Quote from hapaboy:
Let's see, I support our President's position regarding Iraq, believe in the right to bear arms (even though I don't own one), and I support the death penalty. This makes me a right-wing extremist? Hilarious. I thus estimate that about half of the US then is right wing and extremist. By your logic, the other half is undoubtedly Marxist to the core.
You are now claiming to be a moderate conservative?
No. I'm saying they couldn't do the job as well as regular military forces. Stop putting words in my mouth.
So you are saying the Guard would not be effective in helping to combat terrorism here at home with a little training?
If mothers and homemakers were effective in helping to reduce neighborhood crime with crime-watch programs, explain why the Guard would not be helpful in homeland security.
Neither was I. Your original posting on this subject was muddled and unclear, but what's new?
Show me what was muddled and unclear about the initial post. Show me where the logic and reasoning was incorrect.
Careful, you're getting emotional again.
Your copycat approach is ineffective.
Who are you, Dr. Spock? As far as the name calling and fallacies go, your posts are rife with them.
Point them out if you need to.
Hardly. And apparently you are a gifted mindreader as well. You are indeed very, very special.
So you are saying you read the entire speech with an open mind?
Again, the characteristics you mention above describe you perfectly. Are you sure you did not begin this thread for introspective reasons?
I began this thread so people who have an open mind can begin to understand how Bush and company operates, and the danger of that kind of thinking.
Anyways, unless I'm mistaken, 9/11 was largely a result of US troops being based on Saudi soil, which bin Laden saw as an affront to Islam. That and our wicked and decadent lifestyle. So, wise one, what manner would you like us to place blame on ourselves? How shall we direct this blame inward? Weren't our troops and equipment in Saudi as a result of Hussein's invasion of Kuwait? Ah yes, I forget, apparently our ambassador gave Saddam the green light to invade Kuwait. Sorry, I forgot my leftie training for a sec!
Do you understand the difference between the concept of blame and responsibility? My point is that we don't exist in a vacuum, and that our relationship with the rest of the world is dynamic. If those who react to us are consistently negative, we can conclude we are blameless, or have some responsibility in the relationship. If you were completely objective, not American, you could see that the United States is guilty of many acts that generate hatred among other countries. While many were shocked by 911, is it really a surprise that the way we have operated with our policy could generate that kind of response?
Are we to blame for what happened? Maybe not, but we are partially responsible, as we do make choices that are often self centered.
It takes a new seed to yield a new crop. What we see in Israel with terrorism continues unabated because there is no spirit or willingness to compromise from both sides.
We summarily dismiss any dissenting ideas and opinions of our enemies in the exact same manner.
You can conclude that the terrorists are just agents of the Devil, and just pure evil, but I don't accept that Biblical style premise, as the underlying premise is that we are Godly, righteous and good in all that we do.
And this whole decadent culture of ours - shame on us. How arrogant of us to pursue careers that allow us to provide for our own and to live a comfortable life! And we are so self-centered for considering our system of government comparatively fair and respectful of the average citizen. We need to transition to dictatorship ASAP. And how self righteous of us to believe all citizens have basic rights, including women. Let's all forget about capitalism and embrace Islamic fundamentalism. By accepting the blame we will understand why we are hated so much, and all our fellow citizens of the world will just leave us be. We all know anyway that Muslims never have conflicts with other Muslims, that it is a religion of peace, so of course we will be safe. Problem solved.
Sarcasm appears to be your stock method of argumentation.
As usual, taken out of context. And BTW, Hussein is a sadistic megalomaniac whose goal was to unite the Arabs under his leadership. Joke all you want about Bush, but you can't say the same thing about him. Last time I checked he wasn't letting his stooges rape women dragged off the street, invading Canada or Mexico, throwing Democrats or suspected Democrats or relatives of Democrats feet-first into grinding machines, or pocketing billions of dollars earmarked to feed his people.
Is Bush acting primarily on his own? I would say so. Does he feel self righteous in the process, envisioning himself on some crusade against evil? I would say so.
Again, it is in Bush's approach to problem solving I have issues with. He acts in a unilateral manner that is similar to how other world leaders who were totalitarian in approach acted.
So it would be better for Bush to play principal and lambaste his aides in public every time they have a disagreement with the lefties or get fed up with their baiting? Please, even you can see the foolishness of such an action.
Is Bush the leader of the Republican party?
If he knows what kind of tactics are used by those in his party, and he allows the behavior to continue, he is condoning the action.
Since this style of behavior continues unabated, he is not lambasting them either publicly or privately.
Exactly. Note how I began my first post with IMHO. Everything you have written is your opinion only as well. We're just two people with differing opinions. What separates us is that you fail to illustrate your opinions with examples and are loathe to respond to direct questions. Instead you ignore the core of the matter and spin off in tangents while spewing nonsensical psycho babble.
If you read the argument that began this thread, feel free to show me where the reasoning was incorrect, and where the fallacy in the reasoning process was. You have not countered the initial argument in any manner.
Evasion is a key element of your modus operandi. Always has been, always will.
Opinion without offer of any proof. Using the world "always" in this context is typical of extreme black and white thinking. You continue to apply ad hominem techniques of argumentation, which serve no effective purpose that I can see except to meet some emotional requirement on your side.