Reasons why Hollywood should shut up
Edmonton Journal – Story – canada.com network
The Oscars got the lowest TV ratings in 30 years, undoubtedly because the audience anticipated a lot of know-nothing ranting about the war and decided to avoid it. Here are a few reasons why Hollywood should JUST SHUT UP:
- The pot calling the kettle stupid. In Hollywood, no attack on Bush’s policies is complete without an insulting reference to his intellect. Cher on Bush: “He’s stupid.” Martin Sheen on Bush: “A moron, if you’ll pardon the expression.” Bush has degrees from Harvard and Yale; Cher, on the other hand, made it all the way through the eighth grade, and Sheen flunked an entrance exam at the august University of Dayton.
Then there’s Barbra Streisand, who in an unsolicited memo to Richard Gephardt (then Democratic leader in Congress) spelled his name “Gebhardt,” then issued a press release saying Saddam Hussein was the leader of Iran.
- Stay away from big words and hard math. Actor Richard Gere says the war in Iraq proves the failure of American democracy: “Why is it when we have 10 million people who say ‘no’ we still have a president who says ‘yes’? In a democracy something’s wrong here.” Actually, Richard, the population of the United States is 290 million, so your side is a little bit behind. Get your agent to do the math for you.
Consider also Spanish director Pedro Almodovar, who in accepting an Oscar two weeks ago equated opposition to the Iraq war with “respect of human rights.” There are a number of reasons intelligent people might oppose the war in Iraq — its cost, doubt that Bush proved his claim that Saddam Hussein has weapons of mass destruction, fear of post-war instability in the Middle East — but “human rights”? Deposing a dictator who feeds political opponents into plastic shredders and locks their wives in so-called rape rooms is disrespectful of human rights?
- You were there HOW long? Sean Penn, in the most infamous overseas trip since a smiling Jane Fonda posed on a North Vietnamese anti-aircraft gun, went to Iraq for three whole days in December and at the end of his trip “confirmed that Iraq is completely clear of weapons of mass destruction,” according to the Iraqi News Service. Cracked the New York Post: “After Shanghai Surprise, Penn certainly knows what a bomb looks like.”
- Nonviolent is as nonviolent does. Though Penn doesn’t think the United States has the right to take any action against Iraq over nuclear weapons or germ warfare, he’s not some silly pacifist — he understands there are times when violence is necessary. Like, for instance, if somebody points a camera at you. He’s beaten up so many photographers that he eventually went to jail for it.
I don’t know if he’s ever met Chrissie Hynde, lead singer of the Pretenders, but I bet they’d hit it off. At a recent concert in San Francisco, she screamed: “We (expletive) deserve to get bombed. Bring it on … Bring it on, I hope the Muslims win!” When someone in the crowd yelled his disagreement, she invited him up on stage — so she and the band could beat him up.
Mostly I wish Hynde would shut up. But I’ll admit it’s kind of fun to imagine Saddam Hussein winning the war and taking over the United States. Then the rest of us could organize a pool on how long it would take him to cut her tongue out.
© Copyright 2003 Edmonton Journal
April 3, 2003 - 11:02 PM on April 3rd, 2003
Lmao, dead on. The thing is, there are somewhat compelling arguments to be made against the war… they completely ignore them in favor of the stupidest arguments they can find.
April 4, 2003 - 12:08 AM on April 4th, 2003
Although that imagery of the last paragraph *does* make me squirm a little (mostly over the notion of Saddam taking over the US), I’d say this guy pretty much *nailed* it! Not sure if there’s much else to say beyond that…
April 4, 2003 - 02:58 AM on April 4th, 2003
The thing is..u guys arent very tolerant >not in the world and not in ur country. The war make no scence and is illegal. The only good thing is > the iraqi folks become free ( or better become all small americans) but for which price..I think they actually arent very happy about your unbelievible act of humanity (wirth bombs). By the way there are many more dictators in the world for example north korea…or many in africa…whats about them > no oil or what? Every day there die many kids in africa but nobody is interested. Better buy bombs to free the poor irakis… What a crap. And ur press is everything else than free..Im proud to be german…Greatings!!
