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artificialconstruct In reply to minion-for-hire [2006-12-04 20:50:00 +0000 UTC]

Thanks! But unless your definition of war is different from mine, I'd say you are at war -- there's a world-wide demographic of people that want you, me, and every other person that believes in freedom DEAD! So take care, friend!

Gabe

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minion-for-hire In reply to artificialconstruct [2006-12-05 16:40:05 +0000 UTC]

It may be that we do have different definitions of warfare. My definition of war is pretty close to that of international law: An armed conflict involving two countries and their militaries engaged in a dispute. Irish troops are not involved in offensive military operations anywhere in the world. Our soldiers are engaged in peacekeeping operations in several countries at a United nations request. No hostile troops have crossed our borders or landed on our shores. There may well be minor threats against our county, but there is no war on, and for that I am glad. There is a distinction between a threat and a war.

I am not a pacifist. I believe war is occasionally necessary to bring about change in the world. I do not believe that wars should be sought. War should and can be avoided where possible, and resolved quickly where not. Absolute pacifism works poorly, but by the same token a nation should be reluctant to raise its banner and send its young men and women off to die.

I would ask you to spell out exactly what it is you mean by "a worldwide demographic." While it might be fair to say, for example, that there are more white Irish people than black ones, it would not be fair to say either that there are no black Irishmen, nor that all whites are Irish. A similar point applies to almost any statistical comparison you would care to mention, but there may be exceptions.

I would draw your attention to a quote from Benjamin Franklin, one of your nation's most respected figures: "They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security." In many cases these days, it seems that the core freedoms of democracy are being threatened, not by outsiders who wish to hurt or destroy us, but from within: by the very people who tell us that they are protecting us.

I return the advice: take care: it is indeed a dangerous world, and sticking your head above a parapet is a evry good way of drawing fire upon yourself.

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artificialconstruct In reply to minion-for-hire [2006-12-10 07:56:44 +0000 UTC]

By "worldwide demographic," I (of course) meant Islamic extremists. I do not believe all Muslims are like that, but there are many that are. I only direct my tirade towards those that are. Long story short: I'll stick my head over the parapet if it means my troops'll live to fight another day. And as much as good ol' Ben Franklin is a respected historical figure, he is just that -- historical. I'm afraid our forefathers lived in a different time... I suspect that, were he alive now, ol' Ben would say: "Kill the motherf***ers, boys! Go get 'em!" But he's not, so there's no one to test my theory. Why waste time on supositions anyway, right? Your art rocks, that's all that matters. Politics sucks. (that's why I don't vote!)

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minion-for-hire In reply to artificialconstruct [2006-12-10 14:21:09 +0000 UTC]

I'd like to think that he might be a little more eloquent than that, but I understand (but do not fully agree with) your point. HE might well support a war: but he wouldn't be in favour of restricting the freedoms and rights of Americans for the sake of security.

One thing I would say is this: by not voting you give up your right to complain. You have to be able to answer with "I did my bit to change things" before you can complain that others did not. The politicians might be corrupt or incompetent, but the beauty of Democracy is that you don't have to vote for the same guys. Certainly it would take a major shift in votes for thigns to actually change, but you have to try before you can complain that it doesn't work.

Anyway: you're right. Lets just leave it at the art. Politics makes my head hurt, though I pay enough attention to it so I know what's going on in my world, and my country.

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artificialconstruct In reply to minion-for-hire [2006-12-16 23:51:24 +0000 UTC]

Here, here! *toasts you with his gilded goblet* F*** politics!

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