I'm a very simple person (with complicated needs/wants, of course), and I tend to not follow politics because frankly, it doesn't really interest me. My grasp on the subject is fairly generalized, but I like to believe that there are some guys up on capitol hill who really think they are doing good for the country and for us. They're doing the best they can while trying to keep us happy. I mean, put it into perspective a little; here these guys were elected to protect our laws and freedoms, and to make sure we keep those rights. Of course you can't please everyone. It's impossible. But think back to the first day you had when starting a new job. Depending on what you did, one could consider it a little overwhelming possibly, taking in all these new duties and rules and regulations to follow while making sure a customer is happy and satisfied. Now keeping that in mind, think about our reps. They've got ten times that pressure, not to mention people seemingly just waiting for them to screw up. They're doing the best they can with what they've been given.
Do I believe we should be fighting this war on terrorism? Yes. But I think it's taken too long, and if it were up to me, I would screw the geneva convention and get ready a nuke. But that's just me. I live in the South (and before anyone starts saying how the South is just full of rednecks and militant gunfreaks, let me tell you that I have lived all over this country, from Florida to Washington state - Nevada to Texas; and many others in between) and I believe in my country and what we're fighting for. I own a gun. I pay my taxes, and I'm glad as hell I live where I do. For all those people who say they're ashamed to live in America, and that the country is going to hell, you all can leave. Go live in Iraq for a little while even. Then, after a year, come back and tell me you hate this country. Because until then, all you're doing is taking advantage of the life you have and complaining about it.
And for all of you tl;dr folks - nothing good can come of this thread. It's just too much of a loaded subject. Also, I live ten minutes away from Hooters. Anyone hungry?
Well, you said you don't follow politics, and as such I think you have a fair enough opinion then for one who is not aware of the details.
But can I at least say that patriotism is all fair and good, but just because you love your country does not mean you have to love everything your government does on your behalf, ok? I'm not saying you have to side with the naysayers either, just understand that you can be patriotic and skeptical at the same time.
Dolash, John Kerry threw away his war medals, and protested the Vietnam War.
Now one of his main campaign themes is how much Vietnam built his character.
I don't think he patriotic- he just changes his viewpoint to whatever position is politically adventageous at the time.
Much like how he voted for the Iraqi War Resolution, but after seeing Howard Dean energize Democrats by bashing Bush for conducting the war, he changed his mind and went against his own voting record to declare himself as a "anti-war" candidate- while still maintaining his commitment to troops in Iraq.
Bush, for all his faults and failures, is at least consitent- even if its consistently stupid.
Sure. It was begun under false pretenses. It's cost the lives of 20 000 innocent Iraqis. It's cost the lives of nearly 900 American soldiers. It's cost the United States a trillion dollars, with more being spent each day. It's made America's name mud in the Middle East. Half the world now views America as a war-mongering bully. And despite constant claims that the world is "safer" without Saddam Hussien, the little coloured chart is still "Elevated", and there's talk of pushing the elections back in case of a terrorist attack. Oh, did I mention that the war, seen as many Muslims as a war against Muslim is breeding terrorists, making a terrorist attack more likely?
Yeah... there are lots of reasons to be against the war.
I think that says more about John Kerry than you meant it to. It says that he is a patriot enough to go to war and risk his life for his country. It also says that he is not stupid enough to follow his country blindly: he saw Vietnam first hand, and saw the evil of it, and thus protested it. A Vietnam vet has more of a right to protest that war than anyone else - they saw it. They knew what was happening, what the United States was doing.
And whether or not he believed in Vietnam when he returned, the fact remains that he fought there. He didn't shirk his duties - he risked his life for his country. Bush, on the other hand... well, Bush ran like a whipped dog when war was looming. He's a desserter. That shows real love for your country.
And what's wrong with that? Even I will admit that the Iraq war looked good on paper, in the beginning. Baghdad fell within weeks with little loss of American life, Saddam's army crumbled... it looked good. And they knew it would happen in the beginning, and so they figured "Hey, small risk, lots of oil." And Kerry will admit (as will I) that Saddam was not a good man, so his removal seemed like a great idea.
Then people started dying. Not just Iraqis, but Americans and Brits and Italians too! And they kept dying, until almost one thousand were dead. I can't blame anyone for changing views on the war, considering the track record.
Kerry can learn. Bush, obviosly, cannot. Which is better, again?
Congratulations, Kas. A link to a self-declared "Conservative News Forum" which lists votes Kerry "missed" (or perhaps absenteed from voting for a good reason), with no sources or reasons. Yet somehow I'm supposed to believe this list as the word of God... but similar sites run by liberals (i.e. michaelmoore.com) are to be burned under the cross?
