Politics: Where we struggle to kneel in the muck.

[sebastian_dangerfield]

Originally posted by Say_hello_for_me
I personally don't get offended by the symbolism, except in the following circumstance:

Someone publicly burns a flag in front of a veteran who cares (if I knew this for certain), I'm going to do one of two things:

1.) stand by and laugh as the veteran and anyone else who cares kicks his ass; or

2.) if I see someone I personally know, and personally know to be a veteran, getting agitated by said flag burning, I'll join in the ass-kicking.

Aside from San Francisco, I'm not sure any police officer in the country would care to intervene.

Note: what you do in the privacy of your backyard or whatever is none of my business.

Also note: cities that prohibit burning things outdoors (e.g., Chicago) should strictly and evenly enforce the prohibition on people who burn flags.

Like you are saying though, there is no need for Congress to get involved. This is a giant circle jerk in an election year.

Hello

I had a massive flag in my place in college. It took up a whole wall. I'm a huge fan of Rick Rubin's work as a producer, so I own a lot of American Recordings discs. American Recordings' symbol has been an inverted flag for a long time. I thought it looked cool, so I inverted the flag on our wall. Some waterhead from the baseball team gave me a rash of shit once in the midst of the horrible mushroom trip (idiot ate close to a whole 1/4) about the sanctity of the flag. It was one of the most amazingly incohrenet arguments I ever heard. He was totally freaked out and grasping for any "simple value" which would help him keep his grasp. I advised him the only thing that could save him was a heavy does of whiskey, which advice he wisely took. Once he calmed down and got over the first wave, he was a pleasant fellow. I kind of feel he represents most people who have hard-ons for "symbols" and speak of certain values as "sacred." They want, er, need, to believe in something really badly, or have been trained like dobermans to believe in certain "sacred" things. But if you can punch through the layer of dogma that shields their brain like a malignant meniscus, they suddenly realize just how silly their adherence to these middle class values really are. The pillars fall and they suddenly think "Fuck, why the hell am I going nuts over some idiot burning a flag?"

I'm patriotic as hell. I'd volunteer to torture Queda folks and I still get misty passing the Trade Centers. But I'm also likely to wipe my ass with the flag in front of anyone who spins some horseshit about pledges and the sanctity of any symbol. Folks of that mindset need a swift jolt to the side of the head, just like folks who actually burn flags deserve to be laughed at for being equally stupid.

[Shape Shifter]

Originally posted by sebastian_dangerfield
I had a massive flag in my place in college. It took up a whole wall. I'm a huge fan of Rick Rubin's work as a producer, so I own a lot of American Recordings discs. American Recordings' symbol has been an inverted flag for a long time. I thought it looked cool, so I inverted the flag on our wall. Some waterhead from the baseball team gave me a rash of shit once in the midst of the horrible mushroom trip (idiot ate close to a whole 1/4) about the sanctity of the flag. It was one of the most amazingly incohrenet arguments I ever heard. He was totally freaked out and grasping for any "simple value" which would help him keep his grasp. I advised him the only thing that could save him was a heavy does of whiskey, which advice he wisely took. Once he calmed down and got over the first wave, he was a pleasant fellow. I kind of feel he represents most people who have hard-ons for "symbols" and speak of certain values as "sacred." They want, er, need, to believe in something really badly, or have been trained like dobermans to believe in certain "sacred" things. But if you can punch through the layer of dogma that shields their brain like a malignant meniscus, they suddenly realize just how silly their adherence to these middle class values really are. The pillars fall and they suddenly think "Fuck, why the hell am I going nuts over some idiot burning a flag?"

I'm patriotic as hell. I'd volunteer to torture Queda folks and I still get misty passing the Trade Centers. But I'm also likely to wipe my ass with the flag in front of anyone who spins some horseshit about pledges and the sanctity of any symbol. Folks of that mindset need a swift jolt to the side of the head, just like folks who actually burn flags deserve to be laughed at for being equally stupid.

If we could only get everyone to do shrooms and whiskey in Sebby's dorm room, the world would be a better place. Especially for Hello, who could conveniently execute all of them on the way out.

[sgtclub]

Was on a plane yesterday. Fully packed. I think the airlines are trying to save money by not turning on the air until after takeoff. In any event it was hot and stuffy and wouldn't you know, I get stuck next to a fatty, which made the situation that much more intolerable. I'm still fuming this morning.

[Say_hello_for_me]

Originally posted by Shape Shifter
If we could only get everyone to do shrooms and whiskey in Sebby's dorm room, the world would be a better place. Especially for Hello, who could conveniently execute all of them on the way out.

But if everyone was doing it, it would be legal wouldn't it?

1) Legalize or
2) Shoot everybody involved.

No difference to me, just don't tax me and use it to unfairly imprison our poor minorities.

[Shape Shifter]

Originally posted by Say_hello_for_me
But if everyone was doing it, it would be legal wouldn't it?

Everyone drives about 90 mph on I-10 between Houston and San Antonio. Doesn't make it legal.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
He stated that Rushdie had committed blasphemy and that under Islamic law for that he should die. He later explained that he was merely stating the legal principle, not advocating it. But the initial quote certainly didn't sound like a dispassionate analysis (it was replayed on ABC News last night--maybe their website has it)

Google yusuf islam rushdie for various accounts.

If (if) Cat Stevens is a terrorist and should be excluded from the country for opining that Salman Rushdie should be killed for blaspheming, what does that mean that Oklahoma Senate candidate Dr. Tom Cobourn, who opines that doctors who perform (legal) abortions should be killed?

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by sgtclub
Joe Scarborough had an op-ed in the WSJ yesterday, laying out how disappointed he is with what the Republican Revolution has become. I agree. This is ridiculous. Bring back Newt..

Politicians respond to votes more than to pious sentiments. If you want them to cut it out, you have to vote against them.

[Shape Shifter]

Originally posted by dtb
Why is no one mentioning the fact that the dude got on the plane?!? Sure, they sent him to Maine instead of DC, but it doesn't inspire a lot of confidence that they get hip to his presence while the plane is over the Atlantic.

I've got to wonder how the folks in Maine feel about this. "Hey, this guy could blow something up. Let's send him to Bangor."

[Shape Shifter]

Originally posted by Tyrone Slothrop
If (if) Cat Stevens is a terrorist and should be excluded from the country for opining that Salman Rushdie should be killed for blaspheming, what does that mean that Oklahoma Senate candidate Dr. Tom Cobourn, who opines that doctors who perform (legal) abortions should be killed?

He should be sent to Maine.

[ilikenewsocks]

Originally posted by Shape Shifter
Everyone drives about 90 mph on I-10 between Houston and San Antonio. Doesn't make it legal.

But it does make one hell of a political statement, doesn't it? Kind of like the teenagers who picketed a suburban Detroit Chuck-E-Cheese b/c they couldn't get in to play videogames without an adult.

ETA link

[Sidd Finch]

Originally posted by Tyrone Slothrop
If (if) Cat Stevens is a terrorist and should be excluded from the country for opining that Salman Rushdie should be killed for blaspheming, what does that mean that Oklahoma Senate candidate Dr. Tom Cobourn, who opines that doctors who perform (legal) abortions should be killed?

I'm trying not to follow the Cat Stevens story because he generally depresses me -- fucking waste of talent. But I thought he was put on a watchlist because of his donations to certain Islamic "charities", not what he said about the fatwa against Rushdie No?

If Tom Cobourn gave money that was funneled to people who bomb abortion clinics, deporting him would be fine with me. Hell, he and Cat probably take a lot of the same positions.

[sebastian_dangerfield]

Originally posted by Say_hello_for_me
But if everyone was doing it, it would be legal wouldn't it?

1) Legalize or
2) Shoot everybody involved.

No difference to me, just don't tax me and use it to unfairly imprison our poor minorities.

Read this month's National Review article in which Ethan Nadelman absolutely filets some jackass brueaucrat in charge of drug policy. Its a real work of art. Its also worth reading NR's article in favor of pot legalization a few months back. Very well reasoned.

Why is it in 2004 we're still refusing to acknowledge what both Nixon and Carter's people admitted - harmless drugs (rread, not coke and heroin) should be legal. The Nixon drug report recommending decriminalization is still being deep sixed by the GOP, as though it never existed.

[Sidd Finch]

Originally posted by sebastian_dangerfield
Why is it in 2004 we're still refusing to acknowledge what both Nixon and Carter's people admitted - harmless drugs (rread, not coke and heroin) should be legal. The Nixon drug report recommending decriminalization is still being deep sixed by the GOP, as though it never existed.

Because marijuana is not harmless. It's a gateway drug, and it leads to massive overeating that can really screw up your diet program, which is the last thing this obese nation needs.

(Screw Atkins, gimme the chips! I got munchies!!!)

[SlaveNoMore]

sebastian_dangerfield
I thought it looked cool, so I inverted the flag on our wall.

You should have been beaten to a pulp.

[SlaveNoMore]

Sidd Finch
If Tom Cobourn gave money that was funneled to people who bomb abortion clinics, deporting him would be fine with me. Hell, he and Cat probably take a lot of the same positions.

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