I'm supposed to believe

[Together4ever 1]

No weirder then you're not understanding... it's called opinion and we all have them. There is much more to America then the government. (Thank God)

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I understand it's "freedom of expression"...and that's fine by me...I just find it amusing that someone who believes negative things about the US government, so strongly (to the point of "expressing it" on a message board), would want their partner coming to a place where they so strongly hate the government....to go to so much trouble to get your partner into a place where you don't like the government...odd....

What if you hate the government of your own country too, should you just shut up about it?

Out of sight, out of mind and all that.

[Veiled Princess 1]

I understand it's "freedom of expression"...and that's fine by me...I just find it amusing that someone who believes negative things about the US government, so strongly (to the point of "expressing it" on a message board), would want their partner coming to a place where they so strongly hate the government....to go to so much trouble to get your partner into a place where you don't like the government...odd....

Hmmm... that is the great thing about this country... we don't have to agree with or like the governement... those regimes that we don't like, we can just vote out or wait until their time is up and vote better next time I wouldn't expect you to understand that though since everyone who is not a 'righteous' bush supporter must be a traitor and silenced.

Why not throw brother Dean in Gitmo?

[*Robert* 2]

I understand it's "freedom of expression"...and that's fine by me...I just find it amusing that someone who believes negative things about the US government, so strongly (to the point of "expressing it" on a message board), would want their partner coming to a place where they so strongly hate the government....to go to so much trouble to get your partner into a place where you don't like the government...odd....

Hey, its not like he wrote all that!!! He just cut and pasted it....

VJ sheesh!!!

No weirder then you're not understanding... it's called opinion and we all have them. There is much more to America then the government. (Thank God)

DUH!!!! Guess you don't understand sarcasim?!

Yeah, opinions are like azzholes... everyone has one, and they all stink!!!

[Mirorgate 0]

I understand it's "freedom of expression"...and that's fine by me...I just find it amusing that someone who believes negative things about the US government, so strongly (to the point of "expressing it" on a message board), would want their partner coming to a place where they so strongly hate the government....to go to so much trouble to get your partner into a place where you don't like the government...odd....

Actually the founding fathers of this nation also disagreed with the governing body of the time, and expressed their point of view as well. That is a liberty and freedom that we should all enjoy.. as long as it is constructive criticism, or questioning to come to a truth in governance. Here we get to vote to express our opinions and make a difference in the type and form of government that we currently have. unfortunately... things are/have started to change that are not good, and I am not sure if we can reverse such things for our children and grand children to enjoy some of the things that we did when we were growing up. government guidance v government control for one.

[keltic 1]

ALMATY-- If you hate the U.S. government and current administration so much, why not move to Kazakistan? I'm sure things are muuuuuuuuch better there ....why go through all this visa stuff for your partner to move to a place in which you think so lowly of the administration?

you can love your country and not like the president/leader... it IS allowed here... why is it so hard for some folks to understand that there is a difference between the two? bush does NOT equal america... america was around long before he was... and thrived quite nicely thru most of that time... america will still be around after hes gone, if he doesnt succeed in pissing off enough other countries enough to blow us off the map

and, its not about whether its better there than here... its about continually striving to make THIS country better... there is always room for improvement

brother dean is free to believe as he likes and express it as he sees fit within the confines of the law... which he has done... just like others express their dislike of clinton or carter or anyone else... at least he cares enough to express his opinion... and, ill bet, he votes... unlike half of the registered voters in this country

i, for one, am proud to be an american... does that mean that i have like our current adminstration? NOPE... does that make me unpatriotic? NOPE... it means that i will do what i can to change it... its my right... and in november, i will exercise it...

Edited August 29, 2006 by keltic

[*Robert* 2]

ALMATY-- If you hate the U.S. government and current administration so much, why not move to Kazakistan? I'm sure things are muuuuuuuuch better there ....why go through all this visa stuff for your partner to move to a place in which you think so lowly of the administration?

you can love your country and not like the president/leader... it IS allowed here... why is it so hard for some folks to understand that there is a difference between the two? bush does NOT equal america... america was around long before he was... and thrived quite nicely thru most of that time... america will still be around after hes gone, if he doesnt succeed in pissing off enough other countries enough to blow us off the map

and, its not about whether its better there than here... its about continually striving to make THIS country better... there is always room for improvement

brother dean is free to believe as he likes and express it as he sees fit within the confines of the law... which he has done... just like others express their dislike of clinton or carter or anyone else... at least he cares enough to express his opinion... and, ill bet, he votes... unlike half of the registered voters in this country

i, for one, am proud to be an american... does that mean that i have like our current adminstration? NOPE... does that make me unpatriotic? NOPE... it means that i will do what i can to change it... its my right... and in november, i will exercise it...

