Author Topic: Free Speech .... Burn it!  (Read 1562 times)

Offline wrag

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Free Speech .... Burn it!
« Reply #75 on: June 29, 2006, 01:44:05 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by Furious
are you serious?


Me?

Yes I am.

IMHO nothing is free.  Yet the courts have given those who wish to insult perhaps even spit on those who died bearing that flag a FREE PASS.  To freely trash  what that flag stands for or at one time stood for.  The claim is it's aimmed at our government.  Sorry I don't buy that and never did.  IMHO it's aimmed at we the people.  IMHO if you want to burn that flag in the presence of certain we the people then you really should be prepared for the reaction, the consequnces.  For I seriously doubt you will go unscathed.

Wasn't that long ago there was a line that one crossed with expectations of a reaction.  Some times even a violent reaction.  Usually if one received some lumps for crossing that line the matter was finished.  Now its court.  I wish to say that I also believe there were times in our past when physical violence was abused, unnessasary, unneeded.

Somewhere along the way physical violence has become a NO NO.

Never mind that all through nature every second something is KILLING something in order to stay alive.

I submit, that violence is a part of us all, a valid part.  

Do I wish to promote that violence?  Do I wish to see it?  Do I wish to preform it?

Not particalurly (ugh gotta get a spell checker LOL).  But I do very much want those that may be considering commiting violence upon me or my family to fully understand I will react in the same manner.   I also wish it understood that I have values that I will defend.  With violence if such is made necassary by those that would violate them.  With what is appropriate considering the situation aka no more then what is required.

I am of the opinion that violence is, and always has been, a part of every civilization.

Where does this garbage of a civilized society shall NOT have, or be, violent come from.  IMHO that kinda garbage only places us in a position of DISADVANTAGE with the rest of the world.

Why?

"The generality of men are naturally apt to be swayed by fear rather than reverence, and to refrain from evil rather because of the punishment that it brings than because of its own foulness."
Aristotle (384-322 bc)
Greek philosopher

and.....

"Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws." - Plato

and............

"I think that the sacredness of human life is a purely municipal ideal of no  validity outside the jurisdiction. I believe that force, mitigated as far as may be by good manners, is the ultimate ratio, and between two groups of men that want to make inconsistent kinds of world I see no remedy except force . . . It seems to me that every society rests on the death of men."
Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes (1841-1935)
American jurist

and..............

"An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life." —Robert Heinlein

so I will say this ............................. . violence is here.  It has always been here.

It will not go away because we want it to.

It will no go away because we ask it to.

It will not obey if we order it to NOT BE, to NOT EXIST.

Should we FEAR it?  HIDE from it?  RUN from it?  

WHY?

Am I free if I must do this?  

Or does the violence somehow have greater freedom then I?

But it MIGHT seek another if it has FEAR.  If it KNOWS we understand it, and EMBRACE it, and that we will SHARE it with others if necassary, it may reconsider seeking us out.  In fact it may actually choose to become dormant in our presence.
It's been said we have three brains, one cobbled on top of the next. The stem is first, the reptilian brain; then the mammalian cerebellum; finally the over developed cerebral cortex.  They don't work together in awfully good harmony - hence ax murders, mobs, and socialism.

Offline Thud

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« Reply #76 on: June 29, 2006, 01:58:31 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by wrag
Where does this garbage of a civilized society shall NOT have, or be, violent come from.  IMHO that kinda garbage only places us in a position of DISADVANTAGE with the rest of the world.


I'm afraid that if everyone starts beating up everyone else at every sign of disagreement the US will be much more at a disadvantage than in your scenario.

Ever wondered why many African and Arab countries did fail to develop a solid economic, governmental and social structure? Because there violence is still an accepted or at least commonplace means of communication. If you want the US to plunge back to that level, your idea above is a surefire way to do so...

Offline Nash

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« Reply #77 on: June 29, 2006, 02:14:22 AM »
So then, basically... what you're saying is that each and every one of us should embrace our internal psycho?

...and what? We should just go around thumpin' folks because it's in our nature?

Christ... WTF kind of argument is that?

Just for starters....

The act of burning a flag is saying to the government: "We're not down with you." Earth, wind, cloth and fire.

That's all it is. Big deal.

So the spectacle of the government huddling together, wasting enormous amounts of man-hours to create legislation that would squash the criticism of itself is elementary school drama-queen stuff. Totally retarded.

How can a government possibly be more insecure than to have to piddle around with the criticism of itself in the form of flag burnings - which average out to one incident per year?

OOH NOOO! DON'T CRITICISE ME!...... or we'll make laws to outlaw it.

Boo frikken hoo.

