New L.A. gun control law proposed

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

That article is appalling. I'm surprised that sort of material is tolerated.

"If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind."

On Liberty, John Stuart Mills 1869

Privately run websites with memberships of diverse ethnicities and nationalities aren't obligated to subscribe to high principles.

Though the article is dubious enough on its own merits, it deserves unequivocal condemnation.

the peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is, that it is robbing the human race; posterity as well as the existing generation; those who dissent from the opinion, still more than those who hold it. If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth: if wrong, they lose, what is almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of truth, produced by its collision with error.

Argue with the premise, but don't silence the opinion, wrong though it may me.

Edited February 15, 2009 by Mister_Bill

[DeadPoolX 9]

That article is appalling. I'm surprised that sort of material is tolerated.

Tolerated as in the article itself or being allowed to get posted on here? Either way, the entire idea behind is to create controversy.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

How exactly would I go about silencing the opinion?

I don't have any ability to do that

Of course its not as though the poster who linked to that material offered much of an opinion on it to pursue a chain of argument. In fact, I rather suspect he didn't read it fully and just cherry picked the parts that interested him.

Either way its unclear what we are supposed to infer from it

Edited February 15, 2009 by Paul Daniels

[Heracles 417]

Over the last few years of being here I constantly see that we are bombarded with the first black this and first black that. Over the last few weeks it has been the first black president. Now it's 'Black history' month. In this scenario it's okay to differentiate based on skill color, genetics, race and culture. When it comes to sport then it's okay to say African males are more likely to be better at sport. When it comes to successful black Americans, black entrepreneur magazines, black entertainment channels then we are all for it and call it diversity. Which I don't have a problem with. It is great to see a particular demographic doing well and being part of the American dream, as everyone rightfully should be. Therefore one cay say when it comes to stating a positive achievement about black Americans, in particular, then this is not only endorsed but also encouraged.

What I do have a problem with is the second you say something negative about this one race, then all hell breaks loose and you are a racist. No ifs or butts about it. Now if this is not the joke of the century I don't know what is. Where different rules apply depending on the situation, circumstances and context.

Specifically identify black American success=

Specifically identify black American culture (in a positive way) =

Specifically identify black American athletes success =

Specifically identify black American actors success =

Specifically identify black American singers success =

Specifically identify black American entrepreneur success =

Specifically identify black American leaders =

Specifically joke "once you go black you never go back"=

Mention black Americans are more likely to be incarcerated = ignorant racist pig!

Mention black Americans are more likely to live in ghettos that are a direct result of the way they took care of the area= ignorant racist pig!

Mention black Americans are more likely to be involved in crime = ignorant racist pig!

Mention black American mothers are more likely to be single parents= ignorant racist pig!

Mention black Americans are less likely to pursue higher education = ignorant racist pig!

Mention black Americans are less likely to work with their community to assist one another = ignorant racist pig!

Mention black Americans can be just as racist as whites = ignorant racist pig!

Edited February 15, 2009 by Aficionado

[DeadPoolX 9]

How exactly would I go about silencing the opinion?

I don't have any ability to do that

Of course its not as though the poster who linked to that material offered much of an opinion on it to pursue a chain of argument. In fact, I rather suspect he didn't read it fully and just cherry picked the parts that interested him.

Either way its enclear what we are supposed to infer from it

When did I insinuate you were attempting to "silence the opinion?" You wrote "I'm surprised that sort of material is tolerated." That message could be understood a number of different ways. I was merely asking for clarification and not attacking you.

[Marilyn. 340]

I don't care if it is positive or negative, you should base your opinions on people on a person to person basis...

Edited February 15, 2009 by *Marilyn*

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Posting links to discredited racist material kinda undermines whatever legitimate point you feel you are making.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

How exactly would I go about silencing the opinion?

I don't have any ability to do that

Of course its not as though the poster who linked to that material offered much of an opinion on it to pursue a chain of argument. In fact, I rather suspect he didn't read it fully and just cherry picked the parts that interested him.

