Quote Originally Posted by Ghost View Post
Quote Originally Posted by miles View Post
You would beat your kid for expressing an entirely valid viewpoint?

Hornfinger has said nothing particularly controversial. Sure, he could have said it with more tact, but ultimately he is quite right. The Vietnam war WAS built upon a deception. The Iraq war was again based upon deception. How dare Hornfinger suggest that those that went there to serve were in some way complicit in the deception and ultimately helped to kill many millions of people. Sure, they may have been ignorant or else just didn't care about the politics, but they still partook in a dishonest war effort. Are you suggesting that he is making that up and is out of line for suggesting that this was the case?

But sure, whip off the belt and beat the kid who reads between the lines. Gotta make those darn kids learn some respect!
You do not listen miles, you see the word beating and you get all rightist.

The words "Disrespect" and "Common Courtesy" just slip by or having no meaning in this thread. There are no valid reasons for "Disrespect", do not care how old you are. Hiding under "My Opinion" is nothing more than a cope out (Excuse's are like ass holes, every one has one and they use it often). But that's ok, he's young. So are the whole Generation Y, you know, the give it to me, do not deserve it but I want it and I want now generation. Fuck every one else so long as my opinion is heard generation.

What ever happen to family values? Not here, not now. Not in this time.

I am glad I am getting to age when my back on all the excuse's people throw out there and just walk away from it. The ignore button works find here, and I'm getting good use out of it.

BTW, miles, nothing personal in there towards you.
No, it's fine and I can see where you are coming from. As someone who believes very strongly in free speech, I just believe that you have to let people have their platform and more so if they do have valid concerns. If I was a parent nothing could make me prouder than to have a child challenge me on my viewpoints and disagree with me....just so long as they could actually back it up. Otherwise, I would be a bit let down. Maybe then it's time for the big wooden spoon!

When it comes to something like Vietnam, that is where I actually regard someone like Ali as a bit of a hero. He believed it was wrong and said no. There is no greater stand that one can make. In that sense I see where Hornfinger is coming from, if more people had that awareness, courage and sense of conviction then it wouldn't be so easy to start these irrational and awful wars and I mean that for the loss of life on both sides. There was never any need for it.

I saw the other words that you used, but clearly the beating of a child element stood out. I agree that it is better to show respect and courtesy (though I have faltered from time to time ), but I can't get too upset about the points Hornfinger has made. Generally speaking they are good ones, but I can see how they could piss some people off.

When it comes to things like family values and the like I am actually fairly traditional myself. I present myself as a bit of a left wing atheist snob, but when it comes to homelife I am pretty conservative. In person I am actually very quiet and am very considerate of other people. I kind of expect others to behave the same way. I guess when it comes to the internet though people can sometimes forget their manners and we all do it. Perhaps it's the nature of the beast.

I'm putting the monocle back on and am going to get some fruit jellies. Oh, the joy of having real teeth!