One flag burning incident per year

One.

Education, health care, the fiasco that is the Iraq war, energy policy, an out of control defecit...... takes a back seat to FLAGS?

Get ahold of your sweet selves.

Offline Hangtime

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« Reply #78 on: June 29, 2006, 02:29:51 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by lasersailor184
Living Document, or not?

Do the words of the constitution mean something different?  Or do they mean exactly what they say?

Choose now Hang.  You can't have it both ways.


Jezzus grapefruit, son; who's the college student here, enh?
The price of Freedom is the willingness to do sudden battle, anywhere, any time and with utter recklessness...

...at home, or abroad.

Offline wrag

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« Reply #79 on: June 29, 2006, 08:15:24 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by Thud
I'm afraid that if everyone starts beating up everyone else at every sign of disagreement the US will be much more at a disadvantage than in your scenario.

Ever wondered why many African and Arab countries did fail to develop a solid economic, governmental and social structure? Because there violence is still an accepted or at least commonplace means of communication. If you want the US to plunge back to that level, your idea above is a surefire way to do so...


Hmmm.........  apparently there is a lack of communication here........... If the section quoted is taken within the context of what I posted hmmm...............

OK how about you explain where, or how, you came up with the above interpretation using what I posted?


(Waiting for the classic grab one line and take it out of context approach, wonder if it will happen?)
It's been said we have three brains, one cobbled on top of the next. The stem is first, the reptilian brain; then the mammalian cerebellum; finally the over developed cerebral cortex.  They don't work together in awfully good harmony - hence ax murders, mobs, and socialism.

Offline wrag

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« Reply #80 on: June 29, 2006, 09:02:07 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by Nash
So then, basically... what you're saying is that each and every one of us should embrace our internal psycho?"

  No... apparently that is what you wish I was saying?

"...and what? We should just go around thumpin' folks because it's in our nature?"


  IMHO this statement is quite a leap beyond what I posted.

"Christ... WTF kind of argument is that?"

IMHO this statement is quite a leap beyond what I posted. that is NOT my argument.  Is this an attempt to try and make it my argument?  You feel a need to curse now? What exactly does Christ have to do with it?

"Just for starters....

The act of burning a flag is saying to the government: "We're not down with you." Earth, wind, cloth and fire.

That's all it is. Big deal."


So now you are deciding for everyone what an action means, or should mean to them?  You are saying people must disregard the history and meaning of the flag?  Are you saying they must surrender their beliefs to your definition?  I wonder.... do you know, are you aware? ..... what many believe to be the meaning of the red strips? .... how about the white strips?  ...... the blue field? Is it possible that for many the flag does NOT represent our government?  Is it possible that for many the flag represents the shed blood, the wounds suffered, those that died?

"So the spectacle of the government huddling together, wasting enormous amounts of man-hours to create legislation that would squash the criticism of itself is elementary school drama-queen stuff. Totally retarded."

Apparently you are unaware of who it is that wants this amendment.  Because IMHO the government doesn't really care.  The government is responding to pressure placed upon it by a poriton of "we the people".  And you calling it an attempt by the government to squash criticism of the government does not make it so.

"How can a government possibly be more insecure than to have to piddle around with the criticism of itself in the form of flag burnings - which average out to one incident per year?"

I say again, it is not the government that seeks this, it is a portion of "we the people" that seeks this.  And I say again, that many disagree with your definition that the flag represents the government.

OOH NOOO! DON'T CRITICISE ME!...... or we'll make laws to outlaw it.

FYI many do not consider that action of burning the flag as criticism of government.

Boo frikken hoo.

One flag burning incident per year

One.

Education, health care, the fiasco that is the Iraq war, energy policy, an out of control defecit...... takes a back seat to FLAGS?

Get ahold of your sweet selves.


I edited this to add this one line that I somehow overlooked..... historicaly many did not consider burning the flag as criticism of government, most believed that burning the flag of another countries to be insult to that country, or more correctly and insult to the people of that country.  

IMHO a countries flag does not represent that countries government, except perhaps in the case of a dictatorship or such, but it's people.
« Last Edit: June 29, 2006, 09:16:13 AM by wrag »
It's been said we have three brains, one cobbled on top of the next. The stem is first, the reptilian brain; then the mammalian cerebellum; finally the over developed cerebral cortex.  They don't work together in awfully good harmony - hence ax murders, mobs, and socialism.

Offline Thud

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« Reply #81 on: June 29, 2006, 09:17:38 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by wrag
Hmmm.........  apparently there is a lack of communication here........... If the section quoted is taken within the context of what I posted hmmm...............

OK how about you explain where, or how, you came up with the above interpretation using what I posted?


(Waiting for the classic grab one line and take it out of context approach, wonder if it will happen?)


I interpreted your post as a complaint against the marginalizing / removal of violence from modern society, hence my response above.
If my synopsis is incorrect, please accept my apology and explain what you did mean by the post in question.

Offline wrag

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« Reply #82 on: June 29, 2006, 09:47:11 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by Thud
I interpreted your post as a complaint against the marginalizing / removal of violence from modern society, hence my response above.
If my synopsis is incorrect, please accept my apology and explain what you did mean by the post in question.


I interpreted your post as an oversimplification of my earlier post that also SEEMS to disregard/ignore much of the content of that post.

IMHO your synopsis is incorrect.  Please see the line above and reread my original post.

And your above post does NOT explain how you arrived at your earlier posted conclusion, and I'm pretty sure I asked how you arrived there.  It only says you arrived.  I'm really curious HOW you arrived at the statement you made earlier regarding my post?  Perhaps even what form of reasoning was used.




Just a little aside here .....I have often wonder if some actually read a post for it's content rather then for what they can use to attack others?  It SEEMS most often that this is NOT the case.
It's been said we have three brains, one cobbled on top of the next. The stem is first, the reptilian brain; then the mammalian cerebellum; finally the over developed cerebral cortex.  They don't work together in awfully good harmony - hence ax murders, mobs, and socialism.

Offline lasersailor184

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« Reply #83 on: June 29, 2006, 09:48:54 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by Hangtime
Jezzus grapefruit, son; who's the college student here, enh?


You didn't choose.
Punishr - N.D.M. Back in the air.
8.) Lasersailor 73 "Will lead the impending revolution from his keyboard"

Offline Hangtime

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« Reply #84 on: June 29, 2006, 10:37:59 AM »
LOL.. oh, yes I have. And so have you. We chose wisely. ;)
The price of Freedom is the willingness to do sudden battle, anywhere, any time and with utter recklessness...

...at home, or abroad.

Offline lasersailor184

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« Reply #85 on: June 29, 2006, 01:23:39 PM »
Oh, I know you've chosen.  I just want you to say it out loud for everyone to see.



That way, any statement you ever make in the future should be in line with what you choose.  Or we will mercessly insult you for it.
Punishr - N.D.M. Back in the air.
8.) Lasersailor 73 "Will lead the impending revolution from his keyboard"

Offline Hangtime

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« Reply #86 on: June 29, 2006, 01:27:25 PM »
I can take it. ;)  But, thanks for your concern.  :aok
The price of Freedom is the willingness to do sudden battle, anywhere, any time and with utter recklessness...

...at home, or abroad.

Offline Thud

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« Reply #87 on: June 30, 2006, 02:17:33 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by wrag
I interpreted your post as an oversimplification of my earlier post that also SEEMS to disregard/ignore much of the content of that post.

IMHO your synopsis is incorrect.  Please see the line above and reread my original post.

OK, I'll give it another try, somewhat more elaborate this time and it may have been somewhat provocative to shove your entire post's contents into a oneliner but I'll correct that one here. Let's disect your inital post:

(P1): "Flag-burning does not address the government but the people. Thus the people can legally be insulted / attacked."

(P2): "While actions led to reaction (possibly violent) in the past now it results in legal action". With some sidenotes.

(Loose sentences + P3): "Violence has been de facto removed from society, while if violence is perpetrated it should and will be answered in the same manner, contradicting the banning / marginalizing mentioned above."

(P4): "This 'unnatural' removal of violence from society puts us at a disadvantage against the rest of the world." (Unsupported by any practical considerations but instead...)

(Quotes): Underlining the points made in P4.

(P5 / Conclusion): "Violence cannot be negated in the way it is currently shut-out from society since it will seek one out regardless. Therefore one should accept its presence and both have and demonstrate the will to use it while therefore it may refrain from seeking one out and thus be negated after all."

Sorry, but taking all the contents of your post into account I still don't see anything more to it than I previously expressed. I interpret it as a claim against a society where many acts are unjustly not answered with appropriate measures (read violence under certain conditions).
The concept of legal action as reaction / measure / sanction seems to be often insufficient in your view (P2). Translated into tangible actions this seems compatible with my conclusion that you advocated violence as a means of reacting to violence within society, outside of the judcial system.

If so this will result in a society that I described in my initial conclusion and this is how I arrived there.

On your last paragraph, I view this as no more than an elaborate way to promote being violent at one point to underline your willingless to be violent so third parties will no longer be violent because of your willingnes to be violent hence no violence materializes at all.

Reminds me of the statement so ubiquitous after WWI: "This war has been so horrid that mankind will forever refrain from it."

Quote

Just a little aside here .....I have often wonder if some actually read a post for it's content rather then for what they can use to attack others?  It SEEMS most often that this is NOT the case.


Why this comment? The post before you added a post scriptum predicting that just one sentence would be highlighted. Consistently trying to discredit ones reponse before it has been given seems somewhat passive-aggressive to me.
BTW, I don't believe that I attacked you in any sense in my replies on your large post, just explained why I think that its angle has unwanted consequences, 'attack'?.

Offline wrag

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« Reply #88 on: June 30, 2006, 08:51:03 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by Thud
I'm afraid that if everyone starts beating up everyone else at every sign of disagreement the US will be much more at a disadvantage than in your scenario.

Ever wondered why many African and Arab countries did fail to develop a solid economic, governmental and social structure? Because there violence is still an accepted or at least commonplace means of communication. If you want the US to plunge back to that level, your idea above is a surefire way to do so...


America is not Africa nor an Arab country. IMHO you're comparing apples to oranges.  Further history is refered to in the post.   Here there was a time when it was acceptable to respond to violence with violence, even expected.  It might even be said it is becoming so again in some areas of the U.S.

NOTE:  Thud it is apparent to me that it is possible you do not understand the nature of my post and it is also possible, being in Europe, that you do not understand American History.

This part of your statement is what????  It is IMHO inaccurate regarding my post, ignores much of what was said in my post.

"I'm afraid that if everyone starts beating up everyone else at every sign of disagreement the US will be much more at a disadvantage than in your scenario."

Where do I say such in my post?  Please point out the location of such a statement.
It's been said we have three brains, one cobbled on top of the next. The stem is first, the reptilian brain; then the mammalian cerebellum; finally the over developed cerebral cortex.  They don't work together in awfully good harmony - hence ax murders, mobs, and socialism.

Offline wrag

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« Reply #89 on: June 30, 2006, 09:53:33 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by Thud
OK, I'll give it another try, somewhat more elaborate this time and it may have been somewhat provocative to shove your entire post's contents into a oneliner but I'll correct that one here. Let's disect your inital post:

(P1): "Flag-burning does not address the government but the people. Thus the people can legally be insulted / attacked."

(P2): "While actions led to reaction (possibly violent) in the past now it results in legal action". With some sidenotes.

(Loose sentences + P3): "Violence has been de facto removed from society, while if violence is perpetrated it should and will be answered in the same manner, contradicting the banning / marginalizing mentioned above."

(P4): "This 'unnatural' removal of violence from society puts us at a disadvantage against the rest of the world." (Unsupported by any practical considerations but instead...)

(Quotes): Underlining the points made in P4.

(P5 / Conclusion): "Violence cannot be negated in the way it is currently shut-out from society since it will seek one out regardless. Therefore one should accept its presence and both have and demonstrate the will to use it while therefore it may refrain from seeking one out and thus be negated after all."

Sorry, but taking all the contents of your post into account I still don't see anything more to it than I previously expressed. I interpret it as a claim against a society where many acts are unjustly not answered with appropriate measures (read violence under certain conditions).
The concept of legal action as reaction / measure / sanction seems to be often insufficient in your view (P2). Translated into tangible actions this seems compatible with my conclusion that you advocated violence as a means of reacting to violence within society, outside of the judcial system.

If so this will result in a society that I described in my initial conclusion and this is how I arrived there.

On your last paragraph, I view this as no more than an elaborate way to promote being violent at one point to underline your willingless to be violent so third parties will no longer be violent because of your willingnes to be violent hence no violence materializes at all.

Reminds me of the statement so ubiquitous after WWI: "This war has been so horrid that mankind will forever refrain from it."

 

Why this comment? The post before you added a post scriptum predicting that just one sentence would be highlighted. Consistently trying to discredit ones reponse before it has been given seems somewhat passive-aggressive to me.
BTW, I don't believe that I attacked you in any sense in my replies on your large post, just explained why I think that its angle has unwanted consequences, 'attack'?.




Quote
Originally posted by Thud
I'm afraid that if everyone starts beating up everyone else at every sign of disagreement the US will be much more at a disadvantage than in your scenario.

Ever wondered why many African and Arab countries did fail to develop a solid economic, governmental and social structure? Because there violence is still an accepted or at least commonplace means of communication. If you want the US to plunge back to that level, your idea above is a surefire way to do so...


America is not Africa nor an Arab country. IMHO you're comparing apples to oranges.  Further history is refered to in the post.   Here there was a time when it was acceptable to respond to violence with violence, even expected.  It might even be said it is becoming so again in some areas of the U.S.

