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link
And the fact that you're actually proud of yourself patrolling streets and taking and opening fire makes me sick.
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So the fact that he is proud to have defended the defenseless makes you sick? It's not a matter of "I got to shoot at fifty [insert racial slur of choice] today", it's a matter of "I was able and ready to defend the peace in a region of the world where instability and violence was more common than it was with my presence"
The fact that you feel that is something to be looked down upon says alot about you Link. Let me quote one of my favorite songs and one that has helped shape the direction of my life
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If tomorrow all the things were gone I’d worked for all my life,
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife.
I’d thank my lucky stars to be living here today,
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can’t take that away.
And I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.
From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee,
across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea,
From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA,
Well, there’s pride in every American heart,
and it’s time to stand and say:
I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.
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While I agree with much that Felix said there is a small % of the population that is unemployable due to mental health problems, physical handicaps, etc etc, they certainly didn't "choose" to be homeless, and likely either don't know, or refuse the options that could alleviate their pain (mental hospitals, social security and halfway houses, etc)
Since the commercial in question was supposed to have been on american MTV it makes sense to look at it from an American perspective, and is unfair to overgeneralize (in both ways). AIDS cases in the USA are MOSTLY caused by the wilfull actions of those aflicted, in third world countries, not so much. But unsanitary blood transfusions hasn't been an issue in the US in a very long time, sharing needles for drug use, they knew the risks going in. the only ones who aren't at fault are babies born with AIDS which is a tiny portion of the US AIDS population (which is what Felix was addressing, and overgeneralised).
For Africa where is it so rampant and widespread I'm sure a much higher % of the problem is due to children being born with the disease, and surviving into childbearing age (which is much lower there than is considered normal in the west) and having children.
As for world hunger, and homelessness, the US donates very substantial amounts to foreign governments, as well as what is donated and volunteered by private citizens, and it grows exponentially when there is a major event that makes things worse in the country in question, like the tsunami relief efforts.
But the problems are also prevalent in the US, and I'm a firm believer in making sure your own house is in order before telling other people how to arrange theirs. The homeless (if able to work) should get involved with programs like habitat for humanity, where they help build their own homes and donate x amount of hours to Habitat for Humanity before being given a home, like Felix said, building their own place in the world.
[ 09-20-2005, 01:02 PM: Message edited by: Morgeruat ]