April 4, 2003 - 04:10 AM on April 4th, 2003
hey cosmo…es ist sinnlos, ich hab es versucht…aber die sind krass intolerant auf dieser page…hab da mal meine ganze meinung aufgeschrieben, und werde nur wegen meinem englisch angefickt…unglaublich, aber was solls…die kennen ja nur die usa usa usa…und ich dachte, das sei ne boycott page von pro-kriegs denker (p.s. die amis-medien bezeichneten die deutschen demostranten als hitlers kinder! die solln sich was schämen)
http://www.f**kbush.de…HARR HARR HARR!
April 4, 2003 - 07:57 AM on April 4th, 2003
Um, can we talk about why it is ok to want to help people *unless* they have something we want? I don’t understand why people argue against fighting for human rights in Iraq with the arugument that “there are other oppressed people who we aren’t helping because they don’t have oil.” I can see why this is an argument FOR helping other oppressed people, but not AGAINST helping Iraqis. And by the way, last time I checked we are a pretty “tolerant” nation. Why don’t antiwar people ever call Saddam “intolerant?” He is the madman here, the bad guy.
April 4, 2003 - 08:34 AM on April 4th, 2003
@HL Helping people: That sound so simple and nice but what is the definition of helping irak. You mean the bombs, the many civilian victims, or being without water and food suply? Strange help. U americans forget one big thing in ur war mentality. You are agressors..u started an invasion of another country without the legallisation of the world community. And without being attacked or being in danger…irak is no danger for the world. I was not afraid of irak. So america sees itself as world police. Of course the iraq regime is cruel and bad but which country should be able to descide on their own which government is bad and so they can invasion the country. AND usa is intolerant because he didnt accept any other positions and made “old europe” to a dumb place..not very adult for the world leader. I think its more than nasty to think usa make all this for humanity…usa never did….
@maryjane Glaubs auch das das wenig Sinn macht…amis sind noch net soweit wie wir alten europäer
Aber kein wunder die beten schon in der Schule auf die Flagge und bei den patriotischen Medien wo alles immer super läuft > cnn ist ja schon ne halbe hollywood produktion. Darüberhinaus lieben die Waffen und dazu noch bissel dummheit gepaart mit Intoleranz Oberflächlichkeit und Aroganz… ;o)
April 4, 2003 - 12:23 PM on April 4th, 2003
This was a brilliant article. I’m not surprised by the brainwashed German’s views. I won’t waste my time.
April 4, 2003 - 12:47 PM on April 4th, 2003
I agree Jeanie, great article!! Maybe Cosmo & Maryjane are Hitler’s little children since they are siding with the protestors and not the American majority? Did you think we don’t understand German? Please!
April 5, 2003 - 12:47 AM on April 5th, 2003
Cosmo and Maryjane-
We are helping Iraq. Are you completely ignorant of the situation in Iraq prior to this war? It is impossible to conclude that the results of this war will not be an improvement in the lives of the Iraqi people. We have killed a few, to be sure, but that number pales in comparison to the number killed by Saddam.
As for this war being started without approval by international law- go to my website and check out what I wrote about Resolution 1441. This war is clearly mandated by the UN, whether you like it or not. And I’m confused, how is didving Europe between Old Europe and New Europe offensive? Should we no longer use the term ‘old world’ as it offends your delicate European ears? And you’re correct, we are not invading Iraq to liberate her people but rather to alleviate the threat posed by the nation.
