Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : Let's Talk About Our Feelings!!! -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: greenspirit who wrote (21105)	4/28/1998 10:06:00 AM
From: AugustWest	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 108807

>>. It does mean that I believe in the principles of representative government, who's goals are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. For a nice twist to that, ever hear the song Flower Punk by Zappa! Also, did you know that Jefferson once said that there should be a revolution in this country every ten years. I don't think he meant it literally, but rather I think it was in reference to the term limits placed on our presidency. I'm not sure this has much to do with the price of tea in Boston, but I thought it was an interesting idea that I wanted to share. Forgive me for jumping in on the conversation.... I should have learned, eh Christine?

To: greenspirit who wrote (21105)	4/28/1998 2:45:00 PM
From: Grainne	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 108807

Michael, the religious right affects me because it foments hate and negativity of every kind in America. Hate crimes continue to go up, stoked by religious radio shows that lie about homosexuality. The militia movement continues to grow, there is more and more paranoia about the United Nations and black helicopter, more anti-Semitism, more of everything that is ignorant and bigoted and narrow. It is true that these things do not exist in San Francisco, but a city is nowhere I would like to retire. Aside from the culture of the coastal areas of northern California, which is much like Puget Sound, another place I feel comfortable, I live in almost total disagreement with the increasing conservatism and escalating violence of the United States. Colin Powell has it right when he says that our main problem is America's youth. Children are not a priority here, and there are fewer and fewer services for them. Programs like midnight basketball, or after-school programs, are seen as fluff that taxpayers should not be expected to pay for. There is a cultural emptiness. I see America becoming more and more dangerous, particularly from the enormous numbers of guns and a climate of senseless violence. I also see it rapidly becoming two countries, one for the rich and one for the poor. During my childhood, most people were middle class, and materialism had not gotten so out of control. Ireland is losing its religion, which was Catholic, incidentally, not conservative Christian. There are not very many young people who want to be priests or nuns, and so they are turning their schools and hospitals over to the state to run, and the Church has much less influence on law as well. Huge amounts of publicity revealing the extent of priests molesting children is the primary cause for all of this, and the fact that Irish people are becoming more educated makes them more likely to think rationally instead of operate on fear and superstition. These factors have all added to the lessening of religious influence on the Irish state. And Ireland is full of Sheela-na-gigs and other Celtic ruins, and there is a huge pagan movement there. There are wonderful Celtic and pagan festivals every year. I will find lots of people who share my beliefs there. But a primary reason for living there is that my husband is from there, and he would like to go home. I also think it offers many more opportunities for our daughter. I have been disenchanted with America for a long time, and so being disenchanted is nothing new for me. I am sure I will survive it just fine, if it happens again. I think America is a huge, international bully, supports many violent dictatorships because it suits our political goals, and was founded on the slaughter of the Indians and enslavement of black people. There is nothing here that I really stand for or believe in, particularly, to the extent that I am compelled to stay here. I am mostly very embarrassed to be an American. You know, Michael, America has no monopoly on representative government, with the goals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These can easily be found in western Europe, as well. I think you are to be commended for being brave enough to die for your country. I am definitely not. I would die to protect my child or my husband, and probably to save any young child. These decisions are usually made in the middle of absolute shock and terror during some sort of attack, and reactions are a little unpredictable. But I would not die for this country.