I have to say that I thought "Intelligent Design" (the name is a joke in
itself) was an American invention. It certainly seems to have been taken
up by Americans in a much bigger way than elsewhere. And as for an
unwillingness to discuss issues, I don't think Americans can claim to be
better in that regard than Canada or Sweden, which are not countries that
many people would lump together with China when discussing restrictions on
liberties.
As for bans on firearms: would you still want a handgun if nobody else had
one? And if so, why?
John
On Wed, 28 Sep 2005 17:52:45 +0100, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Wed, 28 Sep 2005 02:54:37 -0700
It's just that words change meaning with languages and geography.
Especially in
politics were the winner may try to degrade the views of the opponent.
Liberal is slightly on the right wing here, but may be understood as
left
wing
in the US, and I've met americans who cant understand how we can have a
socialist government in a democracy. They think it is the same thing as
communism.
DagT
Dag,
We know that they're not the same. But they are first cousins.
In Europe, it seems, "Liberal" has maintained more of the classic
meaning of "open minded" where in the US it's somewhat mixed between
that and "socialist".
What many of us fear is the constant reduction of freedom from the
more serious socialists. The bans on firearms, certain religious speech
(Canada and Sweden in particular), a general unwillingness to discuss
issues but instead demagogue ideas (like Intelligent Design),
restrictions
on travel (China), excessive taxation, and so many other problems that,
even with our failings, there's no sense in losing even more freedom than
we already have.
KC8TKA
(These letters represent a level of liberty that has been lost in many
countries,
both socialist and totalitarian. "Tiananmen Square" and the power of the
fax
machine [open communication] should never be forgotten. One should not
even consider
some of this open-minded internet-based discussion in China.)
Collin (rejecting both communist socialists and national socialists)
Brendemuehl
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