Lefty

WE can have them because it is in our national interests to have them. THEY cannot have them because it is in our national interests for them not to have them. Playing nice and sharing nuclear weapon capabilities might fly if the world stage were a kindergarten. However, each country does what it can to ensure its safety, even if it means being [sarcastic whine] hypocritical [/sarcastic whine]. Iran does the same thing, by the way. If interests between two countries conflict, the one who proves itself the strongest dictates what the other can and cannot have. Just the way nature works. Sorry it's not fair. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

Someone buy this little fella some class! Maybe he'd like a mink coat too... Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

Well, actually I knew you would say that because it's how I would have responded before I realized how hypocritical my position was and how I really don't have a leg to stand on. I estimate another half page of posts before you catch on. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

That's just what I thought you'd say. Pick and choose all you want. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

Haha, its funny how PETA always picks on women in fur coats. I'd love to see them pull that on a motorcycle gang in their leather jackets. I think the guy in the video is wearing leather shoes too...how ironic. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

Los Angeles, eh? I noticed the simulation didn't factor in the presence of Jack Bauer...virus dead. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

Ok, so I'm watching this PBS show about deaf people. An interesting segment came up about some parents, both of whom are deaf, who had the opportunity to give their young daughter, who is also deaf, a cochlear (sp?) implant which would allow her to hear normally and live as a fully functional person. The daughter went to a school with many other children who had these implants, and she was amazed at how they were comunicating without sign language and expressed an interest in having the treatment done for herself. However, the parents decided not to get the treatment for her because they wanted her to be a part of "deaf culture". Now, this seems a little disturbing to me. Nothing against those with disablities, but the lack of any of the senses is an impairment. I would think that the parents would want the best for their child, which to me would include doing whatever it took to ensure that their child would have an life which isn't hindered by any sort of disability. I felt very sorry for the little girl. What do you all think? Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

Ditto, well put. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

I'm amazed that you can continue to argue against what you yourself represent. What Hooknswoop said was in no way false, and you, Kallend, are one of the millions and millions of reasons why what he said was true. The government has tried some dirty tricks to stifle people's speech, which you've cited, but the fact that we know about those instances means that the government does not control the information flow and thus cannot limit our speech without some serious consequences. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

I believe that's checkmate...next topic please, hehe. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

Yeah, I think that's called "politics". It speaks volumes for the rights we have that small fry like skydivers aren't restricted in what they can say because it would piss off the public. Even if the government wanted to restrict our freedom of speech (which is very possible), it couldn't without fear of reprisal from the citizens. Edited for phrasing. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

Kent State had nothing to do with Bush. Moving right along... Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

Well, I've always liked to believe, perhaps naiively, that Kent State was an accident. The soldiers who shot the students were no older than the students themselves. The students weren't shot because they were protesting against the government, it was just a situation that got out of hand. Check the history books. If you can't see the difference between that and Tiananmen Square, no amount of me trying to explain it will convince you. Back to my original point: I'm going to go out on a limb here and assume you are not "with us" in terms of the Bush quote which would put you in the "against us" category. However, you are still here, you haven't been shot or kidnapped, I figure you'll be posting more anti-US stuff in the future, and probably the only people who take the time to actively respond to you are the people on this forum. So, either you have to admit this country allows its citizens a certain degree of freedom, or you need to tell us that there are black helicopters and G-men knocking on your door right now. Which is it? Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

Not that the examples you've cited aren't valid (although the Kent State one was asinine), but the fact you are here on these boards regularly criticizing the U.S. without being spirited away by secret police must count for something, wouldn't you say? Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

It's seriously one of the best ideas to come along in a good while. It would work, and despite what anyone says it will not shift the tax burden to poor people or any of that rot. The part I like best about the book is the question/answer chapter where Boortz and Linder (who used to be my congressman in GA) pretty much shut down all the popular, buzz-word arguments against the plan. I'm honestly not too optimistic about it actually getting passed, since it would be a huge shift of power from the government to the people, which isn't going to make the politicians happy. Oh well, here's hopin'. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

Ok, I guess not everyone is cut out for subtleties without a million emoticons plastered all over a post. A mother who just lost her child would obviously not be in a rational state of mind and would be ruled by her emotions. Therefore, she would not be receptive to the differences that JohnRich pointed out. You, Sudsy, seem to be equally resistant to recognizing the difference between the two situations, prefering instead to focus on the emotional aspect of a dead child rather than the more mental task of realizing there is a difference in the motives. Pretty lame, I'd say. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

Boy, just try explaining it to the average lib on these boards...do they walk around as emotionally high-strung as a mother of a dead child all day or just when talking about the evil U.S. military? Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

I'd be very interested in seeing how everyone who condemns the use of torture would react if they were put into a real-world situation where they had responsibilities to something besides their delicate senses of self-righteousness. I guarantee fingers would be broken if I had a suspect with information about a threat against either my family or subordinate soldiers, consequences be damned. I'll bet money that most people on these boards would do the same. Like it or not, the CIA is a part of the government charged with keeping us protected from threats, and they will torture when neccessary even if it means legal trouble for them. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

Probably so, since I am not an expert on the subject. Don't expect to hear an airtight argument from me, I'm just going off of common sense. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

Yes. Fortunately we're not talking about blister agents. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

Just because something has chemical properties and uses chemical reactions to function (ex: TNT, C4, white phosphorous, tear gas, any explosive you can think of) does not make it a chemical *oh no!* WMD. White phosphorous is highly visible, has a low area of effect, and can be discriminately employed by those who use it. A real chemical WMD like nerve gas or something would have none of these properties. As for the "civilians" (read: terrorists if you're not in the European press) who got hit with the WP, it's hard to think of a more painful way to die, but those are the breaks when you pick a fight. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

I don't think his type would be able to get into the Catholic church in the first place. And don't bother with the obvious Catholic priest molester jokes...those guys should burn. Still, Pat Robertson seems to be one of the most misquoted people in the news today. Bias or just sloppy reporting? Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

You contradict yourself. You imply that the man killed the kids, but then you blame the gun. I personally have never heard of a gun that decided on its own to hop off the rack in the store and go down to the gas station for a quick robbery or murder, so some other factor must enter into the equation. I'll give you a hint: people. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

Best served on a plate of pure elephant ivory with a side of Do-do eggs. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

I'd rather be haunted than be dead or have a loved one dead or even harmed. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin