tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15483635.post112421744778471848..comments2023-11-02T09:50:39.527-04:00Comments on Hate, Hope & Human Rights: Dr. Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652880358815392918noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15483635.post-1127857462328790692005-09-27T17:44:00.000-04:002005-09-27T17:44:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15483635.post-1127850313981569022005-09-27T15:45:00.000-04:002005-09-27T15:45:00.000-04:00To Dr. D.I have no interest in promoting the ideal...To Dr. D.<BR/><BR/>I have no interest in promoting the ideals of the Ultra Christian Right nor do I want to expose how they have added to the decay of a rights protected society. Instead I would like to champion an effort whereby people become involved in various organizations that are not only dedicated to the destruction of hatred, but also to the creation of a more tolerant society. I’m sure that there are organizations that would welcome this sort attention. As I said in my past comment it is time for all of us to GET OFF OUR ARSES! It’s not good enough to talk the talk it’s now time to walk the walk. This includes you Dr. D. Perhaps you can come up with some links to organizations that advocate ideals of a multicultural society. I for one would be interested in finding out how I could become more proactive.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15483635.post-1127841087881813612005-09-27T13:11:00.000-04:002005-09-27T13:11:00.000-04:00To John K.As much as I may share some of your feel...To John K.<BR/>As much as I may share some of your feelings of frustration, I don't think that it is productive to focus on just one segment of society, like the ultra Christian right and demonize them. This blog is not intended to be used to promote hatred or demonization of one group -- whether they are homosexuals or the ultra Christian right. What would you have "us" do?Dr. Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15652880358815392918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15483635.post-1127840726548912892005-09-27T13:05:00.000-04:002005-09-27T13:05:00.000-04:00Get Off Your Arse!We pride ourselves on being a to...Get Off Your Arse!<BR/><BR/>We pride ourselves on being a tolerant and multicultural society. These values however are being quietly eroded by the culture of fear and suspicion that has been helped and promoted by those enemies that are in our midst. I’m talking about the religious ultra right. Those morons who spread hate like you and I spread soft butter on bread. I challenge all of you to start a campaign of involvement to counter this hate. Lets find out together how much we can accomplish. It is time to give a wake up call to all who are complacent and the apathetic and say “GET OFF YOUR ARSE” they must be stopped!<BR/><BR/>Use this blogg to spread your ideas of how we can get involved to help stop the hatred and create human rights 4 all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15483635.post-1127766698608126112005-09-26T16:31:00.000-04:002005-09-26T16:31:00.000-04:00Since achieving independence, most African countri...Since achieving independence, most African countries have struggled with accomplishing economic growth and development. Structural Adjustment was the answer presented by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, two western financial institutions. These organizations would like to argue that these programs helped set up Infrastructure and point developing nations in the direction of economic prosperity. However, this is not the case for most participants in the Structural Adjustment programs. These programs have sent many countries that have been helped spiraling to large amounts of debt, decreased already lacking public institutions, and increased the innabilities of providing sufficient food levels for domestic use.<BR/> The basic concept of these programs revolved around fulfilling certain requirements in order to receive loans. These requirements were based around the Neo-Classical orthodox paradigm for development, which stresses the ideas of Smith and Ricardo of free markets and comparative advantage. Ultimately this could be the problem with the Structural Adjustment Programs. Some of the requirements of the SAPs were privatization, government spending cuts, open markets, currency devaluation. If a country undertook these steps, they qualified for loans that were meant for specific economic purposes such as buidling of damns or ports. Some of the projects did lead to growth and development but only in the short-run. Interest Rates sky-rocketed and countries sank further into debt.