TheBigHurt35

QUOTE(winodj @ Apr 3, 2005 -> 12:54 PM) If American lives aren't worth more than other people's lives in the eyes of our government, why aren't we sending folks to liberate Iran, Syria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, DR Congo, Sudan, North Korea, Indonesia, Jordan, Morocco, Algeria, Cuba, et al? Perhaps because regime changes in 14 countries at the same time would result in the implementation of massive tax hikes and a draft of unprecedented magnitude. In other words, it would be completely unfeasible. :rolly Keep in mind that we've gone to war to free oppressed people in Korea, Vietnam, and Afghanistan without receiving a single drop of oil in return. A better question might be: Why is the UN doing absolutely nothing about the mass murder in the DR Congo and Sudan?

QUOTE(Texsox @ Apr 3, 2005 -> 09:34 AM) Would you have given your life to make that happen? How many American lives is a fair price to make that happen? 10? 100? 1,000? 100,000? That's an interesting comment coming from someone who spends so much time here defending the rights of Mexicans. What about all of the Iraqis that Saddam slaughtered over the years? What about the Kurds and Shiites that he gassed? What about all of the people who were arrested, tortured, and murdered by Saddam's secret police? What about all of the brutality and murders committed by his sons? Are you suggesting that American lives are worth more than Iraqi lives? Surely you don't believe that they're "just brown people" who don't have the same right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that we do?

QUOTE(winodj @ Apr 1, 2005 -> 04:38 PM) This doesn't excuse the misinformation that was going on in our own government that led to our invasion of Iraq. Perhaps not, but the regime change probably saved the lives of many of Iraqis, not to mention allowing them to live in the absence of terror. I'm not an "ends justify the means" type of person, but Saddam in prison is a better alternative than Saddam in power under the UN's corrupt and ineffective Oil-For-Food program.

QUOTE(Reddy @ Apr 2, 2005 -> 02:20 PM) Well I did apply there and got rejected. lol but honestly it probably wasnt the best place for me anyway. NU is really good for theatre but in my opinion i feel like they ride mostly on reputation... and since they have this reputation they dont really have to have as good a program ya know what im saying? Also there's just this attitude of, 'i'm going to northwestern i'm better than you' up there... no offense meant to anyone that goes to NU thats just my impression of the theatre department. so thats my reasoning there. for what its worth. Unless you can get a significant scholarship, NU is a waste of money, IMO. Sure, their academic programs are great, but you're going to be making $400 monthy studen loan payments for the 15 years following graduation. Plus, the cost of living in Evanston is rather high and there's not much to do socially if you're outside the Greek system.

Well, at least it's comforting to know that he's in a better place now. God rest his soul.

QUOTE(winodj @ Apr 1, 2005 -> 09:18 AM) And you reelected who in 2004? If this is such a big issue for you, throw da bum out. We talk about the need to prevent terror but we keep our borders "wide open" to terrorists, leave our ports and cargo uninspected. The party in power has now had 11 years to take care of this problem. They've done nothing. So, I should throw Bush and his Republican cohorts out of offce and watch while the Democrats do nothing, paralyzed by fear that their leftist constituents will label them "racist"? That's what happened in the early/mid '90s when Clinton was in office and the Dems controlled Congress. Obviously, neither party has done anything about this (albeit for different reasons), yet you place all of the blame on the right. How typical. :rolly

QUOTE(LowerCaseRepublican @ Apr 2, 2005 -> 12:43 PM) Yes, I am very skeptical of government power so that means I want more in a socialist standpoint You're beyond skeptical. You're downright cynical. There's a pretty significant difference. So, Bush is a "mass murderer" because he militarily forced Saddam Hussein (a real mass murderer) out of power? Disagreeing with the Iraq War and being angry at the Bush administration for possibly lying about WMDs (which I'm more than willing to admit they may have... and am not happy about it) is fine. Hell, calling Bush a liar is fine. But saying that Bush endorses mass murderer is just plain stupid and irresponsible. Looks like decades of drug abuse had taken their toll on Mr. Thompson's mind long before his death. I'd argue that someone like Ward Churchill, who definitely fits into the "radical" category, clearly hates America and capitalism in general. He may be an extreme example, but there are plenty of radical America-haters out there (not that you're one of them). Your other points are well taken.

QUOTE(LowerCaseRepublican @ Apr 2, 2005 -> 11:15 AM) Any criticism (unless its of a Democrat) is seen as anti-American by you.[/color] Nice try to stereotype me, but you'd be wrong about that. I strongly support some Democrats, like Joe Lieberman and Evan Bayh (even voted for the latter). And I've criticized Bush's handling of the Mexican border and his idiotic Constitutional Ammendment to ban gay marriage here several times. But, hey, why let the truth get in the way? And speaking of stereotypes, you fit the "young, angry college liberal" so well that it's frightening. Are you plotting a socialist overthrow of "the establishment" as well? Perhaps your baiting had something to do with that... QUOTE(LowerCaseRepublican @ Apr 1, 2005 -> 04:20 PM) Actually, if we take out all the useless, insulting bulls***, let's see what we have left of your post: Perhaps one day when you're older, supporting yourself financially, married, and have children, you'll realize that our government (while far from perfect) does a hell of a lot of good in this world and that our country and values are worth defending.

