Thanks.
Many of the things that seem to be going wrong for America today can be traced to an excess of political correctness — if, indeed, that’s not a redundant phrase. When tempered by confidence in one’s self and culture, the desire not to offend others comes out as simple politeness. But when it gets out of control, as it does among Liberals, it becomes a need to prevent oneself from giving any possible hint of offense, combined with a desire to “make up” for any self-perceived racial or cultural advantage one may have, at any cost. Such desires can cause great harm to a person or a culture — or even kill them.
It’s political correctness that’s causing us the most harm in the War on Terror, especially in Iraq. How can we win a war in which we’re determined not to offend anyone, even the enemy? Political correctness caused us to treat Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr as an equal, back when his group of Iran-backed thugs was small enough to take out of the picture, if we’d had the political will. Now, he’s a major player — and a major problem.
In so many cases, our troops are not allowed to return fire when attacked from mosques, nor even from homes without a careful — and often deadly — investigation. Every action they take is dissected in detail, second-guessed by the “mainstream” media and those who seem to actually crave failure… and even used to prosecute them for doing their jobs.
In Guantanamo Bay and other places, political correctness prevents us from interrogating captured enemy fighters. Instead, our troops feed them “culturally sensitive” meals and put on gloves before handling their Qur’ans — giving in to their psychotic conviction that we are “unclean” and need to be converted or wiped out. The gloves are an ironic symbol of the delicate manner in which our soldiers are forced to treat the enemy both on and off the battlefield.
Political correctness prevents us from demanding that Iran and Syria stop shoveling funds, weapons and “foreign fighters” across their borders into Iraq as fast as they can move it all. In our zeal to treat international criminals like statesmen and elected leaders, we cripple ourselves. The leaders of Iran, in addition to supporting terrorists and insurgents in Iraq, are openly working on nuclear weapons and have declared their intention to wipe Israel off the map. Iranian clerics regularly call for the destruction of America, to the cheering of crowds. According to MEMRI (the Middle East Media Research Institute):
Responding to the sermons, frenzied crowds of Iranians chant, “Death to America,” “Death to England,” and “Death to Israel,” with the occasional “Death to Saddam.” Other popular chants include “America will be annihilated,” “Islam will be victorious,” “Woe to the enemy if Khamenei commands me to wage jihad,” and countless other curses against the West.
The sermons focus on threats against the “Great Satan,” America, and the “Little Satan,” Israel, and their coming collapse. Other themes are attacks on President Bush, praise for jihad and martyrdom, Iraq, and support for Iran’s nuclear program.
What’s our politically-correct response to hordes of Iranians screaming for our annihilation? We wonder how we’ve offended them, and how we can gain their love and trust. No wonder the jihadists are so certain of victory. We seem to have no confidence in our own culture, when people around the world want to join it so badly that in some cases, they risk death just to get here.
Perhaps the gold standard of cultural confidence was set by General Sir Charles Napier, the commander-in-chief of India under British rule. When locals complained about his banning suttee, the practice of burning widows alive on their husband’s funeral pyre, Napier is said to have responded, “You say that it is your custom to burn widows. Very well. We also have a custom: when men burn a woman alive, we tie a rope around their necks and we hang them. Build your funeral pyre; beside it, my carpenters will build a gallows. You may follow your custom. And then we will follow ours.” As a result, suttee is no longer practiced in India, and the country is much better for its absence.
Even in our own homeland, we have lost our cultural confidence. Political correctness is burying everything that made America the superpower we are today. Some of our greatest strengths have always been our sense of individualism, our spirit of capitalism, our belief in the rule of law, our patriotism and our freedom of (not from!) religious belief. The aggressive secular Socialism pushed by the Left is stifling all those things.
Nanny-state government entitlements sap our self-reliance. Punitive, progressive tax rates destroy our reasons for engaging in capitalistic enterprises. Those who want to secure our borders and stop criminal trespassers are demonised as “bigots” and “racists,” as though criminals have a distinct ethnicity. Americans who believe that the purpose of American foreign policy is to promote American interests are derided as “flag-waving mindless patriots” and “nationalists.” As John Wayne said in 1972, however, “Sure I wave the American flag. Do you know of a better flag to wave?”
Worst of all, militant secularism is taking a toll on our religious freedom. In what other country would a majority of 82% — the percentage of Americans who subscribe to one form of Christianity or another, according to a recent Baylor University study — deliberately act like the minority?
In one recent example of political correctness gone mad, the Olympic skater Sasha Cohen was “stunned” when a city official accompanied by police ordered a high school choir to stop singing “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” on her behalf. They feared that the old song (the lyrics of which reportedly date back to the 15th century) might offend her, because it mentions Christmas and she is half Jewish. No one even bothered to ask Cohen whether she was offended… which she wasn’t, as she celebrates Christmas and was currently participating in a “Christmas tree lighting tour” around the country. The grim and scowling spirit of political correctness dictated that she might be offended, therefore the music was offensive and had to be stopped. Let me point out that if you’re offended by the mere mention of a religious holiday in public, especially concerning a holiday celebrated by 96% of the people in this country, perhaps you ought to start looking for a country that suits you better.
We’re afraid to make any judgments at all, lest someone’s feelings be hurt. We spend so much time asking, “Who are we to judge?” that we actually forget who we are. At home, we need to remember that we are the country all others envy, and so many people want so desperately to reach that the sheer number of illegal immigrants actually poses a problem. What other country in the world can make that claim? We need to recover our cultural confidence before we no longer have a culture.
In Iraq and the larger War on Terror, we need to stop tiptoeing around and actually fight our enemies. You might say that we can’t win the War on Terror until we start fighting the War on Political Correctness.
