My Dixie Chicks Mindless Rant

[Tony]

Dixie Chicks at a London concert: "I am ashamed our president is from Texas" (or something close to that)

What is funny is that he isn't even from Texas. Right-wingers could have used this inaccuracy to paint the Dixie Chicks as morons, instead they made them martyrs.

 

[Katana]

What is funny is that he isn't even from Texas. Right-wingers could have used this inaccuracy to paint the Dixie Chicks as morons, instead they made them martyrs.

I don't get it. Right-wingers are making them martyrs?

 

[Axenos]

Huh? I thought you were ending our discussion. I guess you were lying when you said:

If you mean that, continue to run away with your tail between your legs.

You are right. I was lying. Sometimes I enjoy a little ignorance now and then.

So tell me, American Flag Avatar Guy, why did you not serve your country if your so patriotic? Have a good reason and I'll leave you be. It's true.

Edit: Sorry... or Gal if necessary...

 

[Achán hiNidráne]

People can do what they want. As posted above, I feel people should show respect for their country and their countrymen.

Why? I've read the Bill Or Rights many times I don't see anything stating "Offer void outside of the United States."

Sometimes free speech goes too far. (That oughta rile some feathers...)

And people like yourself and Bill Thompson get to decide what goes "too far?" Tell me, oh great constitutional scholar, what speech constitutes "too far?" Why do I suspect it's any speech that doesn't confirm your mindless, militaristic, jingoistic, bigoted, "'My-country-right-or-wrong" ideology?

At the same time, you'll never hear me say that morons like yourself should be ever be censored. That's because I, unlike you, believe in the first amendment, no ifs-ands-or-buts. I don't believe that it only applies to my beliefs or just to "'mericans," nor do we lose these rights once we leave our borders.

If people like yourself really and truly think that people who don't echo back your sentiments about this fascist "War On Terrorism" or our immoral war in Iraq should be silenced, then I suggest you try to shut me up... personally.

By the way, before you do, keep this in mind: I also enthusiastically support the second amendment.

 

[Tony]

I don't get it. Right-wingers are making them martyrs?

Maybe martyrs isn't a good word, but by being denounched as "anti-american", the Dixie Chicks have been able to claim status as poster children for free-speech.

 

[bob_kark]

You are right. I was lying. Sometimes I enjoy a little ignorance now and then.

So tell me, American Flag Avatar Guy, why did you not serve your country if your so patriotic? Have a good reason and I'll leave you be. It's true.

Edit: Sorry... or Gal if necessary...

patriot  [pey-tree-uht, -ot or, especially Brit., pa-tree-uht]

–noun 1. a person who loves, supports, and defends his or her country and its interests with devotion.
2. a person who regards himself or herself as a defender, esp. of individual rights, against presumed interference by the federal government.
3. (initial capital letter) Military. a U.S. Army antiaircraft missile with a range of 37 mi. (60 km) and a 200-lb. (90 kg) warhead, launched from a tracked vehicle with radar and computer guidance and fire control.

One does not have to serve in the military to be a patriot.

 

[Axenos]

Why? I've read the Bill Or Rights many times I don't see anything stating "Offer void outside of the United States."



And people like yourself and Bill Thompson get to decide what goes "too far?" Tell me, oh great constitutional scholar, what speech constitutes "too far?" Why do I suspect it's any speech that doesn't confirm your mindless, militaristic, jingoistic, bigoted, "'My-country-right-or-wrong" ideology?

At the same time, you'll never hear me say that morons like yourself should be ever be censored. That's because I, unlike you, believe in the first amendment, no ifs-ands-or-buts. I don't believe that it only applies to my beliefs or just to "'mericans," nor do we lose these rights once we leave our borders.

If people like yourself really and truly think that people who don't echo back your sentiments about this fascist "War On Terrorism" or our immoral war in Iraq should be silenced, then I suggest you try to shut me up... personally.

By the way, before you do, keep this in mind: I also enthusiastically support the second amendment.

Damn good rant. Pretty funny too.