<BR/> If one were to look at debt levels throughout the world, they, not surprisingly, would see that some of the largest indebted countries are found in Africa. Large portions of these debts were built up through loans received during the period of their Structural Adjustment Programs. Ghana, for instance, increased its national debt level from $1 billion in 1983 prior to the SAP’s, to $6 Billion in 2000. Indebtedness hinders any countries growth.<BR/> Often these high debt levels force the countries to put a good portion of their GDP towards their repayment. According to The Globalization of Poverty, “In 1997 Zimbabwe was spending seven times more on debt servicing than on health and education.” This money is greatly needed for reinvestment in the economy, or in public institutions in order to help stimulate more growth. This process of indebtedness has been curbed for several countries with the support of debt relief by the G8, and hopefully will continue to relieve others.<BR/> There is also an enormous population of undernourished people found in Africa. People are going hungry in many of these countries, yet they still export food fat very loq prices. The emphasis for an open market and exporting of “cash crops” has contributed to the increasing number of undernourished people. Tanzania, for instance, has grown its number of exports and GDP over the past ten years, but the number of undernourished people has increased from 37% to 44% in 1992 and 2002. If structural adjustment did not promote exporting these foods, they may have been used domestically for the starving population. One could argue there is no incentive for the increase in production without money, but I think having enough food for a starving population is incentive.<BR/> Government spending was also a point in which Structural Adjustment damaged the future of many of these countries. The programs required the countries to cut government spending as much as possible. This led to large cuts in education and health care, as stated earlier, in the case of Zimbabwe, which they had spent seven times more on debt servicing than health care and education. It is very obvious these are not in favor of development and growth. As a result of these cuts, according to the Human Development report, Zimbabwe has one of the highest prevalence of HIV, Malaria cases, and tuberculosis in the world. Money needs to be redirected from debt servicing to health-care sectors if it is not already too late for that.<BR/> These programs have done far worse than good. Yes, SOME infrastructure was built with the SAPs, but many countries are faced with even more problems now than they did before the programs. It leads one to question the need for an economy based on free markets and comparative advantage. Debt forgiveness is a good start to helping these countries, but that does not reverse the damage already done. The money must be invested into the economy and into public institutions, such as schools and hospitals. Policies must be changed away from those inherent in the Structural Adjustment requirements.<BR/><BR/>Additional Web-sites about Atructural Adjustment:<BR/><BR/>Globalization of Poverty<BR/>http://www.doublestandards.org/sap1.html<BR/><BR/>How Structural Adjustment Worsens Poverty<BR/>http://www.essentialaction.org/imf/saps.htmAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15483635.post-1127765615243217642005-09-26T16:13:00.000-04:002005-09-26T16:13:00.000-04:00Hitler, Nazis, Germans, soldiers, citizens, men, w...Hitler, Nazis, Germans, soldiers, citizens, men, women, children. During any time of war, hardship or destruction there is always a race to find those responsible. The constant need to put the blame on someone or a group helps us to feel better about what happened. While Hitler's dream of annihilating those who did not fit into the “Aryan race,” his objective to completely eradicate Jews, is something so unthinkable that many could not even believe it true, we cannot lose sight of the other factors that may have played into the loyalty to the Nazi party. <BR/><BR/>Nazi, in fact, stems from the word National. From a direct interpretation, one may possibly assume that all Germans were Nazis, in one way or another. In turn, it might be presumed that, by joining Hitler, those Germans directly aided the situation, or even, by not stopping him, the circumstances were not being helped either. This is the easy way out, a simple method of pushing aside blame in order to concentrate on the complete and utter devastation.<BR/><BR/>Having lost most of my relatives as a result of Hitler's goal of extermination, hearing the stories first hand, meeting with victims and seeing the unthinkable horror through video and pictures, it seems easy enough to simply place the blame on all Germans. While I am not, by any means, making light of this tragic historical event, I am trying to think objectively, pushing aside any personal feelings I might have. Though it sounds cliché, when you point your finger at someone, there are three more fingers pointing back at you. So, can you honestly blame someone merely because of his or her nationality?