors came from?" What
a ridiculous concept.
> It puts you in the same place as any Muslim person in this country, which was
>founded because in part...as a people early immigrant Americans were persecuted for
>religion in England. If we continue to attack muslims in this country we might as
>well burn a flag too.
I don't know about you, but I have not been attacking Muslims, either
verbally or physically. Please don't include me in your "we." Although
there is little I agree with Paul Wellstone about, he has my respect for taking
a stand on an issue that could have cost him his career: he spoke out against a
constitutional amendment banning flag burning. I believe that if Mr. Wellstone
has been on that Northwest flight that the headline would have read: There
Arabs and One Jew Removed from Flight.
We should stand up for ALL of the rights of our fellow Americans not
just those which fit our own biases or agenda.
Michael Atherton
Prospect Park
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