Not much going on today, other than slowly trying to get into the week, after a delightful weekend. We hung out with friends on Friday and Saturday, and had dinner with a lovely couple last night, one of which was someone that James met this summer. They were quite nice, and I look forward to hanging out with them again. We don’t know very many long term gay couples, so it is good to meet one more.
I went shopping at Garden Ridge yesterday, and got a lot of awesome decorator things… I think that the decorating bug has bitten me a little harder than I expected. I will be posting some pictures of the new decorations when things are all put together and posh like I like them.
Other than that, there isn’t much to say, but I do have a few thoughts on a few things. Check these out:
Iraq’s Prime Minister says we can leave anytime; they don’t need our help. He also agrees with me, that our presence is driving more people to join up with al Qaeda. Do we still think that our presence is in their best interests? It’s becoming clearer and clearer each day that we are there to take something that we want; which is sickening. Come on America, when are we going to actually be decent people, and act like the “example” of “democracy” that we are shoving down the throats of every oppressive government in the world? We have got to practice what we preach before we will get anywhere that we could ever consider a positive place.
To sort of piggy back on that thought, I guess it is true that diplomacy is actually a viable option, one that should be explored before war. Apparently, since we came to an agreement that we were both comfortable with, North Korea decided to shut down their nuclear reactor. No more threat of nuclear weapons for N. Korea? It is probably not that simple, but it is a good step; one that we came to with agreement, and more importantly, peace. Why don’t we try something like that with Iran? I mean, a lot of the reason they are so angry with us, is because of our presence in Iraq, so perhaps we should start listening to what is going on in that region. Perhaps if we stopped talking long enough to listen, we could get somewhere… peacefully. Here’s hoping.
Not that I really needed another reason to think of him as completely despicable, and completely devoid of the ability to consider the real needs of American citizens, Bush is promising to veto a bill that would increase funding for providing uninsured children with health coverage. Interestingly enough, this will come at no expense to anyone other than smokers, many of whom, in my opinion, owe a bunch of these kids health care anyway; I know my parents smoked right in my face my whole childhood, and I am not at all in doubt that this is at least somehow linked to my bad allergies. I can almost guarantee that there are kids out there that are affected even more negatively by smoking parents; who would be paying for the uninsured kids out there that aren’t lucky enough to have parents wealthy enough to pay for health care.
If, by adding a tax to cigarettes, more children can have access to health care, can you please explain to me HOW is this a bad thing? Seriously, if you can give me one viable reason as to why this is bad in any way, let me know. (Just so you know, “more people will take advantage of the system” is a BS answer, before you try to shove that one down my throat again; there are regulations, standards, and qualification requirements on this program, which should eliminate MOST of the “free loaders”. That kind of mentality (which is apparently where the Bush camp is coming from) really makes me wonder why people don’t have more faith in those that are less fortunate in this country. Just because someone is poor doesn’t automatically make them a crook, a freeloader, or someone looking for a free ride or a handout. Have a little faith in people!). I for one, hope that he considers that these children are in this uninsured situation because of the way our economy works against the working class, and the poor; but I am sure that some one will be quick to step up and call them lazy assholes, rather than acknowledge that situations and circumstances are different for everyone, and not every homeless person is too lazy to get a job.
What has happened to our country, that we have lost all faith in people’s ability to be good? Do we live in such a culture of fear and hate that we will always blame, rather than consider the circumstances? Perhaps that is part of our problem in Iraq… and unfortunately, people all over the world see that we are being like that; whether we want to acknowledge it or not. I just wish things could be better; because I know we are capable of it.
Ugh… I guess that is a lot of thought for a Monday, but alas, there it is. Hope your day is going well!
Ah yes, poor Ahmadinejad — if we’d only listen to what he had to say. He’s just misunderstood:
“Anybody who recognizes Israel will burn in the fire of the Islamic nation’s fury.”
“There is no doubt that the new wave (of attacks) in Palestine will wipe off this stigma (Israel) from the face of the Islamic world, … The World without Zionism.â€
“[There is] no significant need for the United States.”
“They have invented a myth that Jews were massacred and place this above God, religions and the prophets.”
I’m in no way advocating war with Iran, but I suggest you listen to what Ahmadinjead has to say — and cheer on the brave students who are trying to bring down his reigme.
Oh, again with that whole “what one person says/believes goes for every single person in the middle east” routine? Seriously, when are you going to realize that the few should not dictate the punishment of many?