Joe Mariani is a computer consultant born and raised in New Jersey. He now lives in Pennsylvania, where the gun laws are less restrictive and taxes are lower. Joe always thought of himself as politically neutral until he saw how far left the left had really gone after 9/11. His essays and links to articles are available at http://www.guardianwatchblog.com/
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amfortas said,
All others? Envy? Clearly it ain’t the case. Being proud of your country is fine but hubris comes before a fall. Supposing that everyone envies America is narcissistic and a bit of a backhander. Envy is a vice, remember. You want to be noted for other people’s sin? Perhaps you want to imagine America is a piece of cheese lusted after by gluttons.
Any country that can breed the legion of Britneys and other entitlement princesses, hasn’t earned the respect that you imagine you deserve. So, do you want to rephrase that so that your friends in other countries can agree with you.
December 27, 2006 at 7:18 am
Roger Knight said,
While I can admire Australia that at least does not seem to imprison noncustodial parents for inability to pay child support, at least we Americans have enough self respect to keep the kilometers off our road signs!
So far.
President Ford just died. If only his stupid Metric Conversion Act would die with him.
But seriously, we seem to have a problem with Milo Minderbinders running our government, our corporations, and our clergy that leads to the Bizarro world we experience as so eloquently described by Joe Mariani.
President Bush just forgot that when a President leads a nation into war, we expect him to act like Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, and Franklin Roosevelt: fight to win and STOMP any insurgency or terrorism that erupts.
We can sure use Andy the Jack right now!
December 27, 2006 at 7:45 am
amfortas said,
“While I can admire Australia that at least does not seem to imprison noncustodial parents for inability to pay child support, at least we Americans have enough self respect to keep the kilometers off our road signs!”
Yes those bloody kilometres. I still think in miles. But as for imprisonment, I live in a part of Australia - the old Van Dieman’s Land, the worst prison colony in man’s history - where Feminazis rule. Men are imprisoned here without the chance of bail on the simple accusation of a woman. The police are forbidden to investigate the accusations and the man must prove he is no future threat, even when he has never been a threat. How do you prove a negative? By the time - usually around three months before going before a magistrate - he has lost his job, his home, his children. And he has no recourse to justice.
We are not to be admired either.
December 27, 2006 at 8:00 am
chas said,
December 27, 2006 at 8:12 am
Denis said,
December 27, 2006 at 8:18 am
Joe Mariani said,
>have been to, have a better quality of life and
>better standard of living. Much less (or non-
>existent)oppressive political correctnes, less
>crime, cleaner towns and cities, and families
>that are much more in-tact.
I notice you declined to name those countries, however.
December 27, 2006 at 8:24 am
Denis said,
December 27, 2006 at 9:08 am
TheRanger said,
December 27, 2006 at 9:52 am
Joe Mariani said,
Some of the former Soviet countries are progressing well, but to say they’re better than the US… well, that’s really stretching it. They will face a crisis in the coming years, caught between an emerging IslamoEurope and a resurging totalitarian Russia. Ireland’s not doing badly, mostly due to its recent tech sector explosion, but is still crippled by being part of the EU. Pacific Islands? Great if you’re looking for a place to retire, but they’re hardly the hub of the world, are they? The whole “standard of living” thing is part of why people want to come here so badly.
December 27, 2006 at 10:10 am
Denis said,
December 27, 2006 at 11:36 am
DeezNuts said,
“Political correctness is being forced on us by libs/leftwingers. They need to be fought or we need to separate from them if we are going to survive. I am fed up with having their will imposed on me. I despise them as much as I despise any Islamic nutcase.”
You should probably despise PC (Marxism) more, since at least the crazy ragheads won’t gay rape your kids and will let you have a family.
PC is as if someone had a contest to come up with an ideology more evil and more in conflict with the nature of man than Nazism and Stalinist Marxism.
Where do you think this is going? It takes a village to raise a child?
Even in Soviet Russia or Nazi Germany families were the norm.
December 27, 2006 at 12:02 pm
DeezNuts said,
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,239080,00.html
…but no matter how many are offended, 90% or more, no matter, gay penises will be waved in your face. Its basically more gay rape from the gay rapists. I love their justification that since fags in the Castro district of SF took to these cartoons, they must now go up in preschools everywhere.
So again we have another case that shows that PC is not about offending people, its about killing America. Destroying the men here and ultimately killing anyone who might resist. Its a straight up communist attack.
The explosion of new laws and the criminalizing of everything. When a society sends someone to jail (rape camp) for child support, insensitivity, bringing an aspirin or a plastic butterknife to school, etc. What is really happening from a 10,000 foot view? The US incarcerates its citizens at a higher rate that any nation on earth!!!!!!
The war on toddlers:
http://kutv.com/watrcooler/watercooler_story_354143948.html
Handcuffing Of 5-Year-Old A Picture Postcard Of America’s Decline
http://www.tampabays10.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=13487
Father Jailed Opposing Gay Education For Kindergarten Son
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/04/29/arrested_father_had_point_to_make/
4 -year-old Accused of Improperly Touching Teacher
http://www.kxxv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5785699
Officer’s Taser is used on girl, 9
http://www.fox11az.com/news/local/stories/KMSB-20040525-dsbp-taser.1f8073c21.html
Skateboarding Children Arrested in Massachusetts
http://interestalert.com/brand/siteia.shtml?Story=st/sn/08110000aaa02d29.upi&Sys=siteia&Fid=FRONTPAG&Type=News&Filter=Front%20Page
Communist China, Iran, N. Korea, none of them imprison their citizens at nearly as high a rate.
If that’s not a warning sign, it would seem no one cares.
It amazes me that just because the attackers call it PC instead of Marxism, no one realizes what it is…!!!!
