Sam Vetter
Member since Jan 7, 2013
Recent Comments
Re: “Let's Waterboard Our Enemies”
You know, it seems there will always be those who need a lesson in their own attitudes and beliefs. I don't exclude myself from this category, as I'm quite sure there are plenty of people who'd have a page full to say to me upon reading my words, eh, thats fine with me. I just hope this gets to Ken Thomas, Mohammed, and all the people like them.
Is it really that hard to use your own critical thinking to recognize that by your own attitudes and words, you are no differant than Mohammed, Bin Laden, or anyone else filled with hate, wishing doom upon someone else for whatever reason or differance? By your own words and attitudes, you are Mohammed, you just haven't gotten your hands on an "enemy" yet. So maybe Bin Laden and Mohammed are plotting their next attack. Only because they are fully aware there are folks like you they need to defend themselves against. Didn't that ever occur to you? Where do you think this all started? What makes you any differant and above the hatred they feel towards you? Because you're American and Christian? I've got news for you, that makes you no differant, it simply puts you on a safer side of the fence.
What gives us a right to dole out pain and fear to others? Isn't what makes Americans believe they are great the fact that we believe we hold ourselves to a higher standard? If we don't than we have no right playing policeman (not that I ever believed we did to begin with). If we don't actually have a higher standard and attitudes towards others, we aren't doing the world any favor trying to make them like us... in so doing we're only making more hate mongering, fearful torturers in the process. Such a case is one of strength and stron arming beating out the littler guy, not one of higher principles and standards.
I would guess Mr. Saltas is fully aware there are people out there plotting his doom and torture. I would guess it doesn't bother him much. You are the means by which people like Osama bin Laden is accomplishing his goals. You are an example of America stooping to the level of those they are trying to be an example to. Using their tactics can't be seen any other way. Yes there are those out there who are going to torture, regardless. What business do we have adding ourselves to that category? No matter what attack takes place, or what happens, last time I check, neither bin Laden, Mohammed, nor any other "terrorist" was a legislator or held any lawmaking authority in the US, so any power they have to change your "way of life" is only that which you give them, or which you, through your fear, give your own legislators.
What ever happens to principles, ethics, and dignity? Whatever happened to the idea of going to death, if need be, knowing that no matter what form of punishment or torture was used against you, you refused to stoop to the standards and tactics used against you?
The word terrorist is such a meaningless, silly designation. It could apply to the American Revoltuion minutemen, whose goal was to use guerrilla tactics and be so quick to prepare and attack but so disastrous in their small numbers that they helped turned the tide of a war against a global empire. They made English soldiers afraid of where to go and how to act next. Sound familar? Of course, it could be argued... mainly by those who are incapable of recognizing that their side can do wrong, if for no other reason than the fact that it is "their side".
And so the cycle goes on and on. Each side bearing the hatred of the few that keep the ball rolling. Each side using those few intolerant souls on the other to justify their hate and make excuses for themselves. How much better it would be if one side as whole simply refused to stoop to the level of the other? Had that been the case years ago, we wouldn't be in the sights of people like bin Laden to begin with. Call me names, whatever you want, I've come to expect it from people like Mohammed and you, Mr Thomas. All you do is fulfill your own expectations.
Re: “2”
Haven't finished it yet, but amazing how much I've read so far seems to have almost come right out of my own head, lol. Spot on, there, Mr. Ladd/Twede. Served in the Duesseldord mission, it was like a time machine, put me directly back in the frame of mind, the whole bit. Even the more out there ideas I've read so far are still things I think make more sense than what I was brought up with. Definately a book I haven't been able to stop talking to people about, lol.