He’s the PRESIDENT. He runs the country. Fortunately, there is growing dissent within Iran, but Ahmadinejad is not a rational person. Why do you insist on ignorning the threat of radical Islam? If one Christian were beat up a gay person, you’d be marching on the streets. Yet you can’t graps a real threat — you know, the one that flies plans into buildings, hangs gay people and blows up cafes?
Theirs is a movement of hate, and it must be defeated. Unfortunately, too many liberals like yourself choose to look the other way. What do you have against modernity, Duane?
that is to say, “if a Christian extremist wree to beat up a gay person …” And that’s grasp, not graps. Sorry, you just piss me off so much I forget to edit.
dammit — WERE to beat up …
I’ve walked a plan into a building but I’ve never flown one… maybe ran it up the flagpole, metaphorically…
duane, I’m curious… you say you are not for an immediate pull out but you’re obviously not for “getting the job done.” What are you for? In your opinion, what would be the correct course of action for the US right now?
I’m not being sarcastic or arrogant. I’m honestly curious.
I could not agree with you more Duane that we need to be the example of what we are trying to develop in other countrys. You can not sale something that is not looked upon favorably, nor can you lead people to believe a type of government is better than others if you are not setting an example of how well that type of government works. There have always been extremists and there will always be extremists. If we are setting an example for others to follow, the extremists that need to be dealt with will be dealt with. Maybe it would be the USA that took care of them, maybe it would be some of our allies who looked at our example and decided taking care of them would help the cause. One thing is sure… the Shrub administration has done no good that I can see. How can we push democracy yet have someone like this idiot as a president? I hope our country is not judged as a whole by our leader and his actions (though I know we are). I also hope that people will remember all of the lies and deception this administration has stood for and will vote with more intelligence in the future. Just because someone says, “I am a Christian” does not make them a good person to lead our country.
atlmalcontent, by your definition, then, we should exterminate anyone that hates anyone for any reason; because apparently, according to you, one bad seed taints the whole lot. That is just as sick and twisted as those that think in those radical extremist terms. When will you realize that the few do not represent the feelings of the many? Sheesh… until you discontinue your manner of making it one for all and all for one, we will never be on the same page; or even reading from the same book, for that matter.
Robguy… huh?
dave, I propose that we start playing ball with the rest of the world; rather than our current strategy of being the big kid who is holding the ball over everyone’s head, refusing to let anyone else touch it. First of all, we need to get more involved with the United Nations. By showing that we don’t want to rule the world, but do want it to be a better place, less extremists will want to harm us, because the entire reason they hate us so much, is because of what we represent to them; we are just a big bully who does whatever we want, whenever we want to do it. Additionally, I agree that an immediate pull out without a plan of action is wrong, because we don’t need to police the area; especially when it is clear that our presence is creating more insurgency. What we need to do is scale back our forces, so much so, that our presence becomes what we said it was going to be anyway; a helping hand to get Iraq back on its feet. The prime minister of Iraq has told us he has got this one; why not see if he can back up this claim? There really isn’t anything to lose, especially considering that what we are doing now (the opposite), is costing us precious American (not to mention countless Iraqi) lives. Once we begin letting the people of Iraq rebuild it for themselves, with us providing support with minimal intrusion, they will see that we aren’t trying to take from them, and I can bet, that people will not hate Americans so much. People hate us because we are always coming into their house, shitting on the couches, and making a big mess that we expect them to clean up. Additionally, we raid their fridges, eat their food, and never contribute anything in the way of what we took. Until we stop taking advantage of the rest of the world, and stop expecting that we are somehow owed something because of our wealth and “stature” as this rich ass nation, then we are never going to get to a place where people don’t want to destroy us. I think the best place to start, is to show them that we don’t feel the need to control them anymore, and instead, really do want to help them. The problem, is that Bush wants the oil that is in Iraq, and so, everything I have suggested isn’t going to happen, because that would mean that we might actually have to pay for something that we need from them; rather than just taking it.
Since you asked me what my strategy was, because I think that we are doing the wrong thing by being there; why do you think that things are going so swimmingly there with our presence? Tell me why you think what we are doing (and what we have planned to do) is the right course of action.