Either way its enclear what we are supposed to infer from it

It is a tough call, to make, whether to ignore a fool, or humiliate him. The problem has always been, anybody can get published, and with the advent of the internet, even more so! Do you use logic to punch holes in an arguement, to find that your opponent is immune to logic? The age of critical thinking is over, my friend!

[DeadPoolX 9]

Posting links to discredited racist material kinda undermines whatever legitimate point you feel you are making.

Are you referring to me or someone else? I don't believe I mentioned anything racist.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

How exactly would I go about silencing the opinion?

I don't have any ability to do that

Of course its not as though the poster who linked to that material offered much of an opinion on it to pursue a chain of argument. In fact, I rather suspect he didn't read it fully and just cherry picked the parts that interested him.

Either way its enclear what we are supposed to infer from it

When did I insinuate you were attempting to "silence the opinion?" You wrote "I'm surprised that sort of material is tolerated." That message could be understood a number of different ways. I was merely asking for clarification and not attacking you.

I was replying to Mr bill.

Posting links to discredited racist material kinda undermines whatever legitimate point you feel you are making.

Are you referring to me or someone else? I don't believe I mentioned anything racist.

Yes I'm referring to someone else

[Heracles 417]

I don't care if it is positive or negative, you should base your opinions on people on a person to person basis...

Different cultures are a fact of life. To pretend they do not exist is ignorant in itself. On top of that we also have the differences in class, which add another element to the equation.

Now I do understand what you are saying though. It would be wrong of anyone to stereotype an individual. Yet being raised in Australia for example, I will have cultural attributes that are nothing like those of a pom, yank or Canuck. That is part of being human. You cannot deny that and pretend that all humans have the same line of thought.

[Heracles 417]

Posting links to discredited racist material kinda undermines whatever legitimate point you feel you are making.

The day I post seeking the approval of someone like you is the day we become best mates.

[Marilyn. 340]

I don't care if it is positive or negative, you should base your opinions on people on a person to person basis...

Different cultures are a fact of life. To pretend they do not exist is ignorant in itself. On top of that we also have the differences in class, which add another element to the equation.

Now I do understand what you are saying though. It would be wrong of anyone to stereotype an individual. Yet being raised in Australia for example, I will have cultural attributes that are nothing like those of a pom, yank or Canuck. That is part of being human. You cannot deny that and pretend that all humans have the same line of thought.

yes I understand that.. but we are not really talking about cultural attributes here..

like to see a black person and think.. "oh he must be in a gang" is pure silliness..

[DeadPoolX 9]

I don't care if it is positive or negative, you should base your opinions on people on a person to person basis...

Different cultures are a fact of life. To pretend they do not exist is ignorant in itself. On top of that we also have the differences in class, which add another element to the equation.

Now I do understand what you are saying though. It would be wrong of anyone to stereotype an individual. Yet being raised in Australia for example, I will have cultural attributes that are nothing like those of a pom, yank or Canuck. That is part of being human. You cannot deny that and pretend that all humans have the same line of thought.

I see what he's saying.

Take the Israelis and Palestinians, for instance. Based on the political, military and cultural mindset of both groups, they can be extremely different in their thought processes. That doesn't mean individual Israelis or Palestinians are necessarily good or bad people. All it says is that, as a culturally defined group, they probably won't think exactly the same way; however, in a one-on-one basis, it would be wrong to assume the stereotypes that exist within anyone's culture.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I don't care if it is positive or negative, you should base your opinions on people on a person to person basis...

Different cultures are a fact of life. To pretend they do not exist is ignorant in itself. On top of that we also have the differences in class, which add another element to the equation.

Now I do understand what you are saying though. It would be wrong of anyone to stereotype an individual. Yet being raised in Australia for example, I will have cultural attributes that are nothing like those of a pom, yank or Canuck. That is part of being human. You cannot deny that and pretend that all humans have the same line of thought.

yes I understand that.. but we are not really talking about cultural attributes here..

like to see a black person and think.. "oh he must be in a gang" is pure silliness..

That's about the quality of reasoning that by applies to this topic.

Its all very well to talk about "certain cultures" but when a persons understanding of those cultures seems to come largely, if not exclusively from TV and movies there's not much on offer.