Quote (Lord Dave @ July 16 2006, 10:24 pm)

The middle east is a very fragile place.  Right now we, the US, are trying to get them to trust us as much as possible so that there won't be more and more people joining the fight to get america out.  A cartoon depicting Mohommed, which the muslim faith says is a big no-no, could throw the whole middle east into a fresh set of "kill the americans" thus making the whole reigon even more unstable and possibly blow up in our faces... again. It all comes down to a choice between not showing a religious figure on South Park or spirring a fresh set of blood and violence.

I'm sorry but nobody has the right not to be offended, certainly not a bunch of bastard terrorists.  They already hate us, that's not fixable, even with a capitulating attitude.  The message we should (and to a signifcant degree are) be sending is "Lay a hand on any of our people and we'll f*cking annihilate you!" (See: Israel)

Quote (Wheezle @ July 17 2006, 5:41 am)

Quote (FaTaL eRrOr @ July 17 2006, 2:00 pm) I understand the concerns, but I'm with Seavey.  If we say "Oh we won't risk offending you because you might blow us up", all that does is teach them (the militant anti-Americans) that as long as they continue to threaten violence, we will capitulate.  If it starts with something as insignificant as a TV show, what does it matter?  But then it progresses and gets to the point where we don't dare say anything if we want to avoid violence.  It's like a rash, you can't just avoid it and hope it goes away.  If you do, it spreads. It's just a matter of being smart about it. You don't want to pee-pee off the wrong people at a volatile time. Personally I doubt all that much will come of it in the middle east if South Park were to run the story. They'd get a lot of backlash within the US though. Silly really.

Middle east always been "volatile"... When do you stop?

Quote (Mr. B @ July 17 2006, 11:27 am)

Quote (Lord Dave @ July 16 2006, 10:24 pm) The middle east is a very fragile place.  Right now we, the US, are trying to get them to trust us as much as possible so that there won't be more and more people joining the fight to get america out.  A cartoon depicting Mohommed, which the muslim faith says is a big no-no, could throw the whole middle east into a fresh set of "kill the americans" thus making the whole reigon even more unstable and possibly blow up in our faces... again. It all comes down to a choice between not showing a religious figure on South Park or spirring a fresh set of blood and violence. I'm sorry but nobody has the right not to be offended, certainly not a bunch of bastard terrorists.  They already hate us, that's not fixable, even with a capitulating attitude.  The message we should (and to a signifcant degree are) be sending is "Lay a hand on any of our people and we'll f*cking annihilate you!" (See: Israel)

B, there are a great number of people in the middle east who just want to live their lives.  Those who openly hate us aren't as many as you think, they just stand out more.

Frankly I'd rather not give those who want to stay neutral a reason to get involved.

The problem is they are already involved by allowing the extremists to roam unchecked.  If these people just want to live their lives, why don't they choose a side and at least try to help end the conflict, one way or another?  By tolerating those who hate, they are allowing that hate to grow and spread.

we should punish tantrum behaviour; not reward it.  

nobody's kid* has a "right" to throw a tantrum  (or threaten one)  over a cartoon



*even if he's muslim

Quote (FaTaL eRrOr @ July 17 2006, 3:06 pm)

If these people just want to live their lives, why don't they choose a side and at least try to help end the conflict, one way or another?

Same reason you and I don't join the US military.

The problem with the thinking of a lot of people is this notion of "I have a right to say something offensive towards you, so I'm going to do it just because I can". This petty attitude helps no one, and it's quite childish really.

Quote (Wheezle @ July 17 2006, 5:02 pm)

The problem with the thinking of a lot of people is this notion of "I have a right to say something offensive towards you, so I'm going to do it just because I can". This petty attitude helps no one, and it's quite childish really.

It's a right not everyone HAS to use, like owning firearms.

If people want to, sure, they should be allowed to, because the first amendment allows that.  People may not like it, but that's the way this country is.

Quote (Lord Dave @ July 17 2006, 4:11 pm)

Quote (FaTaL eRrOr @ July 17 2006, 3:06 pm) If these people just want to live their lives, why don't they choose a side and at least try to help end the conflict, one way or another? Same reason you and I don't join the US military.

Ahh, you've got a medical condition that prevents you from serving as well.  Believe me, if they let me, I'd be over there right now.

Quote (FaTaL eRrOr @ July 18 2006, 2:01 am)

Quote (Lord Dave @ July 17 2006, 4:11 pm) Quote (FaTaL eRrOr @ July 17 2006, 3:06 pm) If these people just want to live their lives, why don't they choose a side and at least try to help end the conflict, one way or another? Same reason you and I don't join the US military. Ahh, you've got a medical condition that prevents you from serving as well.  Believe me, if they let me, I'd be over there right now.

Oh...

Then it's only the reason I don't....  

My apologies.