April 7, 2003 - 03:24 AM on April 7th, 2003
yeh, michael…thank u very much for your help! we always wanted a usa without a system in the own country n a couple of bus**tting republicans saving the world…YEH, i dreamed of that…and u cara lynn, go tell your black slaves, they can go home now cause they’re free!
your stupid troops killed more own soldiers than iraqis…hehe…uu, respect!
f**k u guys with the hitlers children…damn, my big aunt were killed by them cause she was jewish n my grandma was a refugee…u have no idea how that was, no f**king idea…u didnt ever made a footstep in europe…u dont know s**t what is happening…shame on u cara, talking bout that…open your ears in your history lessons.. or do u only have american history in school?
well, 500 more days with bush…hahaha…n i hope cheney, wolfowitz ‘n rumsfeld are going to be kick out too…u guys have no respect for any other country, the usa is not the only country in the world…damn, ure so ignorant…why the f**k do u have the feeling to play the world policemen? u ignored the genfer konvention, while u arrested many afganhistans treated them like the last s**t…’n know the iraqis are playing with your troops and rumsfeld is crying cuase the genfer konvention is against that…hey, f**k u! don’t play your own rules…the usa is not alone on this world…but hey, if u don’t watch fox news for once…maybe u’ll see that…
a bit more respect for other opinions ok? and alot more respect for other countries…
April 7, 2003 - 03:27 AM on April 7th, 2003
hey cosmo…siehste das? die nennen uns tatsächlich auch auf dieser page hitlers kinder…es ist zum heulen und brüellä! und ach, die retten die welt…meinste diesen fox guckern ist noch zu retten? puh, bin richtig böse geworden…und anscheinend kann die schlampe cara noch deutsch, ja das wollen wir ja mal sehn…hey cara, verstehste mich? schreib doch zurück…
April 7, 2003 - 02:11 PM on April 7th, 2003
Ok, it’s been 20 years but with the help of my trusty dictionary here it goes……..
He Maryjane Schade finden Sie, dass Sie schwören und stinkende Sprache jedesmal gebrauchen(benutzen) müssen, eilen Sie dahin. Ich bedauere Sie sind über Ihr Land nicht ebenso leidenschaftlich, wie wir sind. Schade haben Sie dieselben Ansichten nicht, wie wir tun. So lassen Sie mich Sie das fragen, ” Warum kommen Sie zu dieser Seite(Lage) Tag für Tag und eilen hier dahin? ” Sicher ist es, nicht weil Sie denken, dass Sie dabei sind, uns zu beeinflussen, ist es?
Oh und übrigens ist Cara Lynn irische keltische Sprache nicht Deutsche.
April 7, 2003 - 02:38 PM on April 7th, 2003
Ok, here is the American version: (Note: I really stunk at German in high school!!)
Maryjane,
I’m sorry you think you have to swear and use bad language every time you post. I’m sorry you don’t have the same passion about your country as we do ours. I’m sorry that you don’t have the same views as we do. So you let me you ask this, ” Why do you come to this site day after day and post here? ” Surly it is, not because you think that you are going to change our views, is it?
Oh and incidentally Cara Lynn is an Irish Celtic not German.
April 11, 2003 - 11:05 PM on April 11th, 2003
This web site SUCKS!!! POST THAT!
April 11, 2003 - 11:07 PM on April 11th, 2003
This web site SUCKS!!! POST THAT!
April 12, 2003 - 01:51 AM on April 12th, 2003
Of all the issues raised on this site, I have to disagree with, all but one – Iraq would, or at least should be better off without Hussein.
But how do you ‘patriots’ not get infuriated by the fact that we helped put him in power, supported him while he gassed the kurds and Iran, and, worst of all to anyone who says their main concern is to support the troops – gulf war syndrome is a reality, the military used and still uses depleted uranium missiles, only the first time they didnt even tell the soldiers. Cluster bombs are being condemned by human rights groups. For those of you who don’t care about lives other than americans, 2 U.S. soldiers have already been killed by unexploded cluster bombs.
The history of the military – agent orange, chemical testing performed on unknowing soldiers in the past, and basically military strategy in general – marines sent in for ‘body counts’, pretty much dropped into Korea undermanned, even in world war II thousands of soldiers sent to their deaths over political battles for meaningless turf -
all these things add up to SOLDIER’S LIVES ARE NOT VALUED BY THE GOVERNMENT. support the troops? – get them out of there!