I gotta tell you that threats on the internet really have a difficult time making me lose sleep, but I'll try to miss a wink or two just for you.

You have your opinion and I have mine.

You gotta admit I did rile your feathers though...

And I have to add that if you read my posts you'll find that I support the first amendment as well. And the second.

 

[Axenos]

One does not have to serve in the military to be a patriot.

Agreed, but I wasn't asking you.
And Websters definition is:

Main Entry: pa·tri·ot
Pronunciation: 'pA-trE-&t, -"ät, chiefly British 'pa-trE-&t
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French patriote compatriot, from Late Latin patriota, from Greek patriOtEs, from patria lineage, from patr-, patEr father
: one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests

 

[Katana]

Maybe martyrs isn't a good word, but by being denounched as "anti-american", the Dixie Chicks have been able to claim status as poster children for free-speech.

Perhaps. Some people may look up to them more for being "brave enough" to speak out. Has that made any of those people fans of theirs, though? Maybe it has. Didn't work with me.

I couldn't tell, from your statement, whether you were saying that the right-wing was doing this. It seems clear that you didn't mean it that way.

 

[Tony]

You are right. I was lying. Sometimes I enjoy a little ignorance now and then.

Yes, you make that painfully apparent.

So tell me, American Flag Avatar Guy, why did you not serve your country if your so patriotic?

I NEVER engage in grammar naziism, but if you're going to attack others for their "ignorance", it helps to be able to properly use the english language lest you come off as a moron, which you have. It's "you're"

And the reason I didn't join the military is because I don't take orders, and I'm not a tool. And FYI, being in the military isn't "serving your country". I know it's part of military propaganda, but it's BS. You're serving the interests of the government.

 

[Tony]

And people like yourself and Bill Thompson get to decide what goes "too far?" Tell me, oh great constitutional scholar, what speech constitutes "too far?" Why do I suspect it's any speech that doesn't confirm your mindless, militaristic, jingoistic, bigoted, "'My-country-right-or-wrong" ideology?

Isn't it odd how the most militaristic and jingoistic people tend to also be the most unamerican?

 

[Axenos]

Yes, you make that painfully apparent.



If you're going to attack others for their "ignorance", it helps to be able to properly use the english language lest you come off as a moron, which you have. It's "you're"

Yep. Got me. You sly devil.

And the reason I didn't join the military is because I don't take orders, and I'm not a tool. And FYI, being in the military isn't "serving your country". I know it's part of military propaganda, but it's BS. You're serving the interests of the government.

How do you know if you were never there?

 

[Katana]

And people like yourself and Bill Thompson get to decide what goes "too far?" Tell me, oh great constitutional scholar, what speech constitutes "too far?" Why do I suspect it's any speech that doesn't confirm your mindless, militaristic, jingoistic, bigoted, "'My-country-right-or-wrong" ideology?

No. They don't get to decide.

Why are you so hostile? Perhaps you two know each other from another thread or forum. I may not agree with Axenos' position in this, but I certainly don't agree with your characterization of him.

At the same time, you'll never hear me say that morons like yourself should be ever be censored. That's because I, unlike you, believe in the first amendment, no ifs-ands-or-buts. I don't believe that it only applies to my beliefs or just to "'mericans," nor do we lose these rights once we leave our borders.

So nice when people are reduced to insults.

He never suggested that you did lose those rights.

If people like yourself really and truly think that people who don't echo back your sentiments about this fascist "War On Terrorism" or our immoral war in Iraq should be silenced, then I suggest you try to shut me up... personally.

By the way, before you do, keep this in mind: I also enthusiastically support the second amendment.

So nice when people are reduced to veiled threats.

Isn't it odd how the most militaristic and jingoistic people tend to also be the most unamerican?

Why are you accusing Axenos of being un-American?

 

[Tony]

Why are you accusing Axenos of being un-American?

Because he asserts that criticism of government and the president is wrong and disrespectful.

 

[Axenos]

Why are you accusing Axenos of being un-American?

It's OK, I don't really mind if they do.