QUOTE(1549 @ Apr 2, 2005 -> 10:11 AM) People will criticize BigHurt, and in the case of Vietnam...rightly so. KWF does not present his criticisms in a way that is disrespectful and mocking, so why should we be disrespectful to his criticisms? This isn't about KWF criticizing the Vietnam War. This is about him posting nothing but anti-American garbage. Do a search on his posts and you'll see what I mean. I can deal with non-Americans criticizing America. However, I have no respect for those who do it constantly and have an obvious anti-American agenda. If KWF wants to use his right to free speech to vehmently rip America to shreds every day, I'll exercise mine by calling him "tactless" and suggesting that he has an inferiority complex. Fair enough? No, my behavior was not tactless. "Tactless" would be me criticizing the Candaian government, as you and KWF have suggested, as some sort of moronic, childish "retaliation" for his comments. I'm not going to insult the Canadian government and other Candadian citizens when he's the problem, not them.

QUOTE(1549 @ Apr 2, 2005 -> 09:40 AM) People will criticize our flaws, if your offended go burn a Canadian flag. Don't get on other people's asses because you are over sensitive and take criticism of American policy personal. So, instead of calling KWF's posts "tactless," I'm supposed to stoop down to his bomb-throwing level and burn a Candaian flag? Wow, what a great idea! People like you apparently don't understand that the First Ammendment wasn't created to excuse rude behavior. Have you ever been to a foreign country? Do did you go out of the way to insult that nation's government while speaking to the citizens? I'll bet you don't, because you'd probably make a lot of enemies. The same logic applies here. Note that my intent isn't to silence KWF. I'm simply exercising my right to free speech, just as he is. Nice to see that I have a bit of support... QUOTE(YASNY @ Apr 2, 2005 -> 09:23 AM) Tactless. That is a PERFECT desription. Thank you, TheBigHurt35.

QUOTE(LowerCaseRepublican @ Apr 1, 2005 -> 04:20 PM) Yes because every critic of the US government has small genetalia. Oh wait, you mean that's not an argument? Holy s***! There goes your post. I have a problem with a foreigner constantly berating our government on a web site based in America, where Americans are the vast majority of posters, and the content is based on a sports team located in America. I have no problem with ciricism from voting, tax-paying Americans. IMO, it's not only our right, but our duty as well, to speak out when we feel that our government is wrong. While I typically listen to foreign criticism of American policy with patience and interest, I feel that never-ending anti-American posts from a foreigner on a site such as this are completely tactless. If you think that makes me a jingoist, I'm sorry you feel that way. Fortunately for me, I don't give a flying f*** what some 20-year-old who is still living off of mommy and daddy and has no idea what the real world is like thinks. IIRC, KWF is not located in our country. And if you think that there is a shortage of policy criticism in this country, you must be living under a rock. "Grrrrr... I'm an angry little college boy! Fight the power!" Grow up. :rolly

QUOTE(winodj @ Apr 1, 2005 -> 11:51 AM) I'd put Simon Peter a bit ahead of John Paul II Well, yeah, of course. Nobody can hold a candle to St. Peter. Thought that was implied. I didn't even think that he was technically considered a "pope," since he was the original. That said, I have no doubt hat John Paul II will be canonized at some point.

QUOTE(WilliamTell @ Apr 1, 2005 -> 10:55 AM) Don't take offense to it, it was just a simple question. I just get sick and tired of your posts complaing about the U.S. and all of those articles. Have you ever posted an article of goodness from the U.S.? I don't go around posting bad articles about Canada. No kidding. Shut the f*** up already. QUOTE(KipWellsFan @ Apr 1, 2005 -> 10:59 AM) And I encourage you to post bad articles about Canada if you want. No thanks. That would involve us stooping to your level.

QUOTE(Reddy @ Mar 31, 2005 -> 08:59 PM) cuz i wanna be an actor, and the program at iowa sucks for undergrads. plus being in chitown will give me a leg up and more immersion in professional theatre. Iowa just cant compare to Chicago for the things I want to do. Yeah, but it's still Loyola. It's not like you can attend a decent football game at Loyola on Saturdays. And their bars aren't any good. Just kidding. Best of luck to you in Chi-town.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Apr 1, 2005 -> 06:05 AM) BTW, I wonder what Southeast Asia and the world would look like today if we didn't send so many Americans to their deaths and allowed Vietnam to form a communist government? North Korea, perhaps? Regarding the free speech issue, I'm not sure what's worse: Jane Fonda committing treason by aiding the North Vietnamese or KWF's Small Canadian Penis Syndrome causing him to constantly bash the U.S. government.