<BR/><BR/>What about those Germans who helped the Jews, those who were killed in trying to assist anyone they could in escaping their death. Most people look to Oscar Schindler, as an example, a German businessman who became famed for his aid in saving approximately 1,200 Jews in escaping their horrific fate, but seem to forget the countless Germans who were never named in their selfless acts of support. Even if a German did not risk their lives to help others, but also did nothing to aid the Nazi party in any way; should they be held accountable also? Finally, what about those soldiers, blind to the gassing and torture, held ignorant of the concentration camps; are they blameworthy?<BR/><BR/>If we are to blame someone according to their nationality, it is then, that we see those three fingers pointing back at us. We must then blame all white Americans for slavery in America, and all Americans for the Japanese interment camps. Not forgetting the massacre of those natives who were here, in America, first. <BR/><BR/>If we choose to only place blame on some Germans and not others, would there then be degrees of blame? Eichmann giving orders from behind a desk, Hitler the creator of this monster event, soldiers nowhere held ignorant to concentration camps but still a part of the Nazi party and Hitler youth, and those who carried out the gassing, torture, etc…what forms of punishment and what level of blame is to be place on who? Straying from Germany, what about other nations that did not lend a hand, or if they did, they waited until Hitler was already out of control?<BR/><BR/>Not living through this horrific butchery, I don't see how anyone can make these decisions. Throughout history, since the Holocaust, there have been studies to try and figure out why people, ordinary citizens, executed these acts of repulsion and horror. Through Stanley Miligrams' experiment, we learned that the common man can easily succumb to blind obedience to authority, without consciously realizing how destructive they are being. Through social pressures and propaganda many Germans were forced into something they wouldn't normally be a part of; partaking in acts that either directly or indirectly aided Hitler and his plan. We must not close our eyes to these facts, thus it only seems just that we learn from mistakes of the past, rather than placing the blame on an entire nation of people. Browning, whose ideas seem to agree with Miligram states that, “ordinary men can murder under social pressure.” Unless in the exact situation that each and ever German was in, it does not seem fair to assume one will know exactly how they would act. <BR/><BR/>Through stigmatization and labels, we are merely dehumanizing an entire nation of people. Stripping them of their individuality, while not in such a disgustingly violent way, but psychologically with a similar intent to create the notion that, all members of that group are but one mind and soul. Mr. Schultz reinforced the reality that Hitler played on the insecurities of a country in a severe depression. His charisma and the German people's need for a leader fit together perfectly; each piece in the reality of this time period in Germany fit directly into Hitlers' plot. It only seems fair to place blame on those who have some sort of choice or control. While consequences were severe, there is still a choice in every action. We cannot simply blame all Germans, nor can we ignore those who could have stepped in earlier, but didn't. It seems it is only those who had some form of strength to influence, both in promoting this extermination or having the ability to make a difference and didn't, those are the ones to blame.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15483635.post-1127763012394495752005-09-26T15:30:00.000-04:002005-09-26T15:30:00.000-04:00Are we all so dissimilar? Throughout the past few ...Are we all so dissimilar? Throughout the past few centuries, people have sought to find differences in people to justify systematic exclusionary practices, or to remove guilt from the human race at large. By noting that there is something inherently different about a certain set of people, the Germans, is convenient at best, and cowardly at worst. By blaming atrocities on the other, we mentally absolve ourselves of guilt. In an increasingly global community, this excuse is a tired one. To say that the German people in the first half of the 20th century were intrinsically dissimilar from others in their capabilities for evil is disgraceful. To fully talk about who was responsible for the holocaust, we need to discuss those that were informed of what was happening, German, French, Russian, American, or otherwise. <BR/><BR/>To clarify my point I would like to use the example of the Throm family of Heidelberg, Germany. The seven Throm siblings were all highly educated, upper class, professional, deeply