As for making the world (ie, the U.S.) safer, Sept. 11th has nothing to do with Iraq. Bush has all but admitted no connection has been made, try as they have…
The CIA and many former military have said this war will increase, not diminish terrorism.
And many have argued that the lesson to rogue nations is ‘build up your nuclear arsenal or else the U.S. might kick your ass’. No way we go into Iraq if they really had the potential to nuke us or Israel (have they been annexed yet?)
As for the attack on actors speaking out even though they are ‘uninformed idiots’, well no one seems to hold that against politicians! I think public statements about Bush being a moron are pointless, even though i agree with them; i think Michael Moore comes off like his main goal is to twist people’s words to make them look stupid. sort of like Rush, only Moore has the guts to debate at least (not that he’s very good at it)
but i’ve been extremely impressed with how well informed garafalo is. anyway, if they have no right to speak out because they are ‘only actors’ then what right do we have to have this discussion? by that logic only elected leaders are entitled to voice their opinion. better tear down this website, a lot of amateurs are spouting off irresponsibly. better leave politics to the politicians. might as well not vote for that matter.
as for making Iraq a better place, i sure hope that happens, now that we are there. but that’s sure not the case in afghanistan.
two other points i’d like to see conservatives address: should we go and liberate every country from dictators? and how do you feel about the fact that Bush was a war dodger himself?
April 12, 2003 - 09:58 AM on April 12th, 2003
These German people are just pissed off we KICKED their a$$ in WWII. And the French pansies should remember that without the USA they would be wearing Swasikas and thier kids would be in the Hitler youth.
April 12, 2003 - 10:27 AM on April 12th, 2003
Right on Greg…I was waiting for someone to come along with an intelligent and FACTUALLY supported argument. These conservative (uh..they call themselves “patriots”?) can only spit out rhetoric and propoganda which they repeat like well trained parrots that watch too much t.v. (Owned and operated by Military Contractors, and right wing media moguls…do the research, you’ll find it’s true) Not much of a mind of their own…or passion to actually take part in educating themselves to good facts (speaking of facts, are you all aware that everything BUSH said in his address to the nation to support attacking Iraq while giving Saddam 48 hours to leave his own country (against international law), was proven to be false, i.e. a LIE…didn’t they impeach a president for lieing about his sex life? THIS BUNCH of lies has cost American Soldiers lives as well as innocent Iraqi civilians). Here’s a tip people…so you don’t make yourself look like a mental vegetable posting crap full of holes like this, shut off your t.v., read a history book or two (Rush Limbaugh autobiographies don’t count) and visit some internet sights to do research on your own (and I’m not talking about MSNBC’s page, NBC’s page, FOX’s page or CNN…that’s NOT research…that’s buying propoganda), if you take control of your own mind, you will post better arguments, and people can take your point of view more seriously. As it is…every argument I’ve seen here aside from Greg’s, has been like swiss cheese that a high-school debate student with average skills in the logic department could tear to pieces. I’m surprised more people haven’t.
Next, I’d like to see is a post or two from these…”patriots” on the Patriot Act. How do they feel about this administration killing the Bill of Rights, and taking away the “Freedom” from their “Free” country? Wasn’t Bush sworn to protect the constitution, not destroy it? Isn’t destroying the constitution an impeachable offencse? Don’t you care about the freedom the American activists died to give you? And…boycott Hollywood? The idea in and of itself just shows how sharp they are…(answer: about as sharp as a No. 2 pencil at the end of their SAT’s…if they ever got that far). Think about it, McArthy, or were you too busy attending a cross burning to study that in school…or maybe they don’t teach history in Salem? Boycotting Hollywood to protest the views of free Americans is like tearing down the Statue of Liberty to protest France. If you’re mad at Saddam, then you’d be better off boycotting companies that create the chemicals used in chemical weapons, the oil companies that ticked off Saddam in the first place and the companies that donated heavily to politicians (read Republican Party) campaigns who created Saddam in the first place.
