Quote from freealways:
I just was absolutely disgusted to see how you (Rs7) kept on and on, rubbing it in, belittling Lundy, because he happened to have made several spelling mistakes.
I am sorry if I offended your sensibilities. While I admit to having hammered Lundy on his spelling, it was truly my intention to point out that ignorance seems to breed ignorance. I could not care less if someone can not spell. If I did not use the spellchecker, I assure you that I would make some spelling errors myself. We all do.
But it was just too tempting to point out in my arguments against Lundy's closed minded bigotry and his absurd assertions.
If you read what I wrote, and what I have written, I hope you will see that I have been pretty consistent in my position of opposing all those who preach hatred. Of those who stereotype, and of those who demonstrate narrow mindedness.
I was one of the very few to stand by Lundy when he was taking so much abuse for calling a bottom to the market several months ago. I defended his right to express his opinion, while virtually everyone was slamming him because he turned out to be wrong. I gave him credit for sticking his neck out and for standing up for himself. Which is why I said here more recently (in so many words) that I was disappointed in his remarks. I expected better from him. I thought it sadly weak listening to his argument that calling someone a "fahgot" was an effective way to make people "stop and think". That it was a way to really accomplish anything at all other than to hurt his own cause.
Alphonso seems (at least to me;, as I said, I have not read all his posts), to be a counterpart to American patriotism; he is apparently quite anti-American. And so even though I am on the opposite side of the issue from him and his rhetoric, I have not noticed him calling for the incarceration of his opponents (like MondoTrader has). Or his using defamation and personal insults to make his points. So while I agree more, in general, with Mondo's politics (and Lundy's..at least as far as being Pro-American) and disagree strongly with those of Alphonso and MSFE, I find the tactics of "debate" to be quite weak coming from guys that have nothing to strengthen their arguments other than "we are right, and you are faghots, and if you don't love America, move to France". MSFE, who to me, also makes his points in the weakest possible ways (by cut and pasting and offering virtually no insight of his own), So I can be critical of him on two fronts. His positions (which I find distasteful) and his presentation of his positions, which is just to quote others.
Hapaboy, who I think goes overboard in his zealous attempts to wrap himself in the American flag....America love it or leave it.... at least I can credit him for expressing his own thoughts. That they are a bit extreme for my tastes is something else. But I have not heard him clamor to imprison those who disagree with him as has Mondo. (Then again, anyone who thinks all drug dealers should be executed....well maybe I give him too much credit).
And so it frustrates me that it seems those with whom I disagree (as far as being pro-american, which I am, and those who are anti-American which I clearly am not) those who I oppose seem NOT to be making their arguments illogical and aggressive on a personal level. (yes, there have been transgressions on both sides). But the kinds of things that I have read lately from our "super patriot" types like Mondo and Lundy seem scarier to me than the anti-American posts presented by Alfonso (who comes to mind). MSFE is a different story. He has not expressed his own feelings, he just looks for news stories to support his position. Also a very weak way to make an argument. And another way to point out his narrowminded point of view. But not scary like Mondo is. Not so xenophobic and narrow minded as to make me believe he is as close to a Nazi as you can get without actually acting out on it. (Mondo has said that half the "damn democrats should be in jail for sedition" This kind of thinking just seems scary to me. Very much like the politics of Hitler before the second world war began).
I am sorry if you think I "give jews a bad name". However I don't see where this comes into the argument. It, like Lundy's stereotyping of gays seems to weaken your argument. But then you apologize in a follow up post. So I assume after some thought, you have had a change of heart. Well, I accept your apology, and I myself apologize if I said anything to reflect poorly on the Jewish people as a whole. While I don't see how I could have, and additionally since a lot of what I have said is coming from my close association with the Anti Defamation League, which fights prejudice and bigotry of all kinds (even though it was formed as a Jewish organization).
Every American president has endorsed the ADL since at least Kennedy (to my knowledge...and most certainly his predecessors did as well, but that is before my time). I have been at events for ADL over the past several years in which George Bush Sr., Collin Powell, Bill Bradley, Harry Belafonte, and Sam Donaldson were the featured speakers. Margaret Thatcher was a no-show and was replaced at the last minute by Sam Donaldson, who was pretty good...Colin Powell was the best of the lot that I saw and heard. None of them Jews, all of them supporters of the ADL cause. And so, I have been pretty well indoctrinated in the politics of "tolerance". Which has nothing to do with "liberal vs. conservative" or "Republican vs. Democrat". It only has to do with standing together as Americans against racism, bigotry, and hatred.
We don't need any of that in the REAL AMERICA.
What we do need is solidarity against the tyrannical regimes of guys like Saddam. And we need to win this war on terrorism. But preaching hatred and intolerance brings us down off our higher moral ground. We truly are fighting what is advertised as a war of the just vs. the evildoers. Let's keep our distinction clear.
Rs7
