shadesofgrey

Reply to Iraq: One Year On in International JoeUser Forums

"You guys can wag your fingers at the US for helping to make Saddam powerful in the 80's, but anti-war Europe was happily pumping billions into his coffers right up until the war." Just want to clarify the "you guys," as I believe you have mistakenly assumed that I am not American. Also, on the note of the sanctions: many of those who opposed the sanctions did so because they were extremely detrimental to the average Iraqi, not beca

Women Deserve Better Than Abortion in Politics JoeUser Forums

"Abortion is a reflection that we have not met the needs of women. Women Deserve Better Than Abortion." This is the wording of an advertising campaign that has recently found it's way onto the DC Metro System. At first, the comment seems benign, and legitimate. In a perfect world, no woman would need an abo

Reply to Iraq: One Year On in International JoeUser Forums

"Was it illegal though?" That is the debate...there are many that would say that false authority was claimed under Security Council Resolution 688...I am not an international lawyer so I can't, unfortunately, give you a definate answer on the legality of the action, but I would say that it is similar to Israeli occupation of the West Bank, which is in violation of numerous UN resolutions, but which no one really does anything about. It is also

Reply to The politics of extremism in Philosophy JoeUser Forums

3) Do you support the right for women to choose to have an abortion? a. Yes in all cases (20%)* (L:5) b. In some cases (60%) c. No, it’s always wrong (20%) (C:5) *Watch for statistic manipulation on this issue, you can find stats where it goes the other way but it depends on where the poll was taken and how it is phrased. Most Americans support capital punishment in at least certain circums

Reply to Iraq: One Year On in International JoeUser Forums

We clearly disagree with the cause and results of the 1998 engagement...my argument would be that the only reason you are pointing a gun at the police officer is because the police officer did something illegal that you found threatening (ie. created a no-fly zone in your living room). However, let me make it clear that I have no sadness for the removal of Saddam Hussein, nor do I support the actions of his regime. The only reason I'm discu

Reply to Iraq: One Year On in International JoeUser Forums

"Regardless of the liberal opinion on no-fly zones, he had no right to fire on our aircraft. IF they were illegal, why not go to the all-knowing UN and address it? I love it when doves excuse someone shooting at people for esoteric reasons. Refreshingly uncharacteristic." You have missed the point that the US and the UK were engaging in daily attacks...there is nothing esoteric about self-defense. Also, I would be careful about labelling peop

Reply to GOD’S WORD ON HOMOSEXUALITY in Religion JoeUser Forums

As always with religious arguments, the Bible's meaning is subject to interpretation... There are many that would argue that the story of Sodom and Gomorrah is more of a condemnation of raping and pillaging an entire village than it is about homosexuality...one reason is the ambiguity around the words that are being translated from ancient Greek to mean homosexual. Also, where the bible talks about men and women coming together (for example

Reply to Iraq: One Year On in International JoeUser Forums

Really, the link between Saddam and 9/11 is flimsy at best. Bush has even come out and said it, albeit grudgingly. If it was so important that Saddam be removed after 9/11, why wasn't it so important for the previous ten years. I am very happy to see so many people concerned about the human rights of Iraqis, but where the heck were you before this? Saddam's ruthlessness is not a new phenomenon, why be worried about it now? And, I assume th

Reply to Iraq: One Year On in International JoeUser Forums

"His continued presence was a threat to US authority and their ability to stop conflict purely by threatening action." Since when did the US have the right to authority anywhere in the world besides within its own borders. Yes, I will agree that Saddam was an evil dictator and I didn't shed any tears about his demise. However, the United States has no authority, moral or otherwise, to be the "police force" for the world. The reason that the

Reply to President Kerry in Politics JoeUser Forums

"Note what the above anonymous poster said: "The protections of Roe vs. Wade". As if the courts have the right to write legislation." The above anonymous user was me simply because I had failed to log in. However, I'm not sure that my anonymous state is really at issue.. I never said the courts have the right to write legislation. But they do determine if legislation is constitutional, and in doing so protect rights of citizens. Roe v. W

Reply to Life's Not Fair When You're Ralph Nader in International JoeUser Forums

"'There isn't a third party worth noting because of the two-party system' is more accurate." Yes and no. It's the chicken or the egg situation. Does the lack a multi-party system come inherently from the way that the founding father's drafted the consitution, or did a two-party system survive because the "other" parties weren't strong enough to weather political pressure? Over time, third parties have had a major impact on presidential elections, in particular. Eighteen US