How are we so easily fooled? Please read a book on Marxist Stalinist communism. Get everyone you know to read one.
http://www.victimsofcommunism.org/history_communism.php
PC = straight up communist attack.
Why are we rolling over for it?
Tell me where I am going wrong? Let’s hear it. What can be done?
December 27, 2006 at 12:28 pm
DeezNuts said,
Documenting Communism’s Crimes Against Humanity
In October 1917, the Bolshevik Revolution — the murderous Russian coup-d’etat — birthed the deadliest mass killing force ever visited upon the human race: Communism. In less than 100 years, Communism has claimed more than 100 million lives. Today, it continues to enslave one-fifth of the world’s people. (and they’re working on the rest)
A Moral Blind Spot
It is a great moral failing for a free society to misunderstand the extent of Communism’s atrocities. While the horrors of Nazism are well known, who knows that the Soviet Union murdered 20 million people? Who knows that China’s dictators have slaughtered an estimated 60 million? Who knows that the Communist holocaust has exacted a death toll surpassing that of all of the wars of the 20th century combined?
The Battle Continues
Sadly, the specter of Communism still haunts the world. In Russia, one-third of the people believe that Stalin “did more good than bad for the country,” according to a recent poll. In China, thousands of dissidents are imprisoned in the slave labor camps known as the laogai. In North Korea, masses starve as the leadership threatens to unleash nuclear war.
…and in America the PC dictatorship consolidates power and hopes the 90% supermajority of Americans who disagree with their aims are dumb and lazy enough to roll over for it.
Remember the ’90s PC/communist mantra justifying all their new laws and restrictions: “Think of the children”
Think of the children, ban the guns, etc.
Think again because they’re going to grow up in a gay nazi commie police state thanks to the emasculated cowardice of our lazy fat empire.
Get off the couch and step to it people, if we are going to save ourselves.
Again where am I going wrong?
December 27, 2006 at 12:40 pm
DeezNuts said,
Military considers recruiting foreigners
Expedited citizenship would be an incentive
(JULIA CUMES/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
By Bryan Bender, Globe Staff | December 26, 2006
WASHINGTON — The armed forces, already struggling to meet recruiting goals, are considering xpanding the number of noncitizens in the ranks —
including disputed proposals to open recruiting stations overseas and putting more immigrants on a faster track to US citizenship if they volunteer — according to Pentagon officials.
December 27, 2006 at 12:45 pm
Denis said,
“Tell me where I am going wrong? Let’s hear it. What can be done?”
The Marxist Political Correctoids have had control over the media for 40+ years. Controlling the media meant they controlled access to information. That is changing gradually. Your links prove that. So I have hope.
They’ve been in control for a long time so it will take time to get people to open their eyes. But it is happening more and more.
December 27, 2006 at 1:26 pm
Joe Mariani said,
>the media or where ever to get your views
Ahh, yes; the old “if you disagree with my opinion, you must either be ignorant or a mindless parrot” argument. How old that one is!
>Discussing Russia’s situation and discussing
>Islamofascism is overstating the influence and
>relevance of these topics on these countries.
You really have no idea of the demographic disaster looming over Europe and Russia, do you? Did you even know that the “Chechnyan” terrorists are Islamofascists? Do you know what’s happening nightly in Paris and Brussels? In a generation, the Eastern European countries will be surrounded by either Islamic terror states or “ethnically cleansed” fascist states.
>we are invaded by illegal aliens by the millions
>yearly. Some countries, primarily France, and
>parts of southern Russia have a significant
>Muslim population
The two main differences are a) Europe and Russia are emptying themselves out as the Muslims are moving in, while the US population is not declining and b) the Muslims see themselves primarily as Muslims, not French or British or anything else. I’m against illegal immigration in America, of course, but at least a significant portion of them want to be more like us, instead of wanting to remake us in their own image.
>A lot of people really don’t give a fig that we
>are a rich and militarily powerful country.
They certainly would, if we weren’t. It’s those riches and that military that allows them to live the way they do.
>yet we are seeing many of our own rights and
>freedoms disappearing
And that’s precisely what I’m talking about.
>People in other places may have less “stuff” but
>they also don’t work their lives away.
Sure, thanks to the “wonders” of nanny-state Socialism, under which you can live a lotus-eater’s life… if you don’t mind surrendering those pesky things like rights, responsibilities, autonomy, and so on.
>American’s of all industrialized countries have
>the least amount of time-off from work.
Our work ethic is one of the main reasons we as as powerful as we are. Sure, we could all lounge about all day and watch tv, but we wouldn’t be much of a world power, now would we?
December 27, 2006 at 1:40 pm
Denis said,
“>not rely on your impressions that you get from
>the media or where ever to get your views”
“Ahh, yes; the old “if you disagree with my opinion, you must either be ignorant or a mindless parrot” argument. How old that one is!”
I base my opinions on what I know from experience and have seen myself. You base your opinions on what others tell you. It may be an old way of doing things but it is more reliable than your way. If you have’nt been to these places then you ARE more ignorant about them than I am. You did’nt address the point; you simply claim I am calling you names.
>Discussing Russia’s situation and discussing
>Islamofascism is overstating the influence and
>relevance of these topics on these countries.
You really have no idea of the demographic disaster looming over Europe and Russia, do you? Did you even know that the “Chechnyan” terrorists are Islamofascists? Do you know what’s happening nightly in Paris and Brussels? In a generation, the Eastern European countries will be surrounded by either Islamic terror states or “ethnically cleansed” fascist states.