They have their opinion and I have mine. I've just tried to explain mine as asked, and they jumped on the bandwagon with their rhetoric. Some of it without reading what has been thus posted.

I threw some insults as well, which I shouldn't have done, but it was out of frustration with what I consider linear thinking. Which sometimes I have as well. So poo on me.

I'll happily listen to any opinion as everyone has one and they are all different.

I can't change, nor would I really want to, the iron grip that people have on their beliefs.

Edit: And that was the first time I think Siefert has ever posted anything at me. Fun to read though.

 

[Axenos]

Because he asserts that criticism of government and the president is wrong and disrespectful.

Tony... no more insults... bad of me to do that. I apologise.

Correct that to criticism of government and the president on foreign soil as I have typed over and over in this thread.

 

[Tony]

Yep. Got me. You sly devil.

There is nothing sly about knowing and using proper english.

How do you know if you were never there?

Since you never answered mine and claimed I was ignorant for even asking my questions, I see no reason to answer yours. Get back to me when you're ready to support your position.

Correct that to criticism of government and the president on foreign soil as I have typed over and over in this thread.

You have yet to convince me the relevance of that. I see no disctinction between criticism on US soil or foreign soil. Indeed, you said yourself it was merely "symbolism"

 

[Katana]

It's OK, I don't really mind if they do.

They have their opinion and I have mine. I've just tried to explain mine as asked, and they jumped on the bandwagon with their rhetoric. Some of it without reading what has been thus posted.

I threw some insults as well, which I shouldn't have done, but it was out of frustration with what I consider linear thinking. Which sometimes I have as well. So poo on me.

I'll happily listen to any opinion as everyone has one and they are all different.

I can't change, nor would I really want to, the iron grip that people have on their beliefs.

Fair enough. I think I'm going to try to stay out of the fray, then.

 

[Axenos]

By the way, before you do, keep this in mind: I also enthusiastically support the second amendment.

I have to add that if you really wish to shoot me, it'll be the second time and doesn't really scare me much.

 

[Darth Rotor]

And the reason I didn't join the military is because I don't take orders, and I'm not a tool. And FYI, being in the military isn't "serving your country". I know it's part of military propaganda, but it's BS. You're serving the interests of the government.

Crescent wrench?

Let's take the serve the country idea, the Constitution, civilian control of the military, by structure and walk the dog, shall we Tony? "Serves the country" is a convenient shorthand for a slightly more complex relationship.

The land and people are what make up a country, a nation state, under some agreed framework. In America's case, that would be the Constitution. The people create (in America's case, by voting) a government, which then undertakes to pursue (by structure) the interests of the country. (Of course, in practice, it can be argued that government now and again pursues interests that may not be purely in the country's best interest.)

Regardless, it is under the premise that the actions of the government generally pursue the country's interests that the structure is coherent, and sustains over time.

Given the problem of scope and scale, the military establishment is created and funded, per the articles of the constitution, to raise armies and maintain a navy, to, if nothing else, "provide for the common defense" and by following acts of Congress, and the Executive, since framing, a whole lot else in the name of National Security activity. Put differently, the purspose of the Armed Forces is to fight and win the nation's wars. The wars are chosen by the people's duly elected representatives, and their executive, in this Republic.

The military answers to the Congress (the people's duly elected representatives) for administration and funding, and to the Executive (operations) as explicitly spelled out in the Country's constitution. The armed Services, and each member of it, serve at the pleasure of the President. (That was in writing on my commissioning paperwork. ) The President, the people's duly elected executive agent of government, is by the framing document to serve the nation and the constitution. In our Constitutional republic, that means that by three direct linkages, the armed services serve country made up of the people via the president and the government, who serve the Constitution on behalf of the people who sent them to Washington to do so for the good of the country, as originally defined.

Whether or not the government well and faithfully serves the interests of the people, in all cases, is an entirely different matter.

It isn't propaganda, Tony, it is the formal relationship defined by the structure of this Constitutional Republic, and the acta that have been approved via Constitutional processes.

Yes, before you point this out, many's the imperfection between theory and practice.

DR