April 12, 2003 - 10:33 AM on April 12th, 2003
This is one fine cite. I know now who to spit on and who to send peggies for. Keep up the work on the germanies…they need it.
Long love our might sword–swift and terrible it be on the heathen!!
April 12, 2003 - 06:19 PM on April 12th, 2003
Now here is a guy who tells it like it is! I know this isn’t the place for it but thought others would like to read the words of my new hero, John Shelley!
http://www.gdnctr.com/apr_11_03.htm
April 12, 2003 - 10:17 PM on April 12th, 2003
We all love our U.S. troops. They are our sons and daughters, sisters and brothers, our neighbors. Virtually all Americans honor and respect them more deeply than words can convey. We can love our troops and our great country and STILL DISAGREE WITH ONE MAN: George W. Bush. But we DO NOT agree with Bush’s REAL motives and his illegal acts that started this war, which will ultimately result in a 100-fold increase in terrorist activity toward the U.S.
While we’re on the topic of small-minded people, do the terms “McCarthyism” or”blacklisting” ring any bells for the ding dongs in your “Boycott Hollywood” idiot’s club?
One thing our beloved troops believed they were fighting for is democracy (although foisting ANY ideology down another country’s throat is anti-free thinking and anti-democratic). Our great ideology has always been: “I may disagree with what you say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.”
Celebrities have as much right to speak their minds as anyone in a free nation. I applaud them.
If you actually think BUSH broke US policy and launched an unprovoked war, killing thousands, for any other reason than to secure the Iraq oil feilds YOU ARE BIGGER MORONS than the 9/11 terrorists.
So you think we attacked Saddam to bring down a dictator? Then why haven’t we brought down Castor and liberated his suffering masses? Why didn’t we bring down the right-wing regime in El Salvador guilty of slaughtering thousands for their political beliefs in the late ’70s. We actually gave them money and advisors. Why do we tolerate dictators just about anywhere else UNLESS if they have some natural resource or other interest we want to exploit?
Patriotism is wonderful. But your brand of patriotism smacks more of the communist mind-control police than that of intelligent, compassionate, open-minded REAL Americans.
History will prove you all as WRONG as McCarthy or any petty bigot hiding wrongly behind our American flag.
Even though I would just as soon see you burn in hell and die, I would defend to the death your right to be dead wrong.
PUT THAT ON YOUR BLACKLIST AND SMOKE IT.
April 13, 2003 - 03:24 AM on April 13th, 2003
Any actor or actress that sounds out aganist our country has their rights. BUT I have the right to never watch a production they star in. The actors are just that… ACTORS THAT READ A SCRIPT. Our troops are the real thing. I hope that the actors go to another country to read their lines. I am boycotting all actors that were vocal. They choose the wrong lines to read as far as I am concerned I don’t care about your spoiled lifestyle .
April 13, 2003 - 09:25 PM on April 13th, 2003
This is the greatest website. I despise the 8th-grade mentality of the Hollywood Leftists/Marxists/Socialist set. Why don’t they shut up and let the Harvard-educated president who actually took a college-level HISTORY class run the show. Actually, I love to hate them; love to boycott their movies; love to turn off the TV if their mugs appear on my screen. Saradon, Streisand (notice I spelled it correctly; I took college history classes too, Babs); Baldwin, Sheen, Penn, Cher, Lange – would you all just try to get your GED’s and please shut the hell up. Better yet, sell your mansions and move to a socialist country where you will be better received.
April 14, 2003 - 07:46 AM on April 14th, 2003
@amy
U are very ill u really need harvard-educated help!!
I guess u are on the opinion tolet bush also think for ya..