Of course I am aware of the demographics problem and Chechnyan rebels. If you want to have an intelligent discussion about this topic instead that is fine with me. You will notice that I did not list Paris, Brussels as places to live. And I in fact listed France as having an Islam problem, and also southern regions of russia where that “Chechnyan” problem exists. So do you actually have a point here? You complicate blogging by not paying attention. If you think in 20 years that Europe will be an Islamic continent than you ARE an ignorant mindless parrot. Take a look at the demograpphics genius. It will be more like 50 years before some countries, and not the entire continent will be dominated by Islam. For sure, there is growing unrest by Muslims in Europe particularly France-but hey I’ve already said that. Pay attention please. We have leftist countries to the south and fair-weather friends to the north. Israel is surrounded by enemy states and has been for a long time. I think the brave will either stick around these Eastern and Central European countries and face the challenge or take your advice and live in fear. But if you ever go to the recommended countries I’ve listed you will discover there is no Muslim problem there. You don’t have to move to these places if you don’t want to. The topic was PC, and living in other countries-remember?
>we are invaded by illegal aliens by the millions
>yearly. Some countries, primarily France, and
>parts of southern Russia have a significant
>Muslim population
The two main differences are a) Europe and Russia are emptying themselves out as the Muslims are moving in, while the US population is not declining and b) the Muslims see themselves primarily as Muslims, not French or British or anything else. I’m against illegal immigration in America, of course, but at least a significant portion of them want to be more like us, instead of wanting to remake us in their own image.
Europe and Russia generally have a population growth below replacement levels for the native populations. There is no mass exodus as you imply. Likewise, there are areas, as stated previously in southern regions of russia where there are significant Muslim problems-but it is not at this time a widespread problem across Russia. Certtainly they are growing but not at a rate to turn Europe into another Mideast in 20 years. That’s absurd. Do the demonstrators waving Mexican flags want to be American? Or do they want to re-annex the southwest U.S.? How come I have to choose between Spanish or English when making calls? How come I have to subsidize bi-lingual education? Is it because they want to be American? Or is it because of PCism and that I’m suppose to assimilate to their culture instead of them assimilating to my culture?
A lot of people really don’t give a fig that we
>are a rich and militarily powerful country.
They certainly would, if we weren’t. It’s those riches and that military that allows them to live the way they do.
I think Eastern Europeans and Central Eurpoeans like America but they like their home better. I think these countries have stategic value to the U.S.. Other places such as in some of the The Pacific Island areas do not and so they do not expect the U.S. to come to their defense. Same with other countries I did not list.
>yet we are seeing many of our own rights and
>freedoms disappearing
And that’s precisely what I’m talking about.
I know. That’s why I said it. That’s also one reason why people don’t think America is the cat’s meow and want to live here, or live here for a long time before they go to their native country.
>People in other places may have less “stuff” but
>they also don’t work their lives away.
Sure, thanks to the “wonders” of nanny-state Socialism, under which you can live a lotus-eater’s life… if you don’t mind surrendering those pesky things like rights, responsibilities, autonomy, and so on.
What ARE you talking about? I thought the topic was PCism and places to live. Eastern Europe, Central Europe, Estonia, even Finland have very market-oriented economies. Pacific Island areas are not socialist. Neither is Ireland really.
>American’s of all industrialized countries have
>the least amount of time-off from work.
Our work ethic is one of the main reasons we as as powerful as we are. Sure, we could all lounge about all day and watch tv, but we wouldn’t be much of a world power, now would we?
Look I started my own business years ago. I’ve grown it myself. I put in days that 99% of Americans do not put in. Many Americans put in long days but have little to show for it after a lifetime. Some Americans have work ethics that can’t be called a work ethic. You main point was PCism. I initially responded to that, but I also echoed amfortas comment regarding “all other countries envy..” Like him, I disagree with you. Not all countries envy America and not all people want to live in America.
December 27, 2006 at 3:01 pm
DadWithGirls said,
Kind of gives the lie to the whole modern “mobile culture” cliche.
I also read that only about 20% of Americans have ever been to another country. (Not sure if Canada counts…)
So on its face, it would seem to be ironic that a people who are basically stay-at-homes, culturally underdeveloped, lacking in curiousity, and convinced of their own superiority …
would still think that everyone else in the world wants to BE LIKE THEM!
If Americans ever got any actual education about the guaranteed 6-week vacations, excellent child daycare, free medical benefits, laws against destroying towns through capital flight (NAFTA), and vastly lower violent crime rates …
all of which are normal indices of an “inferior” quality of life in dozens of countries…
do you think Americans would care?
Because that rupture in indoctrinated consciousness would interrupt the continuous “We’re Number One!” mantra that is so essential for the political maintenance of the status quo.
I know people (some expats but also a lot of nationals) living in shitty Third World dives who would never consider returning to or emigrating to North America.
They simply wouldn’t trade their tropical souls for the current U.S.’ Mall Culture, braindead media, corporate zombie-life, and gridlock workaholism.
I guess it all comes down to defining what criteria you choose to employ to define your specialness?
December 27, 2006 at 4:31 pm
mazza said,
When I see real poverty, I really miss the good old USA. Real poverty is a horror. Knowing you walk past people whose stomachs are aching for hunger is difficult, especially when there are thousands of them.
Yes, the US has poor people, but they are pretty fat and happy for the most part. For all its faults, the US is a wonderland of happiness, fat, sugar, alcohol, religion, beaches, TV, good-looking people and economic possibility.
I hope it lasts a good long time and lifts up a lot of people!
December 27, 2006 at 4:46 pm
Joe Mariani said,
December 27, 2006 at 4:58 pm
Joe Mariani said,
>about the guaranteed 6-week vacations,
>excellent child daycare, free medical benefits
Actually, we know all about State-controlled business and State-raised children, and most of us soundly reject it. And nothing on this Earth is free. Thanks anyway, though. I hope that you, too, will point out the fleeing American refugees when you see them. It’s a source of endless amusement that, whenever one mentions American exceptionalism, all some people can think of is malls and Britney Spears. Who’re the ones who get all their info from the media, I wonder?
