Burning a Koran: Un-American?

[Undesired Walrus]

I heard Clinton today calling this Koran burning event un-American.

It got me thinking, is it actually very American given the fact that this man is permitted to do such a thing?

 

[The Charnel Expanse]

Being American is a two-way street. We're blessed with the right to offend others without consequence and simultaneously cursed by others' right to offend us in kind.

 

[Piscivore]

I heard Clinton today calling this Koran burning event un-American.

It got me thinking, is it actually very American given the fact that this man is permitted to do such a thing?

Being allowed to do a thing under a system does not mean that it is in keeping with the prinicples and ideals we'd like the system to stand for.

That means "no".

 

[Dr. Keith]

Being allowed to do a thing under a system does not mean that it is in keeping with the prinicples and ideals we'd like the system to stand for.

This.

It is very American to understand that freedom of speech is only meaningful if we protect unpopular speech.

But, not all unpopular speech will be expressing American ideals.

This is one such example. Fred Phelps would be another.

 

[Darat]

Being allowed to do a thing under a system does not mean that it is in keeping with the prinicples and ideals we'd like the system to stand for.

That means "no".

Well put.

If these people were doing this burning as some declaration of their rights to do this it may have been "an American" thing to do, however they are doing this because they wish to demonise and stir up hatred for a group of people that they do not like (or at least what they think this group is).

 

[bynmdsue]

No more un-american than burning the flag.

or are those the "right kind" of protests?

 

[Spindrift]

No more un-american than burning the flag.

or are those the "right kind" of protests?

When has anyone said that burning the flag is an American thing to do?

Protecting the right to burn the flag is American. Burning the flag though is almost by definition un-american. Protecting someone's right to perform a disagreeable act and performing the act are two very different things.

 

[Drudgewire]

Protecting the right to burn the flag is American. Burning the flag though is almost by definition un-american. Protecting someone's right to perform a disagreeable act and performing the act are two very different things.

Exactly what I was about to say without the flag analogy. Defending the right to burn the Koran is American. Doing it is simply stupid.

Yes kids, true freedom must include the right to be an idiot.

 

[KingMerv00]

I get annoyed when "American" is used in the pejorative or approbative way. America is not evil or perfect enough for either use in my opinion.

 

[Darat]

I get annoyed when "American" is used in the pejorative or approbative way. America is not monolithic enough for either use in my opinion.

Typical American.

 

[The Charnel Expanse]

This is another case where people have confused "unAmerican" with "bad for America".

 

[KingMerv00]

I heard Clinton today calling this Koran burning event un-American.

It got me thinking, is it actually very American given the fact that this man is permitted to do such a thing?

This all stems from the "no true scotsman" fallacy. To be American, you only need to be a citizen. Everything an American citizen does (good or bad) is American by definition.

Saying a book burner is "Un-American" is like saying "he isn't a TRUE American".

 

[Darat]

This all stems from the "no true scotsman" fallacy. To be American, you only need to be a citizen. Everything an American citizen does (good or bad) is American by definition.

Saying a book burner is "Un-American" is like saying "he isn't a TRUE American".

Isn't that just a semantic nit-pick that ignores how the term is actually used?

 

[KingMerv00]

Isn't that just a semantic nit-pick that ignores how the term is actually used?

Yes and no. I freely admit the word "American" is used to as propaganda for both sides. I just don't like when it is. It simplifies America too much.

 

[funk de fino]

Yes and no. I freely admit the word "American" is used to as propaganda for both sides. I just don't like when it is. It simplifies America too much.

And you certainly do not need anymore simplification.

 

[KingMerv00]

And you certainly do not need anymore simplification.

Commie.

 

[Darat]

Yes and no. I freely admit the word "American" is used to as propaganda for both sides. I just don't like when it is. It simplifies America too much.

I agree that it can be over used and used as nothing but a stick to beat "them" with (whoever the them may be) but I think there can be times when it can be used.

For example someone who wanted black people to no longer have equal rights to everyone else in the country would be being "unAmerican" (today that is).

 

[Darth Rotor]

I heard Clinton today calling this Koran burning event un-American.

It got me thinking, is it actually very American given the fact that this man is permitted to do such a thing?

No, it's not Un American. Secretary Clinton is wrong. Your instinct is correct, it is permitted and protected speech, regardless of the person doing it being a dick, and having no point other than spreading negativity. It serves no useful purpose ... like a lot of what transpires in American public drama.

 

[leftysergeant]

It is not a rational exercise of Am,erican values and freedom of speech, but it islegal, so I guess itbwould be un-American to punish him under the law, but it is very much in keeping with American values to state that the idioto who came up with this idea is a sad excuse for a human being and a threat to other people's liberties because it is intended to restrict, impede or otherwise limit someone else's free speech. He is encouraging others to think of Muslims as less than real Americans, and to make it "okay" to show disrespect for Islam. It is not a reach from this point to its being okay top slap a Muslim around for doing dawah in public.

I reserve the right to call the "pastor" a low-life and a bad American.

 

[bynmdsue]

When has anyone said that burning the flag is an American thing to do?

Anti War protestors who burn flags.