Something to think about...

Post by **eddiecanuck** » Mon Mar 03, 2003 2:36 pm

Whether you agree or disagree, it's something to think about:

http://www.msnbc.com/news/879204.asp?0na=x22062B0-

Let the discussions begin

Post by **bio** » Mon Mar 03, 2003 3:31 pm

We haven't found Bin Ladin, we're on the verge of war with Iraq, and we're in deep in half a dozen other countries (Brazil, Philippines, Korea, etc). But what's in the headlines? A girl who doesn't salute the flag.

I'd love to blame the media, but like any other company who produces a product to sell, they focus on what their customers want.

To categorize as a whole: the American public is pretty fucking stupid.

Ignore what's going on that real and tangible... lets go for the obvious cash cow and focus on some poor kid who's foolish enough to exercise her rights under the Constitution. How dare she... and in public too! That will get the viewers attention!

No real news here.

Next week... President George W. Jr. will tell the press that like his father, he hates broccoli (it caused protests by the Broccoli growers association when Bush Sr. made the comment some 10 years ago)

Bah.

Post by **bio** » Mon Mar 03, 2003 5:42 pm

Double post!! (it's my forum, I can do anything I want)

Here's some more proof that your average American, in general, has the same cognitive thought processes as a rock:

According to this article, the instructions for infant car seats are too difficult to read. They state that the instructions are written at a 10th grade level, but over 25% of adult Americans can only read at an 8th grade level.

"Reading difficulty was tied to the number of words with three or more syllables appearing in 10-sentence samples."

Not that it's a bad thing to have people like that. We need people to pump gas, pour coffee (yes... that's a stab), and wash dishes. The more stupid people there are out there, the easier it is for the rest of us to keep our jobs.

Post by **eddiecanuck** » Mon Mar 03, 2003 5:52 pm

umm... would you like fries with that ma'am?

jc · Post by jc » Mon Mar 03, 2003 6:05 pm

Bio wrote:Ignore what's going on that real and tangible... lets go for the obvious cash cow and focus on some poor kid who's foolish enough to exercise her rights under the Constitution. How dare she... and in public too! That will get the viewers attention!

But the article was about how she was right.

Stingray · Post by **Stingray** » Mon Mar 03, 2003 7:30 pm

I am not certain if any of you have served in any form of the military, but to those who have (myself included) this article does contain a certain level of significance. Is she wrong... no. It is her right, and for that I admire her for exercising it. However, personally it is not something I could not do. While I have not always agreed with those appointed over me I had sworn to abide by their commands. The flag still holds tremendous meaning to me and I will have my coffin draped with one when I die. Back to the point at hand... this is one girlâ€™s way to protest something she feels strongly about. I too feel very strongly about the flag and every time I see it I feel a nothing but pride... pride that someone gave me the right to face the flag or turn from it, pride I have served and that that others serve now so that a college girl can turn her back in silent protest.

Post by **bio** » Mon Mar 03, 2003 11:16 pm

jc wrote:But the article was about how she was right.

This one was... but this little thing has been all over the news (and not all reports were so kind).

stingray wrote:I feel a nothing but pride... pride that someone gave me the right to face the flag or turn from it, pride I have served and that that others serve now so that a college girl can turn her back in silent protest.

I did my time as well (though not near as long as you). I feel the same way about the flag, but I support the right to turn away from it, burn it, or whatever. Freedom of speech and freedom of expression isn't all sunshine and lollypops. Given the chance to disagree, people will. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Stingray · Post by **Stingray** » Tue Mar 04, 2003 7:50 am

bio wrote:Given the chance to disagree, people will. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Can I have an Amen!

Post by **eddiecanuck** » Tue Mar 04, 2003 11:25 am

Well I'm glad you guys actually get the point of the article, which is that she has the right to do what she did, whether you agree with it or not. I posted the same thing on another forum and all I got was how she was fucked up and such. I absolutly agree with what you guys have been saying here. While I don't feel the surge of pride you do for the American flag, I do feel a certain amount of pride for my own country's flag. And if someone chooses to do what she did that is their right.
Nice to see we have some thinkers here and not just people who react.

jc · Post by jc » Tue Mar 04, 2003 12:55 pm

I too served in our nation's armed forces, and I consider myself a patriot. I salute the flag, but I do not say the pledge of allegiance because I do not believe in god, and I DO believe in the seperation of church and state.

Moxie · Post by **Moxie** » Wed Mar 05, 2003 12:08 pm

I am a patriot of the planet. I don't think of myself as an "American", I think of myself as an Earthling. They're nothing more than invisible lines drawn on a map to me.

Stingray · Post by **Stingray** » Wed Mar 05, 2003 1:18 pm

Moxie wrote:I am a patriot of the planet. I don't think of myself as an "American", I think of myself as an Earthling. They're nothing more than invisible lines drawn on a map to me.

Unfortunately too many people feel a strongly about those invisible lines as they do about the color of ones skin. Bio can personally attest to my stance against racism. I have had people removed from their jobs if they spoke out against anyone not the same as themselves. I consider myself fortunate to have traveled the world and meet so many wonderful people. Your quote has weight and should be something considered by everyone. However, until their is a global crisis (i.e. the planet is invaded) I do not suspect the world will collectively remove their heads from their assholes anytime soon, but could you imagine the sound it would make when they did?

Something to think about...

Something to think about...

Re: Something to think about...