December 27, 2006 at 5:02 pm
mruffolo said,
“Jan. 5 court date aimed at sorting through some of
the mounting legal issues related to Michigan’s new
constitutional amendment banning some public
affirmative action programs.”
“Michigan voters approved Proposal 2 — which bans the
use of race and gender preferences in university
admissions and government hiring and contracting.”
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061227/NEWS99/61227023
December 27, 2006 at 6:10 pm
DadWithGirls said,
Well, your words are true… enough.
Except your label “state-controlled business” is disguised as “the free market” in our country.
And, “state-raised children” are the latchkey kids of the declining American middle class where parents work three Wal-Mart jobs, etc. to make the mortgage and credit card payments.
A vacation is Christmas day off without pay.
And, I suspect, very few Americans are educated about the social benefits that Europeans enjoy as part of what they have democratically decided as the “quality of life” they wish to have as a common social denominator.
The sad tragedy of modern America is that there is absolutely no sense of commonality, community, or civic life.
It’s every man/woman for his/herself and anytime anyone tries to propose economic reforms to put a tiny brake on runaway pirate globalism, they get automatically slammed with the “socialist” or “dirty liberal” labels.
The labels serve a very specific purpose.
To shut down thinking, close off dialogue, maintain the power, shame-and-blame the heretics.
If any reader/poster on MND has lived in a country where qualities of life were equal or better than those in Our No. 1 America…
maybe post what you experienced?
The “nothing is free” remark is beyond dispute.
I think every thinking American is starting to understand that Freedom is expensive.
December 27, 2006 at 7:34 pm
Joe Mariani said,
>is disguised as “the free market” in our
>country.
Oh, if you’re suggesting we already have far too many government regulation on business,then I agree.
>“state-raised children” are the latchkey kids
Uhh, no, state-raised kids are pretty much raied by the state.
>of the declining American middle class where
>parents work three Wal-Mart jobs, etc. to make
>the mortgage and credit card payments
If you’re suggesting that people should be more responsible when assuming debt, I agree. If you’re bashing the government because people are “allowed” to assume more debt than they can pay back, then I have to say that it isn’t the job of the government to tell you how much you can spend.
>social benefits that Europeans enjoy
At the cost of a sustainable economy and a death-spiraling population, sure. But who cares about the future? That’s tomorrow, right?
>The sad tragedy of modern America is that there
>is absolutely no sense of commonality,
>community, or civic life.
Where are you looking? There’s plenty of community and civic life everywhere, if you want it. Of course, those things used to be centered around one’s local church, but the Left has been working for decades to destroy what used to be the center of the average American’s sense of community.
>runaway pirate globalism
Tell me you’re not proposing economic isolationism. In the 21st century?
>qualities of life were equal or better
Of course, that’s a very subjective thing. I’m sure there are plenty of people who’re quite happy with high taxes, stagnant economies and oppressive government regulations as long as they get their government paycheck without having to work for it.
>I think every thinking American is starting to understand that Freedom is expensive.
News flash: most of us already knew. We’ve always known. Please stop mistaking the foolish chatterers in the media for the majority of Americans.
December 27, 2006 at 7:49 pm
Denis said,
No. Actually you have a problem with understanding plain English and reading plain English. YOU made the exaggerated claim that “all other countries envy..” And that is simply not true. You made the claim that the U.S. is so much better than all other countries. There are a LOT of crapy countries, e.g. India for one. But America is NOT better than ALL of the countries. You are the one who exhibits a “personal bias” that is borne of ignorance. I exhibit facts borne of personal experience.
“I’m sure there are some places in the world that are nicer to live than some places in America.”
Duh!!! What have I been saying all along?? Did I list every other country other than the U.S.? No, I listed “some places”. I exhibit facts borne of personal experience.
December 27, 2006 at 8:27 pm
Joe Mariani said,
Well, of course it is. Name a country that does not envy our economic, military or cultural power. The first person who commented on this post sneered about Britney Spears, missing the point that such a simple-minded pop-tart is known around the world due to the sheer power and pervasiveness of American culture. What country wouldn’t envy such influence? Now, mind you, I’m not talking about every individual person in every country in the world, as you seem to think.
>But America is NOT better than ALL of the
>countries.
Actually… yeah, it is.
December 27, 2006 at 8:34 pm
Denis said,
Gee can you possibly be a more arrogant asshole? I mean really, how the fuck do you know whether my experiences are whistle-stop tours? Stay the ignorant dumbfuck you are. I don’t care. I tried to have an intelligent civil discussion with you and you are’nt capable of it. You make up complete bs about me that has no basis in truth or fact simply because you don’t what the fuck you are talking about. So fuck you and the horse you rode in on.
December 27, 2006 at 8:35 pm
Joe Mariani said,
Are you giving lessons?
>how the fuck do you know whether my experiences
>are whistle-stop tours?
That’s my point. I don’t know. You make assertions with nothing to back them up except, “well, I’m right and you’re wrong, cause I know better.” What is that?
December 27, 2006 at 8:37 pm
Denis said,
December 27, 2006 at 9:00 pm
Joe Mariani said,
>Lebanon in 20 years
“We are in a state of civil war, orchestrated by radical Islamists. This is not a question of urban violence any more. It is an intifada, with stones and Molotov cocktails … You no longer see two or three youths confronting police, you see whole tower blocks emptying into the streets to set their ‘comrades’ free when they are arrested.”
