http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005 by the authors Tue, 18 Mar 2003 16:12:45 EST http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/03/18/110804.php#comment-4857 Jeff, When you say, "in exchange for all of the freedoms that we have in this country, the least we can do is show support for our leaders," I have to wonder if you understand the Framers' conception of the word "freedom" when they created a Constitution to protect it. That "freedom" is precisely the freedom NOT to "show support for our leaders." That freedom is meaningless if there is ever a condition under which support is mandatory. Under your logic, a President could wage war that 99.9% of the country opposes, and we--including you--would be obligated to support him. Is war some kind of a magical support-creating potion? I fear we may have leaders who believe it is. 4857@blogcritics.org Tue, 18 Mar 2003 16:12:45 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/03/18/110804.php#comment-4853 "War is the health of the State." Randolph Bourne 4853@blogcritics.org Tue, 18 Mar 2003 15:58:34 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/03/18/110804.php#comment-4851 Seriously, would everyone but Amber please go and become legal French citizens. We don't want you here in the US. I never said to shoot people who don't agree with the war--I simply said, now that the elected officials have decided to go, we should support them. I think it is a fair trade. I am glad my post has sparked some comments though. 4851@blogcritics.org Tue, 18 Mar 2003 15:35:23 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/03/18/110804.php#comment-4839 this is all crap. is there some goddamn united states citizen rulebook that i've neglected to read? aside from the constitution, that is? 4839@blogcritics.org Tue, 18 Mar 2003 14:29:07 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/03/18/110804.php#comment-4837 Jeff, I agree with you. 4837@blogcritics.org Tue, 18 Mar 2003 14:23:38 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/03/18/110804.php#comment-4834 This is deeply flawed thinking and not logical at all. You're saying that it's only okay to oppose war until it is declared and then all debate and contrary thought must stop? That freedom of speech should be voluntarily surrendered until the next election? If you're saying that support for a leader should be automatic rather than earned, based on his autocratic whim rather than presenting a convincing case, then you're not talking about any sort of freedom or democracy that I've ever heard of. Saddam can be crushed and Iraq liberated without anyone having to get heavy-handed about stiffling all descenting voices, boycotting all bluegrass lite bands who make a wishcrack during a performance and not buying brie. 4834@blogcritics.org Tue, 18 Mar 2003 14:20:31 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/03/18/110804.php#comment-4821 I agree. We must all support our Great Leader in this time of crisis. We must all have the same thoughts of deference to the central power. The government-especially George W Bush, the greatest President in the history of the world-has only our best interests at heart, and would never lie to us about anything. I trust our leaders completely. The United States is the greatest, freest society in the world, and we should show our gratitude by not speaking our mind, or engaging in any dissent. All must march single file with their hands straight out, chanting, "Our fate is in your wise hands, o Great Leader. You are the light that never goes out." Everyone must pledge allegiance to the First Amendment, or they will be shot. 4821@blogcritics.org Tue, 18 Mar 2003 12:54:31 EST