Johnny Dangerously
01-15-2009, 02:12 PM
Can We Agree...
To disagree agreeably? Quit the name calling (on both sides of the aisle), open up the country to honest and cordial debate?
To quit being so quick to blame America first for everything that happens in this world? Given the context of our short history of 233 years, our country has liberated more people, done more to end world hunger, contributed more to the advancement of the world's standard of living, led some of the greatest peace and humanitarian efforts than any other country in the world. We deserve credit for that, and we need to quit tucking our tails between our legs every time someone in France or Germany or Italy or the (worthless) U.N. doesn't happen to like what we do. As one who has lived many years abroad and worked directly with many foreign nationals I can tell you that the ones who are honest will admit that the animosity towards the U.S. is, in most cases sheer jealousy.
That being the world's sole remaining Superpower is not a crime and nothing to be ashamed of if that power and influence is used properly (see above)? These people who think we should all be "equal" are naive to think that will last. Someone WILL be on top - I'd rather it be us than some South American Dictator or (dare I say) Islamic extremist. Does anyone here think Hugo Chavez would do anything about Darfur, or Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will do anything if Russia suddenly invades Poland?
That "being tolerant" needs to go both ways? Yes, I'll be tolerant of your (ahem) alternate lifestyle, if you'll be tolerant of my preference to not have you fanning your flames in my face. I'll be tolerant of your desire to not work if you'll be tolerant of my desire to not support you. I'll be tolerant and comply with your desire to not call you the "N" word if you'll comply with my desire to not have the race card thrown in my face at the drop of the hat.
That this country was built on the hard work, ingenuity, and tenacity of Americans who came from ALL corners of the globe, all socioeconomic background with the fundamental belief that no one owes them a living (or a plasma screen TV for that matter) and that everything they get needs to come from their own desire to overcome the obstacles in life that we all face (be it race, body style, preferences - sexual or otherwise, etc.)? There are stories of people who have overcome every obstacle known to man simply because they had the desire to not let those obstacles defeat them. Why should we be any different???
That no matter what happens SOMEONE is invariably going to get offended? This business of walking on eggshells because someone's black, or not being able to disqualify someone for a position because their appearance doesn't fit with the corporate image (e.g. "tackle box face" wanting to work with the public). We ALL have our disadvantages and suffer some form of discrimination - Life's not fair and never will be. Get over it!
That in some cases war is necessary and often unavoidable. The best we can hope for is to choose the time, place, and weaponry thereby giving ourselves a distinct advantage over the enemy. Wars will be fought; it's just a matter of who's going to win. I want to be on that winning side - always!
That with very few exceptions our politicians at the local, state and Federal level have given themselves to rabid cynicism and, rather than seeing themselves as representatives of the people, mostly see themselves as our caretakers? This is an outrage in a nation of people who don't take kindly to someone who patronizes them.
That a distinct double standard in behavior and accountability exists (and is growing) between the left and the right - with the left being given the advantage? I could cite many instances of this, but I've gone longer than I intended anyway.
That the mainstream press has even dropped all pretenses of objectivity - Chris Matthews, Sam Donaldson, CNN, NYT, Washington Post - nuff said.
That because I pay taxes, and I’m a citizen, and this country has been an English speaking country since before it’s independence from Great Britain; it’s OK for me to expect people in this country who want to do business with me and want to drive our roads and want to navigate our welfare system, etc, etc to do so in English so that my tax money doesn’t go to translators and bi-lingual signage?
And last but certainly not least, that when someone's STATED goal is to kill us, that it's at least OK to splash a little water in their face and make them go without dessert to hopefully pull some information out of them that will save our lives and the lives of our service men and women?
:gun:
To disagree agreeably? Quit the name calling (on both sides of the aisle), open up the country to honest and cordial debate?
To quit being so quick to blame America first for everything that happens in this world? Given the context of our short history of 233 years, our country has liberated more people, done more to end world hunger, contributed more to the advancement of the world's standard of living, led some of the greatest peace and humanitarian efforts than any other country in the world. We deserve credit for that, and we need to quit tucking our tails between our legs every time someone in France or Germany or Italy or the (worthless) U.N. doesn't happen to like what we do. As one who has lived many years abroad and worked directly with many foreign nationals I can tell you that the ones who are honest will admit that the animosity towards the U.S. is, in most cases sheer jealousy.
That being the world's sole remaining Superpower is not a crime and nothing to be ashamed of if that power and influence is used properly (see above)? These people who think we should all be "equal" are naive to think that will last. Someone WILL be on top - I'd rather it be us than some South American Dictator or (dare I say) Islamic extremist. Does anyone here think Hugo Chavez would do anything about Darfur, or Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will do anything if Russia suddenly invades Poland?
That "being tolerant" needs to go both ways? Yes, I'll be tolerant of your (ahem) alternate lifestyle, if you'll be tolerant of my preference to not have you fanning your flames in my face. I'll be tolerant of your desire to not work if you'll be tolerant of my desire to not support you. I'll be tolerant and comply with your desire to not call you the "N" word if you'll comply with my desire to not have the race card thrown in my face at the drop of the hat.
That this country was built on the hard work, ingenuity, and tenacity of Americans who came from ALL corners of the globe, all socioeconomic background with the fundamental belief that no one owes them a living (or a plasma screen TV for that matter) and that everything they get needs to come from their own desire to overcome the obstacles in life that we all face (be it race, body style, preferences - sexual or otherwise, etc.)? There are stories of people who have overcome every obstacle known to man simply because they had the desire to not let those obstacles defeat them. Why should we be any different???
That no matter what happens SOMEONE is invariably going to get offended? This business of walking on eggshells because someone's black, or not being able to disqualify someone for a position because their appearance doesn't fit with the corporate image (e.g. "tackle box face" wanting to work with the public). We ALL have our disadvantages and suffer some form of discrimination - Life's not fair and never will be. Get over it!
That in some cases war is necessary and often unavoidable. The best we can hope for is to choose the time, place, and weaponry thereby giving ourselves a distinct advantage over the enemy. Wars will be fought; it's just a matter of who's going to win. I want to be on that winning side - always!
That with very few exceptions our politicians at the local, state and Federal level have given themselves to rabid cynicism and, rather than seeing themselves as representatives of the people, mostly see themselves as our caretakers? This is an outrage in a nation of people who don't take kindly to someone who patronizes them.
That a distinct double standard in behavior and accountability exists (and is growing) between the left and the right - with the left being given the advantage? I could cite many instances of this, but I've gone longer than I intended anyway.
That the mainstream press has even dropped all pretenses of objectivity - Chris Matthews, Sam Donaldson, CNN, NYT, Washington Post - nuff said.
That because I pay taxes, and I’m a citizen, and this country has been an English speaking country since before it’s independence from Great Britain; it’s OK for me to expect people in this country who want to do business with me and want to drive our roads and want to navigate our welfare system, etc, etc to do so in English so that my tax money doesn’t go to translators and bi-lingual signage?
And last but certainly not least, that when someone's STATED goal is to kill us, that it's at least OK to splash a little water in their face and make them go without dessert to hopefully pull some information out of them that will save our lives and the lives of our service men and women?
:gun: