Why discussions on politics aren't promoted here..

[Guest nickcornaglia]

I started THIS THREAD that was intended to begin a discussion of well wishes and general thoughts about the disaster in the US as a result of Hurricane Katrina. After the collapse of organization after the disaster, it became a place to discuss the things that were going wrong. There wasn't all that much interest on the topic.

Though everyone is free to feel whatever they wish about the US, their own country, or any other country...someone decided that it would be a good time to bash the US. Not critique it...but bash it.

And not just speak badly about it...but irrationally generalize it's values and those of everyone in the US. Not for what they know first hand, but based on what they see filtered thru the European news agencies. (IMO). After reading the thread it can also be read as if I, personally was being accused of being a racist an ignorant an a few respects.

I am respectful of everyone no matter what their color, or creed and to be personally accused of something that I am not is disheartening. But I'll blow that off since you dont know me.

I am also a proud US Citizen. I am constantly amazed how much anti-American sentiment there is around the world and ocassionally I catch a bit of it here. I was even suprised that the disaster wasnt mentioned on the front page as it was on many sites and briefly wondered what the reasoning is. (Not accusing anything...just noticed it is all). As I was very interested on World Opinion on this matter.

Freedom allows everyone to feel the way they wish. If you are a reader of this site, you probably live under some form of a blanket of freedom. And for that, we are all lucky.

Although freedom allows everyone to say what they wish, you should also realize that there is a time and a place to exercise that freedom. There is also common respect for others, their beliefs and nationalities, that should be considered as well.

So in these forums, it's probably a good idea to keep it light, keep it general. Because as soon as you start poking about touchy subjects someone is going to poke back. And it just gets ugly from there.

Anyway, the topic was rightfully locked because it went of topic from it's desired intent.

PERSONAL NOTE:

Making outlandish statements like, the US intentionally ignored the disaster because the majority of those effected are black, or the US as a government still holds back monorities is totally untrue in my opinion.

Inferring that I believe the majority of people who remained in New Orleans stayed there to pillage and loot (beyond life sustaining goods), is totally untrue. My belief is that a very small minority of dirty lowlife scum stayed to do just that. And even smaller percentage of them stayed there to prowl on the weak. Others found the opportunity in their inability to leave to prey on women and children in the dark, in their magnified vulnerability. Others relished in their new found power and decided to try to eliminate the police who at the time were the only force (albeit small) that stood in their way. No matter how poor I would/could ever be, I will never be so poor as to use it as an excuse to steal and rape and kill. That's the way I was brought up in life. That's the way everyone I call family or friend has been raised.

You and others can blame racism on the government delay and the actions of the victims. Reality doesn't.

I can go on and on...but I wont....RANT OVER!

PS.

Did you see that new Blizzard? PPC...Smartphone...PPC...Smartphone...I cant decide what I want! 8) NICE!

[Guest drblow]

Hmm ... interesting! :o I personally did not get involved in the Katrina discussion, but I do remember having some fairly heated debates on other political topics with your good self in the not too recent past! Debates which I have enjoyed thoroughly!! :twisted:

It is a shame that often, in the course of a 'discussion' things can easily become what is in reality an 'argument'. I personally believe in the free expression of opinion whatever the context/time/place - truly intelligent 'discussion' can/should take place without interference from political correctness (which I believe to be a subtle form of censorship). However, truly intelligent debate rarely takes place in public without a certain percentage of people who just want to argue because they lack the proper intelligence/information resources to conduct themselves accordingly. Unfortunately, a great majority of the population (certainly in the UK) are simply fed garbage by the "news"papers, which they accept because they have neither the wit nor will to question anything for themselves.

But surely none of that is a reason to NOT have steaming great political debates on the forums!!?? I mean, come on Nick ... I know you are a patriot, and there's nothing wrong with that. But do you really have no idea why there is anti-american sentiment in the world (& if not do you not think that people must have reasons for feeling that way)?? Or would you rather simply ignore any anti-american comments as people just "bashing" the states? & if you honestly believe in that patriotism, then can you not simply formulate convincing arguments to counter any US "bashing" as you call it?

To be fair, I have had raging anti-american debates with you in the past ... but it's nothing I wouldn't equally level at Tony Blair. So in my case it's never about american bashing, but rather Government/political leader bashing - which realistically should be actively encouraged in every sphere of life. If it was up to me, the bas***ds would be held accountable at the end of every day, and if they have made even the slightest mistake with tax payers money, or another promise that turned out to be a lie ... I'd have their heads lopped off athe the tower & raised on a stake as a warning to the rest of them for the next day. But that's another topic altogether!! :twisted:

[Guest nickcornaglia]

All great points drblow!

I never thought of out discussions a heated. Mainly because you are not closed-minded nor make non-informed blanket statements based on minimal knowledge based only on what you read in the paper or see on CNN or BBC. Nor are your statements filled with hatred, stereotyping a whole country.

That said...I enjoy political/globally topical debates and discussions. I am certainly not well versed on all topics, but I know what I know and feel strongly about the things I feel I have a certain understanding of. (If that makes sense).

I always think I write better than I speak. But in debates, I believe I'm better verbally than on a forum, IRC, IM, etc.

And lastly, I do not mind anti-american sentiment, when it's done with some dignity and knowledge. I certainly do not love EVERYTHING about my country and government. I will be the first to call foul when something is wrong. But if people are going to debate here (or anywhere), it's better that they do it with a cool head than pointing fingers at an entire people, lumping everyone in together. That's when I get my back up! :o

I look forward to our continued discussions! :(

[Guest drblow]

But if people are going to debate here (or anywhere), it's better that they do it with a cool head than pointing fingers at an entire people, lumping everyone in together.

That's the problem right there! I have met several Americans that are quite nice! :twisted: Simple, humourless folk lacking in culture ... but nice nonetheless!! :o (of course I'm joking!) But unfortunately the recent actions of your crazed pseudo-fascist president have inspired much bad will in people throughout the globe! :( Unfortunately not all of us have the sense to realise that a nation of people cannot be judged on the actions of their psycho political leaders. Tell me about it, I'm from Belfast!! :lol: I have spent a lifetime denying any involvement in terrorist organisations ... unable to find employment at fertilizer factories ... unable to simply wear a balaclava to protect my face from the winter without people notifying the authorities! :twisted:

No, but seriously :P ... those less fortunate that can't join in the discussion without reducing it to their neanderthal level should be dismissed out of hand, and laughed out of any serious debate. The less attention they get for their daft posts the better. Maybe in time we can humiliate them out of any further attempts to communicate with human beings! :D

I must go & read the Katrina thread!

[Guest Phonz]

Sorry you got some negative feedback - what everyone in this world has to understand is 1) We are still small in the face of natures power, we must learn to live in harmony and accept that natural processes such as this occur and they affect us as humans collectively across the world. 2) Any country that strives for freedom unfortunately somewhere along the line has to automate that process through organisations, policies and administration making that can affect something like response times to a disaster... or obviously on a broader scale shift powers and laws around corporations, money and less on the environment...

The US is an easy target but this happens everywhere... if you were an alien visiting earth last few years you could be mistaken 911 was about firefighters, indonesian erathquake about red cross appeals and Katrina about little Erica loosing her pet dog... you never hear much about the science and administration reality of these situations, what can be done in the future, academic responses, how the media handles the situation (good and bad) the media focuses on political angles and the rebuilding human spirit because it makes good tv for them. Its not a US problem, its a human problem that were all part of.