- Michael Toomis, secretary general of Paris’ Action Police trade union, October 2006
>So I deconstruct that ridiculous idea about
>demographics
“Deconstruct” must have acquired a new meaning between dinner and just now. Are you saying that the fertility rates across Europe and Russia aren’t in a death spiral, or that Muslim immigrants aren’t moving into Europe?
>you think these economies are socialist
Government-guaranteed jobs… State-mandated vacations… taxpayer-funded health care… high tax rates to pay for social programs… high unemployment because of flat economies due to high taxes and government policies, leading to more government dependency, leading in turn to higher taxes to support the unemployed… Nope, no Socialism to see here; move along.
>Why the hell don’t YOU describe for me the
>Islam problem in say, Prague
It’s a matter of demographics, though you don;t seem to believe it. You see, fewer people are having children, even in Prague.
“Having children here is expensive, and there is no structure: no services, no baby-sitting,” said Ms. Heitmankova, who is on maternity leave. ““It would be nice if there were still nurseries, like when I was a child,” she said, referring to free Communist-era child care.
After a long decline, birthrates in European countries have reached a historic low, as potential parents increasingly opt for few or no children. European women, better educated and integrated into the labor market than ever before, say there is no time for motherhood and that children are too expensive anyway.
from “European Union’s Plunging Birthrates Spread Eastward,” NY Times, 4 September 2006
Now, when there aren’t enough people working to support the retired population, where do you think new immigrants will come from? Pay attention to something beyond the present.
Oh, and any further posts containing swearing or insults will simply be deleted.
December 27, 2006 at 9:23 pm
amfortas said,
OK, Britney was a bit of a dig. But come on Joe, I did say you were doing well up to the envy bit. No need to get shitty when someone disagrees on a small point.
Whether some northern or eastern European will come out or not as the countries that are most livable, conditions will deteriorate across the whole western civilised world under the continuing deleterious influence of Femonazism, and PC is just one manifestation of that.
As we deteriorate, China will gain ascendancy. Their culture is very different, despite their recent moves toward a ‘consumer’ economy. Different and powerful. “Commanded’ with a compliant populous. This is a critical period we are living in. The moral leadership of Great Britain was taken away after an exhausting world war; taken advantage of by an envious and largely unscathed United States. (remember the words about sin?). As I see it (you may not agree but I won’t be shiity about it) The moral stances of America are long on rhetoric but have fallen far shorter in practice. There is very little morality left and Great Britain is great only in title now, so far down the hill has it fallen. There is great danger of a moral vacuum being filled by a chinese cultural view of morality. Pragmatism and elites rule in that view.
As for the work ethic of Americans, their powerhouse economic success has taken its toll and despite the lack of holidays as a major complaint (!!!??) the work ethic pales compared to the Indians who have hardly any ‘holidays’ as we know them, are by far and away the hardest working people on earth and will become the world’s major intelligent workers within this century.
In the next 30 years, American rhetoric about being the Greatest Nation on earth will be seen as hubristic nonesense. Sorry fellas. Its non-PC to say so, I know.
December 27, 2006 at 10:40 pm
Denis said,
In post number 10 I said:
“Some countries, primarily France, and parts of southern Russia have a significant Muslim population.”
In post number 17 I REPEAT:
“You will notice that I did not list Paris, Brussels as places to live. And I in fact listed France as having an Islam problem, and also southern regions of russia where that “Chechnyan” problem exists. So do you actually have a point here? You complicate blogging by not paying attention.”
also I said in post number 17:
“For sure, there is growing unrest by Muslims in Europe particularly France-but hey I’ve already said that.”
In post number 25 I said:
“No. Actually you have a problem with understanding plain English and reading plain English.”
It’s a common issue with you.
Your recent post and shown below simply agrees with what I have been saying all along:
“We are in a state of civil war, orchestrated by radical Islamists. This is not a question of urban violence any more. It is an intifada, with stones and Molotov cocktails … You no longer see two or three youths confronting police, you see whole tower blocks emptying into the streets to set their ‘comrades’ free when they are arrested.”
- Michael Toomis, secretary general of Paris’ Action Police trade union, October 2006″
The riots in France are old news. The subsequent unrest is old news. If you bothered to read what I actually post (and you can read above)you would not be spinning the issue into one about unrest in Paris and other parts of France.
My point about France and Lebanon had to do with demographics. Even you may know the defintion of that word Joe. Please look it up so I don’t have to waste yet more time repeating the obvious:
In post number 29 I said:
“Prove to me that Paris will look like the middle east in 20 years. You make one exaggerated claim after another and you complain about my exertions. You can’t back up anything you say.”
In post 9 you said:
“They will face a crisis in the coming years, caught between an emerging IslamoEurope and a resurging totalitarian Russia.”
In post 16 you said:
“In a generation, the Eastern European countries will be surrounded by either Islamic terror states or “ethnically cleansed” fascist states.”
THAT IS ABSOLUTELY ABSURD. You are claiming here that in 20 years the European states around Eastern Europe will be Islamic terror states or ethnically cleansed fascist states. You are saying that Hungary, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, are going to be Islamic terror states in 20 years? You actually believe this? You believe in 20 years these will be Muslim states?? You believe this? In 20 years???
The low birthrates of the native population in the European countries and the concurrent Muslim immigration will not turn these European countries into Muslim majority countries in the next 20 years. Maybe some countries in 50 (see my note at the end)years but not all these countries over the next 20 years. Like I already said in:
post number 17:
“Ifyou think in 20 years that Europe will be an Islamic continent than you ARE an ignorant mindless parrot. Take a look at the demograpphics genius. It will be more like 50 years before some countries, and not the entire continent will be dominated by Islam.”
and:
“Europe and Russia generally have a population growth below replacement levels for the native populations. There is no mass exodus as you imply. Likewise, there are areas, as stated previously in southern regions of russia where there are significant Muslim problems-but it is not at this time a widespread problem across Russia. Certtainly they are growing but not at a rate to turn Europe into another Mideast in 20 years.”
