Scott Weiser writes:

A Usenet persona calling itself Michael Daly wrote:

On 10-Feb-2005, Scott Weiser wrote:

To assume that the US is the only free and democratic nation is both naive
and a grotesque misrepresentation of facts.

Really? Cite me one single nation other than the US that is both democratic
and protects the right of citizens to keep and bear arms.

Switzerland

If you don't have a right to keep and bear arms, you are not, ipso facto,
free, you are a slave to your government because you do not have the
capacity to overthrow it should it become a tyranny.

You are fuill of ****

--
James jamesk[at]homeric[dot]co[dot]uk

Cat, n.: Lapwarmer with built-in buzzer.

A Usenet persona calling itself BCITORGB wrote:

TnT says:
=============
But it was a start, and a signal that they are sensitive to the opinion
of the rest of the world, and hopefully the needs of their own people.
======================

It was not a "start". It was bull****!

The Saudis interviewed at the polls didn't seem to think so. Who are you to
judge?


I would have thought that of all people, you, as an American, would be
able to tell the difference between a real election and a sham
election. I would have thought that you, of all people, would be
outraged by sham elections!

The thing about democracy is that it's like the mustard seed. It can start
out very small, but grow quickly once people come to understand the nature
and benefits that inhere.


--
Regards,
Scott Weiser

"I love the Internet, I no longer have to depend on
friends, family and co-workers, I can annoy people WORLDWIDE!" TM

© 2005 Scott Weiser

BCITORGB wrote:
Scott Weiser says:
================
Except that Saddam did have a lot in common with Osama. The most
important
thing they have in common is Islam
==================

Saddam's regime was a secular regime. Precisely the sort of
government
Osama despised.

frtzw906
+++++++++++++++++

At least so he says! If you believe everything he says! I've got a
bridge I will sell you.

I personally thinks he just hates America, and will express that hadred
wherever, whenever, and with whomever he can. That is his global
position! TnT

OK, I guess I misread your question. Nonetheless, global or not, I'll
venture that most of us outside of the USA would prefer a president
more in tune with our own values. Like so many in the blue states, we
"don't get" the value systems of red state voters. We get New York. We
get LA. We understand SF, Boston, Seattle, and Portland. But we're left
scratching our heads at what goes on in Kansas.

You're of course right, whether or not a Kansas school board mandates
the teaching of creationism in science classes, is of no global
consequence to the rest of us. In a similar sense, whether women in
Afghanistan are required to wear a burka or not seems of little global
import. Or maybe not.

Perhaps you felt outrage at the sight of women in Afghanistan being
required to wear burkas. Now bottle that outrage and think about it.
That's the outrage many feel when they hear that intelligent science
teachers in Kansas are forced to teach religious doctrine in science
classes. This is SCIENCE fer crissake! This is about the scientific
method and a canon of knowledge derived through that method. The
dictates of the Kansas school board are as medieval as the dictates of
the Taliban. If you want religion, set up religion classes. But don't
ask science teachers teach what they know to be blatantly false.

I guess I still haven't answered your question regarding things of
major "global" import (I'll get to that another time, perhaps). Right
now I'm giving you an example of the visceral reactions your president
and his FC followers evoke in people around the globe. We don't want to
be dragged back into the Dark Ages. we're quite comfortable in our post
modern world.

frtzw906

A Usenet persona calling itself BCITORGB wrote:

One comment only required: you clearly cannot concieve of an electoral
system or a form of government that is both different and better than
yours.

Because history has demonstrated that there isn't one.

You belittle the German model.

Guess who imposed the "German model" on Germany?

Likely you should study history before
you are so quick to dismiss alternate systems.

History proves that our system is the best.

As you likely don't know
(judging from your response), the German model was essentially based on
the American model. Under the tutelage of Americans occupying Germany,
post-WW2, a governmental system was devised. The resulting system took
the best parts of your American system and improved on it.

Not really.


I know. That may be difficult for you to comprehend. Yes, some things
are better than whatever exists in the USA.

Nah.
--
Regards,
Scott Weiser

"I love the Internet, I no longer have to depend on
friends, family and co-workers, I can annoy people WORLDWIDE!" TM

© 2005 Scott Weiser

Scott Weiser says:
===================
Once again, government support of industry is not socialistic.
AND
Welfare is socialism, which is why it ought to be done away with
======================

Government support of industry is welfare. Welfare is (according to
you) socialism. Thus, by your reckoning, government support of industry
ought to be done away with.

Please explain to the entrepreneur, trying to compete in your free
market, how agri-business (for example) deserves to be propped up but
his particular industry or firm doesn't.

I would have thought that you were of the opinion that the marketplace
should determine the allocation of scarce resources. I would have
thought that you would argue that government is in no position --
through central planning -- to determine what is or is not a prudent
use of society's scarce resources.