April 14, 2003 - 06:18 PM on April 14th, 2003
Very interesting website. I am a Republican, and a supporter of this war. However, I do not support your boycott, and let me tell you why:
The first liberty of every American is to criticize his govt. When enacting the First Amendment, the founding fathers were not trying to protect pornographers and artists, but the people, like Alec Baldwin and Barbra Streisand, who are openly (albeit, in my humble opinion, ignorantly) criticizing our govt. Thus, I will not participate in any program that attempts to strip any American, no matter how wrong or how stupid I think he is, of his God given right to speak his mind and question his leaders.
The best way to prove one’s point is not through censorship, but through open debate. Therefore, I say let the Hollywood left speak its mind. That way, we can see how stupid, uneducated, and wrong they are. We will never know who the fools are until they speak. Do you really think they are convincing anybody? Do you think that there are people in America whose political views are swayed by Barbra Streisand or Tim Robbins? Of course not. Who the hell is Tim Robbins anymore? Is he even a celebrity? So, why are we, as Republicans, getting so worked up about what these people think? We have no right to force people, through a boycott, etc., into believing what we believe. I want to live in a world where people disagree with me.
There are intelligent, learned, people who are opposed to the war, and who can intelligently and convincingly tell you why. I disagree with them. Moreover, it just so happens that none of them are actors. But even if their position were entirely unsupportable, how does that justify giving them less of a right to disseminate it?
Accordingly, I will fight anyone to the death to protect the right of Michael Moore to present his opinion; and all I ask in return is that he fight to the death for my right to tell the world how ignorant, wrong, and undeveloped I think his arguments are. Besides, wouldn’t you rather the world know he is a blithering idiot, as it now does, than have him and his communist ideals lurking in the shadows? I say root out the idiots; and the best way to do that is to give them a forum.
So, I don’t think any boycott is right. If I choose not to watch an Alec Baldwin movie, it will be because he is a horrible actor, not because of his political views. The very right that we are denouncing the left for exploiting is the very right on which we might someday rely. There is nothing un-American about questioning your govt. In fact, according to Thomas Jefferson, it is the most patriotic thing you can do. Moreover, the Constitution’s framers did not place a “time of war” exception in the First Amendment, the way they did in the Third. It is never unpatriotic to question your govt, especially during war. I only ask that you never question the hearts and fortitude of the men and women who fight our wars. So, please, do not judge harshly those who criticize the president simply because they disagree with you. Rather, laugh at their ineptitude and point out the fallacies in their unsupported arguments. We all have the right to be wrong, which leads to our right to be laughed at.
I grant you that most Holloywood actors are uneducated. Under our Constitution, that does not make their opinions less valid than one who graduated from Harvard. Going to Harvard does not necessarily grant you the wisdom to run a country or see the future. I got my undergrad degrees from a state flagship university in the midwest, and intellectually, I’ll bury anyone from Harvard you throw at me. Regardless, the fact that I have higher degrees does not make my points any more valid than one who does not. My father was an enlisted man who did not go to college until he was in his 50’s, and he is, without a doubt, the most brilliant mind I’ve ever met. Obviously, that is not to say that Cher or Susan Sarandon are closet geniuses, but my point is that if we judged each man by his paper education before we considered his views, some of the greatest thoughts and inventions in history would have been lost.
So, question authority, in whatever form it comes, and then make up your own mind. That said, I support this war. I support it because I feel our interests were at stake. But before I decided I was for the war, I questioned it extensively. And I will question the next decision our leaders make. And I will question it for no other reason than because I am fortunate enough to live somewhere that I can.
I apologize for the length.
Thank you for the forum.
April 14, 2003 - 11:17 PM on April 14th, 2003
As a 20 year retired veteran I have to say I view this site with mixed emotions. For more than 20 years I fufilled my oath to defend the constitution. I believe in the right to freedom of speech. Although I don’t agree with many of the actors and their stances I do agree they have a right to speak freely. But in all the clamor for free speech some folks seem to forget that with these freedoms comes some responsibility. Yes you have freedom to speak but yelling “fire” in a crowded theater that causes the death of some people is not responsible use of that freedom. I am concerned how the words of some of these actors could be used against our men and women in the military to undermine their efforts, possibly causing their being hurt or killed. It was a horrible thing that many men in the military felt when Jane Fonda visited Viet Nam. These brave men and women don’t deserve to be made to feel their country doesn’t support them.