The Perdue Chicken guy? Interesting. I live just a few miles from one of his chicken farms.

QUOTE(Jeckle2000 @ Apr 1, 2005 -> 08:03 AM) RIP Pope. Hope that catholic thing works out for you. I'm sure being Catholic work out better for him than insulting one of the greatest human beings on the Earth will for you. Grow up. :rolly

Despite the apparent flaws in our intelligence, the world is a much better place with Saddam behind bars and his sons out of the picture. Nobody deserves to live under a regime of terror like that.

QUOTE(Reddy @ Mar 31, 2005 -> 08:48 PM) I got into college!! I just figured i'd tell y'all that I'm gonna go to Loyola University in Chicago!! I plan to major in theatre. lol. but yeah its awesome because I'm only a few stops from the Cell on the red line so i'm freakin excited!! You live in one of the best college towns in America, yet you want to go to Loyola??? (UI grad, class of '97)

QUOTE(KipWellsFan @ Mar 31, 2005 -> 07:10 PM) http://www.canada.com/fortstjohn/story.htm...98-ef04204578d5 I recently saw someone write that terrorists were coming through Canada and I'm just wondering where they got their information from? Terrorists have already been arrested coming in through Canada. IIRC, one was arrested trying to enter Washington state right before New Year's eve of 1999. Apparently he planned to set off a bomb in LA during the New Year celebrations.

QUOTE(KipWellsFan @ Mar 31, 2005 -> 02:11 PM) Indirectly harming wildlife instead of directly harming wildlife for economic purposes is okay? I'll take indirectly harming wildlife over viciously murdering baby mammals any day.

Incredibly sad news. We're coming to the end of an extraordinary era, as John Paul II is arguably the greatest Pope in the history of the Catholic Church.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Mar 31, 2005 -> 02:11 PM) You are confusing homeless Mexicans who are sneaking into this country with the honest Mexican who is spending $$$ on a Visa and getting all the necessary permits. We are creating a problem for the honest person who wants to visit. Poor Mexicans can not afford the necessary Visas to travel to the US interior. The Mexican government can pay for it. How much money earned in our country is getting sent back to theirs? Quite a bit. And how much income tax revenue is our government getting from these illegals? Zero.

QUOTE(mmmmmbeeer @ Mar 31, 2005 -> 10:58 AM) NeoConservatism is MUCH more than just a buzzword, it's a REAL ideology. PNAC wasn't planted by the DNC, the neocon family tree is rather easy to follow. There are plenty of republicans who are not part of that tree. Um, no, it is an ill-defined buzzword that is often used as a derogatory term. Most independent sources will tell you that (link) FNC is more or less pushing the Bush administration's agenda. With the exception of a few issues such as border security, people like O'Reilly and Hannity agenerally agree with Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice, and the other "neocons" you're talking about. At the same time, O'Reilly is featuring Newt Gingrich on his show and agreeing with most of what he says. I don't see the "big difference" that you're speaking of. While I agree that Newt and Pat Buchanan are politically different in some ways than Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfeld, they all base policy on moralist grounds. And I don't see any of them showing tolerance towards the welfare state, which is supposedly an aspect of neoconservatism. Reagan: Attacked Libya after terrorists tied to Qaddafi murdered Americans Bush: Attacked Afghanistan after terrorists tied to bin Laden murderd Americans Reagan: Fiscal conservative who staunchly opposed spending on social programs Bush: Supposed "neocon" who staunchly opposed socialized healthcare, proposed significant cuts to Medicaid, and proposed the privitization of Social Security Agreed that Reagan was much more libertarian than Bush. Then again, Reagan didn't watch 3,000 Americans die in a terrorist attack. Reagan "sure as f***" spent an absolute ton of taxpayer money on the arms race, escalating the Cold War against the godless Communists of the Evil Empire. And if he would've had his way, even more would've been spent on Star Wars. And you're telling me that he didn't use faith to expand government? Wrong.

QUOTE(mmmmmbeeer @ Mar 31, 2005 -> 06:28 AM) I'm tellin' ya, this religious brand of neo-conservatism will spell the death of the GOP. It's amazing the way that this party has changed in just a few short years. I don't think it's changed that much at all. People were making the same comments about GOP being too closely aligned with the Christian Right when Bush lost to Clinton in '92. Two years later, Republicans gained control of Congress and haven't looked back since. Reagan was a very devout Christian as well and used the same moralist ("Evil Empire") rhetoric when discussing the Soviet Union that Bush uses in reference to Iran and North Korea. Had the Constitution allowed, he almost certainly would've been elected to a third term. Death of the GOP, my ass. This "neoconservatism" label is just something that liberal, anti-Christian media outlets like the NY Times use to drag conservatives through the mud. They're scared stiff because a major media outlet (Fox News) is pushing a conservative agenda to counter their liberal agenda... and it's working very well.