tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3046628493283608233.post3781381830019484247..comments2023-10-29T05:29:58.599-04:00Comments on Right-Side-of-Lowell: Why It MattersUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3046628493283608233.post-66043265047845610682013-01-27T21:22:17.765-05:002013-01-27T21:22:17.765-05:00The problem with Jack's argument is that the &...The problem with Jack's argument is that the "vile video" starts out talking about the oppression of a religious minority by a Muslim majority, in Egypt. Oppression of religiouis minorities is, in deed, vile. If our individual citizens cannot protest oppression overseas, then where are our rights? Where is our freedom?<br /><br />And, the First Amendment is out there for the lunatics. One of the problems with the Soviet Union was that it would declare those who descented as mentally incompetent and lock them away. That is a bad thing. Psychiatry as political oppression.<br /><br />And, at the end of the day, the descripton of what happened in Benghazi does matter, because it informs our foreign policy. If we ignore it, we are adrift.<br /><br />Regards — CliffC R Kriegerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10563658418464959198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3046628493283608233.post-22851975071314368112013-01-27T13:54:58.258-05:002013-01-27T13:54:58.258-05:00"... America has no business whatsoever to go..."... America has no business whatsoever to go nation building ..."<br /><br />Some would call this cowardly surrender. Not me, but some.<br /><br />Neal's scolding of Obama's foreign policy, while concurrently championing the Bush Doctrine and begging for isolationism, is nothing less than iconic of the erratic, convoluted irrationale of rightwingers who strive to be everywhere on these issues, so they can have a free hand to do as they please.<br /><br />American exceptionalism is to be deviod of integrity and principle, allowing the US to follow its whim.<br /><br />And, by "whim," I mean whatever the corporate feudal overlords desire.<br />...<br />If the good Pastor Jones aimed to assinate a foreign dignitary, authorities would be sanctioned to stop his effort. However, should Pastor Jones opt to undo decades of diplomacy, via a pyre of Korans, we are to sit on our hands?<br /><br />Cliff's point, though, must be considered. Why let yahoos in Cairo, reacting to our domestic yahoos, dictate the US doctrine?<br /><br />In the US, purveyours of political and diplomatic smut are free to do so. The WWW enables global impact.<br /><br />It could be considered "Democracy" if the will and sentiment of "We The People" could be transmitted, beyond the stewardship of our elected leaders.<br /><br />Unfortunately, to date, the transmissions seem to come from lunatics, unshackeled from responsibility, free to masturbate on the world stage.<br /><br />We, via elected leaders,are left to mop up the mess. Yes, that does matter.Jack Mitchellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3046628493283608233.post-62719029179864277482013-01-27T11:36:42.113-05:002013-01-27T11:36:42.113-05:00But it is just fine for Islamists to refer to Chri...But it is just fine for Islamists to refer to Christians as infidels and targets for elimination as part of a Muslim duty. I repeat a very valid axiom. Folks who stand for nothing will fall for anything. The DoS statement is nothing more than a breathlessly lofty appeasement....a step back from the Islamic line in the sand. We can expect that once THAT line is redrawn, we will retreat once more. <br /><br />To be sure, America has no business whatsoever to go nation building, especially when our own is such an endless work in progress. We are hardly a bunch to be emulated. Moreover, if we expect that others respect our sovereignty and sovereign rights, then we need to keep our donut grabbers off of theirs. Put another way, leave them alone. The ONLY time we have a duty and a RIGHT to interfere in the affairs of another nation state is if that country becomes a direct threat to our country. Arguably, the only instance that has been applicable in the last century was when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.<br /><br />If we don't like being stung....we need to stop banging on the beehives. <br /><br />As for the so called "offensive" video.....THAT is what America is about....or did anyone notice Christ in Urine. One person's art is another's abomination. It is called FREEDOM. <br /><br />I do find it curiously ironic that these Muslims who are so deeply offended by the video have no problem killing Christians and destroying anything that is representative of Christianity. Pardon me if I don't shed any crocodile tears over there being offended. Nealnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3046628493283608233.post-57799612668069207442013-01-27T11:02:00.264-05:002013-01-27T11:02:00.264-05:00"... it is incumbent upon the Department of S..."... <i>it is incumbent upon the Department of State and its Public Diplomacy program to make clear that we will not be curtaining any of our freedoms because of concerns overseas.</i>"<br /><br />Let's examine a statement issued by State, that was painted as an 'apology' by right wingers:<br /><i>The Embassy of the United States in Cairo <b>condemns the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims – as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions.</b><br />...<br />Today, the 11th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, Americans are <b>honoring our patriots and those who serve our nation as the fitting response to the enemies of democracy. Respect for religious beliefs is a cornerstone of American democracy.</b><br />...<br />We firmly reject the actions by those who abuse <b>the universal right of free speech</b> to hurt the religious beliefs of others</i><br />(bold and breaks mine)<br /><br />Apparently, the word "efforts" means "Youtube Video"?" The first part of the statement seems to ball the YT video up with other "efforts," to include the Koran burning escapades of 'Pastor' Terry Jones.<br /><br />Then, there is the obvious nod to neocons: "... the enemies of democracy." Come on. This is red meat for acolytes of Dick Cheney.<br /><br />Last, the assertion of a "universal right of free speech" should stir the empassioned souls of purveyors of nation building everywhere. Especially, when building nations in OUR image. How 'God-like.'Jack Mitchellnoreply@blogger.com