This site is a means of other’s expressing their freedom to speak against the actors they disagree with. You can’t have it both ways. Many of the actors blasted Americans when they spoke out against Clinton and his actions and now they speak against Bush and are surprised at the negative reaction.
As for the people in other countries, it is a shame they don’t understand our system better. They fault us for trying to be the “World Policemen”. If America had stayed neutral Hitler would have done a lot worse than he did. I can’t say I agree with all of America’s policies and I know they have helped certain dictators (like Saddam) and are not even handed in human rights. I hope that at least as a whole America is trying to help make the world a better place. There is no country in the world that is perfect and has the right answers to all of the problems in the world. The events of September have shown that no country in the world can sit by and do nothing when innocent men, women and children are killed. I would also like to think that if 9/11 were to happen in other countries….like say France or Germany, that America would be at the forefront to help and support the other country in ensuring this didn’t happen again. And as other countries are pointing fingers, remember that Saddam got a lot of his weapons from some of the same countries telling us we are wrong.
I see news reports on how things are in Irag and yes I do regret the death of any innocents, but can’t help feeling the Iraquis will will be better off without Saddam. They would not tear down statues or yell down with Saddam if they weren’t glad to be out from under his control. I find it mind boggling that after all the reports coming out of Iraq that people still think we are wrong to be there. There is no doubt he violated the peace agreement he signed which alone is justification for us to be there. There is also evidence that Saddam did have a hand in the terrorism in the world.
In summary, I do support the actors the right to speak their views but feel they should think carefully if those words will hurt the men and women they say they support. I also feel that speaking derogatorily about the President is not respectful of the position if you don’t respect the man. From experience I know that is hard to do, I had to respect the position of Commander in Chief even though the man who held that position lied and misused his presidential power. If you want to make a protest at least make intelligent statements. Also if you do speak out, expect some to disagree with you and give them the respect for their opinion that you expect.
As for other countries, they should make sure their own government aren’t as as fault for the situation in other countries before the point fingers at us. You know like selling arms, chemicals, nuclear power, etc. to countries that are supporters of terrorism. I would also say that I personnaly would not sit quietly while someone burned a flag of another country and would not dream of demeaning someone because they have pride in their country and defend their current leader.
I am glad in this country we can have the freedom to speak out, I agree we should question our government (but not at the expense of someones life), we should exercise our right to vote for or against those we agree with or disagree with as appropriate. We should also not be disrespectful of those who are doing their best to carry out their duty. We should all of us, no matter what country we are from, try to make this world a better place for all, preventing slavery, racial or religious genocide, and do so regardless of natural resources.
Well guess I ran longer than intended but feel very strongly about my country and what I feel we are trying to do in the world. I also think our focus should be on the men and women bravely doing their job, and we should debate this when they are out of harms way. We should also support the Iraquis in developing a government of their choice that prevent the attrocities under Saddam.
Knowing the true cost of war I can truly wish for peace, but know that this will not occur until everyone is willing to settle their issues peacefully. Saddam and the terrorist in this world would not settle as shown by their actions.
Instead of arguing with each other we should work together to make the world better.
Thanks for letting me rant. Hmmm maybe I will give Dennis Miller a run for his money.
April 15, 2003 - 01:21 PM on April 15th, 2003
MaryJane and Cosmo,
Apparently you guys have no clue as to what you are talking about. I think you like to go along with the trend of Hollywood’s anti-war protesters.
I agree, I think everyone has a right to freedom of speech, and they should be able to voice their opinion. But how can you sit there and bash our country like that when there is thousands upon thousands of troops going to risk their lives to protect us and also to protect the world. How can you sit there and say what we are doing is illegal and wrong when Saddam Hussein and his children committed such horrible crimes to the citizens of his country? Do these “celebrities” have any kind of morals? IN my opinion I think some of these people thought it would be a great way to stir up some attention for themselves…..apparentlythey just made themselves look like a bunch of jerk offs. They should really stop wasting their time opposing the war and pray for our troops. They should shed their political views appropriatly, not during this time when families are grieving over “their” fallen soldier. In that sense you can see how cold hearted and starved for attention our celebrities can be.