religious, Christian Germans. They were the type of citizen that Hitler exalted as the core and future of the German people. When they learned through friends, family, and neighbors of how the Nazi party was subjugating and abusing the Jewish population of Germany in the build up to the Holocaust, they were shocked. The six brothers mobilized and began smuggling Jews out of Germany, using their family’s resources, to America and other European nations. They succeeded in saving scores of Jewish lives from the wrath of genocide. Ultimately, their actions were discovered, and five of the brothers were sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp, and the sixth was enlisted in the German Army and sent to Siberia. These brothers were objectors to the doings of the Nazi party, and put their lives at stake to save others. Their only surviving sibling was my grandmother, Maria Throm. While this is one example, many other Germans put themselves in harm’s way to save others. In contrast, world leaders of the time, with full knowledge of what the Nazi party was doing and many more resources at their disposal, stood by and did nothing. <BR/><BR/>Throughout the time building up to the events during WW2, leaders of many western nations were aware of a mounting assault on the daily lives of German Jews, and the problematic dictatorship of Adolph Hitler. Hannah Arendt’s theory of the “banality of evil” applies to these leaders as well as the ordinary Germans that got caught up in the nationalistic frenzy leading up to WW2. Although many foreign leaders were aware of what was going on, they only became involved when it was politically expedient for them to do so (i.e.: America entering the war after Pearl Harbor. America never actually declared war on Germany. America declared war on Japan, and by default engaged with Germany.). The people being maligned and slaughtered were never a concern enough to warrant one of the most powerful nations in the world to take action. Perhaps this self-preservation is a “natural” response for human beings. That being said, how can we hold ordinary Germans to standards that we outsiders do not hold ourselves to?<BR/><BR/>Goldhagen argues that there is an “eliminationist anti-Semitism” element inherent in German society, and this factor alone under the guidance of Adolph Hitler, brought 6 million European Jews to death. His assertions are weak in that he does not account for; the 6-7 million non-Jewish Soviet Citizens (including Ukrainians, Bela-Russians, and Russians), 3.3 million Soviet P.O.W.’s, 3 million non-Jewish, highly-educated Poles, ¼ of Europe’s Roma population, and the German “asocials” – people with birth defects, unusual physiques, and homosexuals who were also killed by Hitler. Where was the incentive inherent in German society to slaughter their neighbors, friends and family? Clearly, it is not possible to separate the German population as historically itching to do away with Jews. <BR/><BR/>Noted as an extremely compelling and powerful speaker, Adolph Hitler drew upon the insecurities of the German public to garner support for his agenda. As Mr. Scholtz, the former German soldier who spoke in class, noted, Hitler’s political agenda strengthened the nation’s infrastructure, economy, and resolve. Through his leadership, a susceptible German public followed Hitler’s word in a time of destitution following the Versailles treaty, which left a formerly powerful nation as a shell of what it once was. The German people looked for a cause and leader to rally around, and Hitler provided that. Many people involved in the national front were not fully aware of what was happening to many of Hitler’s ‘undesirables.’ How then, can we blame each and every German? Those people (individuals, groups, nations) who have knowledge of events, and the power to make change are the people that are ultimately responsible.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15483635.post-1127700308333740212005-09-25T22:05:00.000-04:002005-09-25T22:05:00.000-04:00To Dr.D: I think American soldiers torturing priso...To Dr.D: I think American soldiers torturing prisoners is unacceptable and they must be put to trial. It is unacceptable that despite having found no "weapons of mass destruction" the United States is still wrecking havoc in Iraq and mistreating prisoners is such a way. These soldiers represent America and their behavior must be appropriately dealt with. It would certainly reflect extremely poorly on the United States if these soldiers were not held accountable. The more I learn, the more I realize that in the world we have created all that matters is to protect oneself and fullfill ones desires. If we emphazised the collective good a little more maybe such atrocities would not occur. I wonder if that is even possible? <BR/><BR/><BR/>If you put yourself in the shoes of someone from the third world, what impression would you have of America? What would you think about the people who ran this country? And what about the people who live there? Generalizations and stereotypes, however harmful they are, are prevelant in everyone's minds. It does not take a stretch of imagination to think what perception the rest of the world has about the United States today. While I have met plenty of great people in this country and do not subcribe to the view I cited above, fact remains that the government of this country (which is supposed to represent this population) is making costly decisions and people are paying for these decision with their lives.