Mitch, you are so right. The problem, is that we are barking orders that we don’t even follow ourselves. People see us as complete hypocrites, and they are right, because we are. I really hope that we can impeach Bush, Cheney, and the whole lot, and show the rest of the world that the people of America do not subscribe to this raping mentality that our leaders have. We are not all money grubbing assholes that want to take total advantage of every man, woman, and child; just because we can. We need to show the world that we have the ability, and the DUTY, to help instead of hurt. We need to change our way of seeking wealth at all costs to those outside of our borders, and prove that we actually do subscribe the beliefs and mentality of democracy. Until then, we are just a nasty, money grubbing entity that is not only willing, but completely able to take advantage of whomever we see fit; and I for one can see how that would piss off more than a few “extremists”.
When will you realize that there are more than a “few” radical terrorists? And even if there weren’t, the “few” does represent the many in Ahmadinejad’s case. Nice namecalling, too: sick and twisted — just like a terrorist, huh — added to your other ad hominem attacks. And I’d hate to think of us ever reading from the same page, as the Book of Delusion is not one of my favorite tomes.
For someone who doesn’t like to think he is reading from the “book of delusion”, you sure have mastered its content; well enough to repeat it over and over as your “argument”. Dude, if I am delusional because I believe that not everyone in the middle east is a terrorist, or an Islamic extremist, then I think you seriously need to examine what you define as rationality. To deny that anything we do has any effect on the way people perceive us is not only naive, but completely moronic. I don’t think you are a moron, so I will just hope that you are arguing for the sake of arguing.
I didn’t say everyone is an Islamic extremist, but it’s a large movement that can’t be ignored (even though too many on the left do just that). And their actions are driven largely by a hatred of Jews and the U.S. Even though we haven’t always been a fair broker in the Middle East — and propped up some ugly dictatorships — their fear and loathing of us is driven mostly by a perversion of a religion. It would exist regardless of our actions. They hate modernity (equality for women, respect for gays, etc.) They are not victims, but fanatical brutes.
It’s taught in the schools. It’s celebrated in the streets. It’s not 1 percent of the population. Get your head out of the sand (pardon the pun).
Again, I never said “eveyrone in the Middle East is a terrorist.” And of course you can’t prove I did, ’cause I don’t believe it and would never even infer it. Just another baseless accusation from a feeble mind.
Oh, the high and mighty have spoken. It is strange to me, that we share similar philosophical ideas about the way things work, yet you would rather stand high above me and point out how I am wrong; rather than acknowledge that my ideas are not as radical as you make them out to be.
Yes, Islamic extremists are bad. Yes, they hate us just because we represent everything that they hate. But, does that mean that we need to get rid of all of them? Who are we to say that we are better than anyone? Seriously, what I am speaking about, and have consistently asked for, was a perspective that includes more humanitarianism, rather than the lack there of (which is our current perspective). I don’t think that it is so crazy to ask for us to stop raping the world, and then getting an namby pamby when it comes back to bite us in the ass!
Additionally, you neglect to mention our involvement in driving their hatred for us (remember, they attacked the symbol of our economy on 9/11… that says that they have a problem with the way we do business), and go on and on about how I am crazy because not only recognize it, but hold us accountable for it. Even more ridiculous, is how you hold religion as the only reason because of this hate. While it may be a part of it, to deny that we have not had any influence on their hatred is moronically ignorant.
Based on your arguments, I see that you honestly believe that this is a lost cause, and the only thing to do is wipe anyone out that doesn’t share the mentality that America is the awesomest awesome nation ever. By your own admission, there is nothing that we can do to change the minds of extremists, so the only thing to do is “take care of them”; which is interesting, because it sounds very Hitler-like, in that you believe that because someone is different, that they mean to kill us, and as such, we should kill them first (all without acknowledging the myriad of other influences that are driving their hatred for us). That viewpoint is not only painfully ignorant, it is just baloney, because that isn’t reality, regardless if you say that it is 100000 times. If you continually fail to recognize that (now, and in the future), I wish you would just move on and let me continually speak rationally, holistically, and thoughtfully about this situation; because your comments are distracting away from what I have been saying, in that they aren’t comprehensive enough to encompass the level of perspective that is required to encompass the ideas that have expressed throughout this blog.
If only you spoke rationally, thoughtfully or holistically. Your moral equivalence of the U.S. and the terrorists is scary. There really is no need to bother with such a simplistic mind.
Ah, strong opinions, no factual arguments… again with that one, eh?