April 24, 2003 - 08:02 PM on April 24th, 2003
I have a few Questions:
Why do you have to you have to swear and use bad language maryjane?
Why is every german, or austrian a child of hitler?
Are we responsible for what our fathers and grandfathers did?
Why is war and agression so often considert as the only solution?
Why does the USA need so many weapons of mass destruction?
Why do people in the USA need so many gun at home (who are they afraid of?)?
Who has the right to kill a person (even if this person is a diktator and murderer)?
Are all people killed in irak murderer or diktators?
Is a soldier a murderer, if he killed a person in a war?
Who killed more people Saddam Hussein, or George W. Bush (signing death penaltys as senator of texas)?
Certainly Mr. Hussein killed more people, but is the quantity important?
The USA is considert to be a country of democracy, but is the president of this country elected in an democratic way?
Why does the goverment of the USA refuses to do what they signed in the contract of Kioto?
Is Peace and stopping the polution of Nature only the concern of Hippies and Nature-freaks?
What do the brave US-soldiers risk their life for?
Why did the US-goverment support dictators in the past,just because they were against kommunism?
Why did the US-goverment suply them with weapons?
How can someone, who has and uses so much power be so irresponsible?
Will the US-goverment, let the Iraki people form their own democratic goverment, or will they at least stop the chaos they brougt to Irak?
Is the reason that something brings money and power good enought to kill people?
Is every muslim a terrorist?
Are you brainwashed by CNN?
How can anybody be proud of a country, that does no attempt to save the resources of Nature for the next generations, that kills so many innocent people (directly and indirectly) and lies to its own people about the real purpose of the Irak-war?
Statements:
I was really very shocked by what some of the people here wrote!
I am not proud of my country (Austria), but sometimes i can’t help beeing proud not to live in the USA, but in the “old” europe.
I know it is wrong to be proud of a nation or something like that. I think peolpe should start to be proud (or not proud) of themselves instead of nations and nationalitys or races.
I know some of my questions are naive, but they are certainly worth to think about them.
Apologies:
I am sorry if anybody is offended by what i wrote, but i just had to say it!
If you see any misspellings or gramatical errors, note what i am not a native english-speaker.
PLEASE feel free to answer my questions, but please don’t swear.
April 24, 2003 - 08:52 PM on April 24th, 2003
I read the post by C Edwards only after i wrote my questions and I see that some of them are answerd partly by this man. I strongly sugest that everyone who enters this page should read his statement, because he has really something to say!
However my questions remain to be answert (if anyone wants to i would be pleased).
I am still against the irak and syria war and i would like to ad a question, that i forgot:
Is there any country (including the US) where there really is freedom of speach?
Is there no censorship in the USA (excluding pornography and analogous)?
I once heard (i don’t know if it’s true) that after the 11.September the song “Imagine” by John Lennon was not alowed to be played on radio in USA and GB. (For what reason?)
I can’t imagine what it is like, when something like that happens near where you live, but i think this would have been the right song for the right moment!
April 28, 2003 - 04:14 PM on April 28th, 2003
already forgotten MacCarthy?
April 29, 2003 - 01:08 PM on April 29th, 2003
Goering: “…It is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship.”
Gilbert: “There is one difference. In a democracy the people have some say in the matter through their elected representatives, and in the United States only Congress can declare wars.”
Goering: “Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.”
(Nazi leader Hermann Goering was interviewed by Gustave Gilbert, the prison psychologist who observed and interviewed the Nuremberg prisoners. The quote above is from Gilbert’s book Nuremberg Diary.)
October 5, 2005 - 06:40 PM on October 5th, 2005
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