Quote:
Originally posted by skywalker:
This will undermine the point of the thread, but since you asked.
1) I have not seen the actual evidence linking him to the 9/11 attacks. I do know he has admitted to other terrorist acts. It makes no sense for him not to crow about it (9/11) if he did it. This does not mean I like the man or support him. For whatever reasons he does these hateful things, it is irrelevant. This is NOT the way civilized people cause change in this world. Therefore he is an unstable force (I will not use the word evil, it depends on who defines it and where you are in regards to this War) that must be stopped. So much for my sympathy.
2) Saying what is wrong with America has nothing to do with these terrorist acts. You do me a disservice when you say "If you speak out against America's policies you must be allied with our enemies!"
Were the people who spoke out against slavery allied with some enemy of the USA? Were the people who rallied for a woman's right to vote an enemy of this country? Were those who spoke out against our role in the Vietnam War enemies of America?
I have no overwhelming hate for this great nation, but I do have many issues with this administration. Many people feel we must follow and forget our differences for the greater good. That's fine for them, but not for me. I do support our brave men and women putting there lives on the line in Afghanistan. I support all the people who lost loved ones in the tragedy of the Twin Tower attack. I support all those who are terrorized in the Anthrax attacks. I support all the poor Afghans who have had to live and die under the horrible boot of oppression and now have to worry about a stray missile and become the victim of "collateral damage".
We (the USA) are not perfect, we will not get closer to perfection without people disagreeing and questioning our faults.
I have nothing more to say.
Mark
[This message has been edited by skywalker (edited 10-20-2001).]
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1) States your position on Bin Laden just fine, and leads me to believe, what I thought all along, that, no, you are not a sympathizer. I just wanted you to state your case since you were asking for an assessment.
2) I never said, ""If you speak out against America's policies, you must be allied with our enemies!"
People speak out on issues every day and always have in America; it's what makes us great. I am not always so pro-American efforts, but in this case I am. The next case I may have completely different feelings. It's a situation by situation assessment for me.
But just as people who are pushing their "America is always right" sentiment to the point of alienating people, it can also go the other way. It doesn't mean you shouldn't do it; it just means you have to expect strong reactions to strong ideas.
3) I certainly hope you don't really mean it when you said you have nothing more to say. After all, speaking out is the purpose of this entire forum.
As I have said before, we don't always agree, but I enjoy the interaction.
Finally, to reinterate....
No, I do not believe you are a Bin Laden Sympathizer.
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"The Martyr" (excerpt)
There is sobbing of the strong,
And a pall upon the land;
But the People in their weeping
Bare the iron hand:
Beware the People weeping
When they bare the iron hand.
--Herman Melville (written after the assasination of President Abraham Lincoln)
[This message has been edited by Ronn_Bman (edited 10-20-2001).]