Subject:
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A Measured Response (was re: LP statement on terrorist attacks)
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.off-topic.debate
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Date:
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Fri, 14 Sep 2001 20:37:23 GMT
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(details)
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Hey:
I'll give the LP statement this much (and beyond this I just don't care what
else they said) -- it suggests a course of action that is a hell of a lot
more reasonable than what many here have been offering up of late. It
suggests we make a very measured response to what is surely one of the
blackest moments in U.S. history.
I decided I am not going to go through and point out the individual
instances in these threads where people have used language that attempts to
dehumanize our aggressors -- but I do actually expect better of us (and
under normal circumstances I expect I'd get it -- so it's nothing personal
against any one individual). Tensions are high and there is talk of war (as
if that will solve anything), and it is the habit of men to dehumanize
presumed enemies before committing atrocities against them -- it makes it
easier for us to eradicate other human beings when we think we are merely
ridding the world of some kind of less-than-human-scum. It is easier to
kill monsters than other human beings who are themselves merely fathers,
brothers, sons, mothers, sisters, and daughters...
I say that when we engage in this dehumanizing behavior we become less than
human ourselves...
A measured response is called for -- not some prolongued and indeterminate
military action as I heard Powell suggest on NPR (and again, as if spilling
teenage American blood on foreign soil will get us anywhere), and certainly
not any actions that would significantly impair my rights as individual and
effecting my person, house, paper, and effect, against unreasonable searches
and seizures.
[N.B. Before anyone gets hopped up about it -- I too think that we must
increase security for air transportation, and there are a thousand things
than can be and should be done to correct much of what is currently insecure
about this mode of transportation. If the air transportation industry will
improve the manner in which they handle and track luggage I will give over
all of my possessions to "check in" luggage with my carriers if they will at
least accept the responsability/liability for being in possession of my
electronics and other costly goods when they lose or mishandle them. I will
even allow myself to be searched at an airport that a greater public good
may be served. I would not submit to such a search on the street or in my
home however...]
On another day, when our tempers would be less flared, we wouldn't be so
quick to revert to barbarism and talk of war -- I know we are better than
that on our best days. But can't some of you see that these are the VERY
moments that try the human spirit. More generosity of spirit is called for
at this time. We must think and decide things with our minds and our
hearts, and not just with passion induced anger.
A measured response is called for, no more and no less.
-- Hop-Frog (Am I blue? No, I'm green you idiots...!)
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Message has 1 Reply:
Message is in Reply To:
 | | Re: LP statement on terrorist attacks
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| (...) I don't see how you can possibly say that. It's a statement of position and a request to the membership to take certain actions. Are you saying that if I went to the DNC website I wouldn't see a similar statement? I did, and there is (URL) you (...) (23 years ago, 14-Sep-01, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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