Apparently you do favor central planning and government intervention in
the marketplace. You have argued that government can (and even should)
make those choices.

Guess what? That makes you a socialist.

Cheers, comrade!
frtzw906
+++++++++++++++++++

Comrade Weiser emphatically asserts:
=========================
government support of industry is not socialistic. It's
merely the people of the US, through their duly elected
representatives,
choosing to support necessary strategic resources and production
capacity.
===============

Congratulations to Comrsade Weiser for so clearly articulating
fundamental socialist truths. In the name of The People, the Government
CAN and SHALL interfere in the workings of a so-called marketplace. In
the name of The People, and in Their strategic interests, the
Government must support production capacity in those industries judged
to serve The Peoples' interests.

As the determination of what is of strategic interest lies with The
People and their duly elected Representatives, all firms must be
prepared to either benefit or suffer from the Government's interference
in the marketplace. The Government will determination how scarce
resources, even tax resources, are to be allocated.

The Government will do The People's bidding in all matters.

Thank you Comrade Weiser for reminding us of the very essence of
socialism.

Cheers, Comrades
frtzw906
++++++++++++++++++++++++

BCITORGB wrote:
Comrade Weiser emphatically asserts:
=========================
government support of industry is not socialistic. It's
merely the people of the US, through their duly elected
representatives,
choosing to support necessary strategic resources and production
capacity.
===============

Congratulations to Comrsade Weiser for so clearly articulating
fundamental socialist truths. In the name of The People, the
Government
CAN and SHALL interfere in the workings of a so-called marketplace.
In
the name of The People, and in Their strategic interests, the
Government must support production capacity in those industries
judged
to serve The Peoples' interests.

As the determination of what is of strategic interest lies with The
People and their duly elected Representatives, all firms must be
prepared to either benefit or suffer from the Government's
interference
in the marketplace. The Government will determination how scarce
resources, even tax resources, are to be allocated.

The Government will do The People's bidding in all matters.

Thank you Comrade Weiser for reminding us of the very essence of
socialism.

Cheers, Comrades
frtzw906
++++++++++++++++++++++++

Comrade frtzw906, you are very funny!!! I believe that Comrade Scott
did overstate the definition of socialism to include a totalitarian
socialism, which we all hopefully agree is not a desirable regime
having just escaped from one ourselves in homeland Russia.

Here in USA the streets are paved with gold, and there is money to be
made everywhere. I don't understand the people that live here for a
long time. All they do is bitch about not having a job, and being able
to make a living, while they stand in line waiting for welfare check.
Then they get in their own SUV and drive to their own home to watch tv.
The hardest decision they make is whether to watch cable or satellite
channel.

Then they can also stop at supermarket to buy groceries where the
shelves are full with anything you want to buy, and they complain
because the price went up 5 cents since their last trip. I remember
when there was nothing to buy, and if there was anything you would pay
twice as much for it as last time only month ago.

America is really great place to live. Even the soldiers are happy here
and do not rob and beat you. They are all actually paid, and have
houses for themselves. Some even have their family with them.

I live in NYC, and if I want, I can travel to California without
getting anyones permission, or carrying papers, and having to bribe
border guards to let me pass. It is trully amazing.

I do have to pay for my medical attention here, but then there are real
doctors, and I can even choose which one I go to. I love America.

Comrade TnT

You said:
==============
Alas, that's not an uncommon occurrance with him and my remarks. That's
why I've stopped bothering to respond to anything Scott spouts.
================

I should have considered myself warned. As you've said elsewhere "he
could talk a bent bar straight" (is that a Dutch expression? -- I like
it!).

Now that I've unfrocked him as a closet socialist ("government
assistance to everyone else is bad, but it's good for me if I need it"
is his hypocritical stance. But assistance by any other name is still
socialism -- and what's so bad about that?) I'll perhaps retire.

Walking off into the sunset while dusting my hands in victory over
Scott, I remain,
frtzw906
==============================

BCITORGB wrote:
You said:
==============
Alas, that's not an uncommon occurrance with him and my remarks.
That's
why I've stopped bothering to respond to anything Scott spouts.
================

I should have considered myself warned. As you've said elsewhere "he
could talk a bent bar straight" (is that a Dutch expression? -- I
like
it!).

Now that I've unfrocked him as a closet socialist ("government
assistance to everyone else is bad, but it's good for me if I need
it"
is his hypocritical stance. But assistance by any other name is still
socialism -- and what's so bad about that?) I'll perhaps retire.

Walking off into the sunset while dusting my hands in victory over
Scott, I remain,
frtzw906
==============================

If you must leave, please paddle. Then I may see you again on the river
or lake. TnT