So you go and say:
Deconstruct” must have acquired a new meaning between dinner and just now. Are you saying that the fertility rates across Europe and Russia aren’t in a death spiral, or that Muslim immigrants aren’t moving into Europe?
Maybe reading has taken on a new meaning for you. Maybe you just look at letters and walk away. Maybe you are incapable of connecting words and ideas. Do you see me claiming that there is no problem with European and Russian birthrates? Does the following post that I made early on not get through to you (post 17):
“Europe and Russia generally have a population growth below replacement levels for the native populations. There is no mass exodus as you imply.”
In post 16 you said:
“The two main differences are a) Europe and Russia are emptying themselves out as the Muslims are moving in,..”
The one idea I disagree with is “emptying themselves out..” The problem is that the native populations are not replacing themselves. That is a problem. By emptying themselves out you are implying leaving, as in a mass exodus and that is not hapopening. If current trends continue then the native population will become a smaller and smaller percentage of the total population while the birthing populations, primarily Muslims if it continues, will become a larger percentage of the population. But this is not going to turn russia or Europe into Islamic terror states in 20 years. I’ve repeated this over and over.
“Deconstruct” must have acquired a new meaning between dinner and just now.”
You still have a problem with being an insulting
arrogant d***. I’m a bigger d*** however.
Oh, and simply out of respect for Mike LaSalle and not you,I will clean up the swearing here and elsewhere; I know it’s an issue with him which does matter to me; your issue with it is of no relevance to me.I don’t want Mike POd at me. You,I could not care less.
You insult my personal experience in
other countries then you get all girlly about my subsequent insults to you.
Then at the end you said:
“It’s a matter of demographics, though you don;t seem to believe it. You see, fewer people are having children, even in Prague.”
“How, when there aren’t enough people working to support the retired population, where do you think new immigrants will come from? Pay attention to something beyond the present.”
Instead of giving a lecture about birthrates. which I previously discussed (post 17)and have proven that I do “seem to believe it” how about explaining the point you made that I was actually challenging: “In a generation, the Eastern European countries will be surrounded by either Islamic terror states or “ethnically cleansed” fascist states.”
Note:
What I will do over the next day or so, as I am running out of time now, is find my references
regarding native European birthrates and Muslim birthrates in Europe. No way are European countries (urrounding Eastern Europe)going to turn into Muslim majority Islam fascist states in 20 years.
December 27, 2006 at 11:00 pm
Joe Mariani said,
>culture/society is the best
You’re entitled, since this is (obviously) an opinion piece.
>As we deteriorate, China will gain ascendancy.
Only if they reverse their falling fertility rate, which is presently 1.73. They, too, will have trouble providing for their aging population later in this century.
>the work ethic pales compared to the Indians
Agreed. India may become the next economic powerhouse that drives the world. A lot depends on what happens with Pakistan.
December 28, 2006 at 4:56 am
Joe Mariani said,
>
>The riots in France are old news.
Two months is “old news?” Wait… you really think they stopped when the papers here stopped covering them, don’t you?
>By emptying themselves out you are implying
>leaving, as in a mass exodus
People die, you know. Russia is losing approximately 700,000 people every year.
>how about explaining the point you made that I
>was actually challenging: “In a generation, the
>Eastern European countries will be surrounded
>by either Islamic terror states or “ethnically
>cleansed” fascist states.”
Since you obviously don’t want to hear it from me, I strongly suggest you read Mark Steyn’s new book, “America Alone.”
December 28, 2006 at 5:03 am
oneShef said,
All of you can move to Texas, we’ve got plenty of room and geography for just about everyone!
Joe, you are correct about pc. We as a nation have gone down a slippery slope that began in the early 1900’s. Anyone remember Mr Rockefeller? The most enigmatic of greedy bastards of our time. This man’s family still is the most wealthy family in the world controlling most all industries critical to lifeby way of trusts that are very well hidden to all who dare look….continuing, then immediately after WWII, the Supreme Court in ‘47 declared the separation of church and state. Anyone in the US at that time who would have, could have spoken up about this MAJOR error in judicial arrogance would have been publicly stoned! Hey, we were the victors….how stupid of someone to “question” the elected “authority”? That is where public silence appeared to start to me. It’s been PC for everyone since then..
As for our quality of life, yes, perhaps there was or even may still be a bit left in the bucket. But I believe we are living off our parents creation…the shine has left and the tarnish has taken hold…the marketing of America took off in the 60’s and early 70’s as advertising coincided with the worldwide advent of tv. That helped more than anything else. We also had a better balance in politics, but that soon began to change when “someone” disliked the idea of the Kennedy boys really wanting to create a country that was rich yet cared for it’s poor. Subsequent Presidents were too far removed from the horrors of WWII to care about protocal and found new ways to stretch accepted standards of deceincy. I my mind, everyone is at fault. I also see many now who want to assist change and be part of change and the frustration with the inability to effect change has everyone up in arms…
Chris, I love you man! You are right about many of the area’s you spoke about. And, there are many you didn’t give credit to as you alluded. Quality of life has different values to most people. I, like you, would prefer a slower community based life. Others, prefer the vibrancy of cities and market areas. I have a friend who has moved here from India, and his reason for coming here was for his daughters..more specifically qaulity of life>>>>meaning, in his words…water and electricity at any time you want it! I had never considered that. And as one post noted, India is a country of extremes. But, so is ours. Poor is relative. I have been in the southern US in places most have never ventured and I can tell you, the guy their that is poor, is tired of being hungry too, and wonders where he can get a job that will provide sufficient income for gas, food and the rest of the day to day needs. The west and midwest also have these. All this to say, you did a good job getting your thoughts across..
