jbe, that's an interesting re-write of history. Let me see if I can provide a different perspective. :-)
First of all, I never began the conversation with you. So if you felt the question was "illogical" or "threatening" in any way, and didn't want to take up the "challenge" (your word) why bother?
Message 10285113
Second, here is the exact words regarding your first reply.
) Burning the flag is burning the symbol of a state, as a protest against a policy of policies of that state. Although not "okay," it is nevertheless not an act designed to threaten another individual or group of individuals, or to offer bodily harm to anyone.
2) Burning a cross, which is the symbol of a faith, is most definitely not aimed against that faith,. Rather, it is designed to threaten a particular individual (black, Catholic, whatever) or group of individuals. And it has often been followed by "bodily harm" to the targets of intimidation.
I noticed that you rewrote them to be somewhat different with a little less focus on "threatened" in your "Distinction number 2". Interesting why you did that since "threatened" was the key word I commented on regarding your points. A point in which you did not disagree. To be threatened is in the eye of the beholder, and free speech is not always determined to be illegal when it is threatening. I provided Alec Baldwin's rant as a perfect example. He was never arrested for "threatening" anyone. So your logic was flawed.
After I pointed it out, I believe you realized it, and instead of admitting to that which was obvious, elected instead to divert the discussion into a more personal realm by pointing me rudely to a book called "Faulty logic". You may consider that blunt, but I consider it rude, and it only shows how desperate you must have felt to go down that road. Going down a road of personal attack was your choice. And if you don't understand how that could be perceived, I suggest you read some good books on open dialogue and discussion.
Any conversation regarding "sactimonious" after that fact was entirely your doing. And to suggest otherwise demonstrates an inability to look honestly inward.
Michael |