NOTE:  Thud it is apparent to me that it is possible you do not understand the nature of my post and it is also possible, being in Europe, that you do not understand American History.

This part of your statement is what????  It is IMHO inaccurate regarding my post, ignores much of what was said in my post.

"I'm afraid that if everyone starts beating up everyone else at every sign of disagreement the US will be much more at a disadvantage than in your scenario."

Where do I say such in my post?  Please point out the location of such a statement.

Now to your response listed above.

Your P1 ..... the flag in this nation it one time represented the PEOPLE and not the government.  Further it has a history and a reason for every portion that goes into making it a flag.  It is not dipped in salute to anyone, or to any country.  Do you know why?  

Your P2 .... hmm well you sort of understand it there.  This is changing though.  The castle doctrine which was during the time I was a child, not written into law, was understood by all as being in effect.  During the late 60s and 70 much changed, and did so IMHO rapidly.  Much of what was then understood by most all but not necassarily written was brought into question or thrown out because it wasn't written.  Now the Castle Doctrine which was understood by the courts, lawyers, etc.  Is being written into LAW in some area of this country.

Your P3 .... hmmm.....  to me what I see here is a ?rewording? of what I said into a different form?  Not sure it even comes close to what I said.  I tend to think it matches what YOU THINK I said?  For me it just doesn't quite fit.

Your P4 ....  You SIR have inserted words I did NOT use, in several places in your post, and IMHO changed the meaning of what I said and FURTHER, and IMHO of greater interest, you have placed quotes around them as if these words were takin from my post.  I must ask here is this a deliberate misquote.  Do you normally take such liberties with the words of others?

The quotes say quit well what I consider to be truth.

Your P5 .....  Part of this is sort of ?accurate????  HMMMM..... I'm thinking here that a concept I am speaking about is perhaps cultural?  To me the wording you have chosen suggest that you understand only part of what I was trying to express.  Perhaps the failing lies with me?

and this.............

"Sorry, but taking all the contents of your post into account I still don't see anything more to it than I previously expressed. I interpret it as a claim against a society where many acts are unjustly not answered with appropriate measures (read violence under certain conditions).
The concept of legal action as reaction / measure / sanction seems to be often insufficient in your view (P2). Translated into tangible actions this seems compatible with my conclusion that you advocated violence as a means of reacting to violence within society, outside of the judcial system.

If so this will result in a society that I described in my initial conclusion and this is how I arrived there."

meaning this........

"I'm afraid that if everyone starts beating up everyone else at every sign of disagreement the US will be much more at a disadvantage than in your scenario.

Ever wondered why many African and Arab countries did fail to develop a solid economic, governmental and social structure? Because there violence is still an accepted or at least commonplace means of communication. If you want the US to plunge back to that level, your idea above is a surefire way to do so..."  

Has already been answered.  I would like to add that I find the first part...

'I'm afraid that if everyone starts beating up everyone else at every sign of disagreement the US will be much more at a disadvantage than in your scenario."

oversimplification and somewhat misdirecting and IMHO shows either a deliberate misunderstanding, or a ????????????

"if everyone starts beating up everyone else at every sign of disagreement"

........ perhaps you will explain this?  Where or what in my post suggest this to you?  It's almost an insult?  Was such intended?  

"    Just a little aside here .....I have often wonder if some actually read a post for it's content rather then for what they can use to attack others? It SEEMS most often that this is NOT the case.



Why this comment? "

And this statement made by me... "(Waiting for the classic grab one line and take it out of context approach, wonder if it will happen?)".... equates to this.....

"The post before you added a post scriptum predicting that just one sentence would be highlighted. Consistently trying to discredit ones reponse before it has been given seems somewhat passive-aggressive to me."

......... in your mind?  So then you did not see this part? ...... "wonder if it will happen?"   Predicting??????

HMMMMMM..............

"Just a little aside here .....I have often wonder if some actually read a post for it's content rather then for what they can use to attack others? It SEEMS most often that this is NOT the case."  

........ does this perhaps fit now?  Are you attempting to say something here SIR?

"Consistently trying to discredit ones reponse before it has been given seems somewhat passive-aggressive to me."

are you assuming the statement was aimmed at you?  Are you qualified to even suggest to anyone reading my postings what my mental state or condition is?   passive-aggressive????
It's been said we have three brains, one cobbled on top of the next. The stem is first, the reptilian brain; then the mammalian cerebellum; finally the over developed cerebral cortex.  They don't work together in awfully good harmony - hence ax murders, mobs, and socialism.