(I need an applause smiley!!! )

[Heracles 417]

you can love your country and not like the president/leader... it IS allowed here... why is it so hard for some folks to understand that there is a difference between the two? bush does NOT equal america... america was around long before he was... and thrived quite nicely thru most of that time... america will still be around after hes gone, if he doesnt succeed in pissing off enough other countries enough to blow us off the map

Sure enough. Disagreeing with bush and his policies is one's opinion but someone shouldn't have the right to go around bashing the country and then turn around and use the 1st amendment as an excuse..

Most people who do that should move to other '1st world' countries where they will find that this sort of behaviour is not tolerated.

Agree / disagree - that is what freedom of speech should represent

bash the country you live in - anyone in this category should simply move..

I can't stress this simple concept enough.. Hate the country, then move elsewhere..

Edited August 29, 2006 by Infidel

[Veiled Princess 1]

ALMATY-- If you hate the U.S. government and current administration so much, why not move to Kazakistan? I'm sure things are muuuuuuuuch better there ....why go through all this visa stuff for your partner to move to a place in which you think so lowly of the administration?

you can love your country and not like the president/leader... it IS allowed here... why is it so hard for some folks to understand that there is a difference between the two? bush does NOT equal america... america was around long before he was... and thrived quite nicely thru most of that time... america will still be around after hes gone, if he doesnt succeed in pissing off enough other countries enough to blow us off the map

and, its not about whether its better there than here... its about continually striving to make THIS country better... there is always room for improvement

brother dean is free to believe as he likes and express it as he sees fit within the confines of the law... which he has done... just like others express their dislike of clinton or carter or anyone else... at least he cares enough to express his opinion... and, ill bet, he votes... unlike half of the registered voters in this country

i, for one, am proud to be an american... does that mean that i have like our current adminstration? NOPE... does that make me unpatriotic? NOPE... it means that i will do what i can to change it... its my right... and in november, i will exercise it...

(I need an applause smiley!!! )

[Heracles 417]

What really cracks me up is how numerous anti-bush, republican etc have partners that come from 2nd of 3rd world nations where they would would probably be beaten up if they ranted the same ###### about that country, in that country..

Edited August 29, 2006 by Infidel

[Veiled Princess 1]

you can love your country and not like the president/leader... it IS allowed here... why is it so hard for some folks to understand that there is a difference between the two? bush does NOT equal america... america was around long before he was... and thrived quite nicely thru most of that time... america will still be around after hes gone, if he doesnt succeed in pissing off enough other countries enough to blow us off the map

Sure enough. Disagreeing with bush and his policies is one's opinion but someone shouldn't have the right to go around bashing the country and then turn around and use the 1st amendment as an excuse..

Most people who do that should move to other '1st world' countries where they will find that this sort of behaviour is not tolerated.

Agree / disagree - that is what freedom of speech should represent

bash the country you live in - anyone in this category should simply move..

I can't stress this simple concept enough.. Hate the country, then move elsewhere..

Ah but just because one hates the occupying force does not mean they hate the country

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Sure enough. Disagreeing with bush and his policies is one's opinion but someone shouldn't have the right to go around bashing the country and then turn around and use the 1st amendment as an excuse..

Most people who do that should move to other '1st world' countries where they will find that this sort of behaviour is not tolerated.

Agree / disagree - that is what freedom of speech should represent

bash the country you live in - anyone in this category should simply move..

I can't stress this simple concept enough.. Hate the country, then move elsewhere..

1) There's nothing in the national constitution or other tacit legislation that requires a person to 'love' their country of birth or residence. Just because I was born in Britain, doesn't preclude me from saying that the country is, in many ways, irretrievably broken.

Similarly that doesn't preclude me from appreciating British cultural history.

All I would say is that in order to speak with any authority on a particular place, it pays to have actually lived there for some period of time or else had some other direct experience. That's not really the same as visiting the NYC for a one week shopping trip, coming back and telling all your friends that Americans are "fat and stupid" and "its a nice place to visit, but you wouldn't want to live there".

2) Attacking the government does not constitute "bashing the country". A lot of people it seems can't understand that distinction - or indeed what actually constitutes "nation bashing".

Edited August 29, 2006 by erekose

[Heracles 417]

Ah but just because one hates the occupying force does not mean they hate the country

Don't you guys realize that this attitude will never get anybody anywhere..

Ok Dems win, now what.. The republicans use the same tactics as the democrats and start a hate campaign. Who wins?? nobody..

For advocates against the war you seem to start quite a few of them yourselves.. but I guess that is different. I bet anti-bush supporters had no problem with the US bombing Serbia in the 90's because billy boy authorized the bombing..

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

For advocates against the war you seem to start quite a few of them yourselves.. but I guess that is different. I bet anti-bush supporters had no problem with the US bombing Serbia in the 90's because billy boy authorized the bombing..

Different situation, to be fair. Clinton was humiliated by not raising a finger to do anything about the Rwandan genocide (for which he was rightly criticised after it emerged that his administration had grossly underestimated what was going on, and were in fact, largely oblivious to it). Which if you're looking for a criticism of his presidency is a far worthier one than a cigar and a tart in a blue dress.

Edited August 29, 2006 by erekose

[gimygirl 0]