Amfortas made the best point. Sin has a way of exacting a price that MUST be paid sooner or later. Britain WAS a great nation and soon the wealth was plundered. The US is..was..and what will be our story? G_D has made it clear that nations that choose to ignore His guidance will soon have their wealth handed to other nations. How this occurs really is of no consequence. Failure to honor G_D has a price and failing to correct sinful practices is the beginning of the end. We as a nation are no better than other great nations before us, whether we want to consider that matters none in the least. What we all need..what we all want is a way to get our leaders to take us back..by way..of the law, to the day when laws were about us and not about the businesses lobbying them. Sounds kinda like old Israel, doesn’t it. Eating manna all day, they got tired of the same of stuff and yearned for the days in Egypt. Same story, different time. We all need to call out to G_D and ask Him to forgive us as individuals and as a country.Then we need to repent. Then we need to change the laws that have led to this slippery slope….
Protectionism?! Where did that word come from? All country have always been, more or less, self supporting. We have lessons about the Silk road and the Spice trade, but again, those were not necessity items were they?
Joe and Chris, you both agree on several things. Our country is not what it once was for varying reasons. I hope you would agree because to me, you both started out with well thought out and well written pieces. It was the passion with which you both wrote that soon manifested itself in your frustration…let it go. We all have bigger fish to fry and we’ll need each other in order to accomplish what is on the horizon for those of us here in the country we love…
December 28, 2006 at 4:10 pm
donnieboy57 said,
December 29, 2006 at 6:40 pm
amfortas said,
When Great Britain decided to take Australia and make the biggest damn prison in the history of the world, the poor, the minor crims, the dispossessed, the brutish and barely nasty folk, many just teenagers, were inadvertently sent to heaven on earth. Freed from the trappings of a doomed society, they made a new world. It worked a treat. Those that survived the ordeal turned out to be quite nice folk. They needed a wash, of course, but the sea soon cleaned them up.
Aussies are undoubtedly the most idle folk on the planet now. Mostly brain-dead, we have the luxury of the old world and the same old sins. And the beaches.
I walk up to the Lookout near my home and gaze down the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, and it is stupifyingly beautiful. I drive across to Bruny Island and walk on a beach which is pure white, stretches for miles and sings as my feet touch the sand. The beach sings! You have to walk on it to believe it.
The repression of men we find in feminism is the latest and most successful attack by Evil. The Princess of Lies has the ultimate Weapon against humanity. It attacks the Ground of Humanity, the generative expression of Love, the greatest gift God gave to humanity.
Feminism will be defeated and I will still have the beach that sings. (OK, I may cark it before feminism finally goes but I am advanced in years anyway).
(PS. Bruny D’Entrcasteax was a French Admiral who first set a European foot here. Damned fool planted a small garden to grow some veggies to pick up on his return trip and left soon after. That’s the French for you. The rest is history. He passed Cook coming the other way who promptly planted the English flag and pinched the veggies. hahahahahaha)
December 29, 2006 at 7:55 pm
Joe Mariani said,
Quality of life had nothing to do with my point, which was this: the US is the most powerful country on Earth, like it or not, and it’s not an accident. In the Darwinian competition of nations, something we’ve been doing has worked, at least thus far. It’s time we stopped the “aw, shucks” routine, take a look at what’s made us so powerful and promote it in other countries.
December 29, 2006 at 8:25 pm
conservativation said,
I had to jump into the fray here in your little spat w/ Joe. I have walked the streets of Tallin, through the Viru (gate) and spent some time in Estonia therefore, I’ve done the Czeck thing, Russia herself, as well as Romania and Hungary. I’ve traveled by foot, cat and train across some of these places spending weeks there, and know alot of locals now. So, I can see your point when you state what you do. Yes, I know a lot of Americans who up and moved to Bucharesti, and are prospering wildly, and the girls, well nevermind.,BUT, thats for enterprising people like maybe you, maybe me, maybe many who post here, but to overlay the total society with ours yields huge negatives in those exciting and romantic places. You know the problems well if you’ve spent the time you say you have in those places.
I’ve been all over the world, and ALWAYS one of the first things I said when I got on the plane to come home was (if it was an American airline carrier) was how nice to be home as I took my seat. That is not to disparage other places at all, Ive lived in the homes of the Dutch for weeks on end and my friends would think I was insane to suggest my American life is better then theirs in Holland. Its got a lot to do w/ perspective.
But Joe is correct on many levels, though I feel he just chose the wrong word…that being envy. I don’t know what I’d call the desire that is in mnay a 3rd worlders mind to come here but its not envy. In conversation, they berate our issues and problems yet wont to sort of exploit our opportunities simply because those opportunities exist. One of my best friends is from Brazil. He worked here 2 years and could have stayed but asked his company to keep transfering him so that he could get back home to Brazil….no family, no reason other than he prefered Brazil, and I think under any mild scrutiny our situation in the US compares quite favorably to that in Brazil…but his perspective…
Finally, Oneshef…yep I live in Texas too, and I’ve been here 20 years, originally from Ohio, having lived in Chicago, New Jersey, Miami, Atlanta and West Virginia. I have to say there in my mind is no better place in the states than Texas once you actually become a part of it. I naturalized myself by marrying a texan and have texan kids, and no desire to live anywhere else in the US.
Can’t we all just get along????
December 31, 2006 at 7:57 am
conservativation said,
December 31, 2006 at 7:58 am
NationalVoice said,
January 3, 2007 at 9:55 am