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15483635.post-1127609578041519582005-09-24T20:52:00.000-04:002005-09-24T20:52:00.000-04:00I question the conception that many of you, especi...I question the conception that many of you, especially Madmax, have of Christianity. For one, there are many different types of Christianity. Being a Catholic myself, I can only speak for my particular sect of Christianity. Also, please recognize that it’s impossible to explain the complexity of Catholicism, religion, and current politics in a blog entry, so I’m going to undoubtedly do a bad job.<BR/><BR/>Yes, Catholics tend to believe that homosexuality is a sin, but we also believe that we cannot just call homosexuals “evil people” and leave it at that. The Catholic faith teaches us to not live of this world, but rather to give up ourselves to God. A lot of people follow this teaching both because they believe there is something bigger than themselves but also sometimes because they want to get into Heaven. Part of living for God is to stay away from worldly things, such as idolization of material goods (greed), promiscuity, hatred, or want. There is a reasonably justifiable stereotype that homosexuality, birth control, and abortion all lead to promiscuity (yes, I’m aware that there are plenty of exceptions but this stereotype does hold true for at least a large percentage of the time). All of these we believe are crimes against God, because it we don’t think it was part of God’s design. But it’s extremely un-Catholic to go out and condemn the man that does any of these things (the whole judge not lest ye be judged thing). Catholics believe that everyone (including themselves) is a sinner, so how can we say that we’re any “better” or “holier” than anybody else. We can’t, and generally we don’t. And if you ever see a Catholic who does, it’s either because he’s not following the teachings, or he was never actually taught them (the Church has generally done a bad job in teaching true Catholicism on a large scale in the last century).<BR/><BR/>Most of anti-homosexual rhetoric that comes from the “religious right” actually comes from televangelists. A very large percentage of televangelists, however, are essentially frauds (though many, like Billy Graham, are not). Televangelists like Benny Hinn (whose “ministry” brings in $150 million dollars a year), Paul and Jan Crouch (who own Trinity Broadcasting Network, the largest broadcasting system in the world), Kenneth Copeland, James Ewing (who owns a “church” that uses U.S. Census data to send mailings that ask for donations to the poorest neighborhoods in), the infamous Robert Tilton, and Mike Murdock all own multi-million dollars mansions, have at least one private jet, and take in personal benefits totaling millions of dollars a year. The fact that they pay for all this using “church” donations shows you the kind of people that they are – living luxurious lives using money given to them by the poorest of the poor. And they are the ones fueling the anti-homosexual policies of the United States. Remember that whole Sponge-Bob is gay thing? Televangelist James Dobson came up with that and then all the televangelists joined in on the idea because it increased the number of donations that they were receiving. The legitimate institutions like the Catholic, Methodist, and Lutheran Churches may view homosexuality as a sin, but they strongly discourage any type of attack, violent or verbal, against homosexuals. Again, “judge not lest ye be judged.” <BR/><BR/><BR/>Oh, and by the way. God destroyed Sodom not because there were homosexuals there, but rather because everybody there cared more about the things that they owned than they cared about each other. He attacked the greed that all (emphasis on the “all”) of the citizens had. If sins could be rated (as Dante attempted to do), greed is actually worse than sodomy. Just an interesting thought…<BR/><BR/>Again, I apologize for the incoherency of this entry. If any of you would like me to explain further on anything I said here, just let me know. Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15483635.post-1127582167056721072005-09-24T13:16:00.000-04:002005-09-24T13:16:00.000-04:00I'd like to say a few things.Madmax, You do have t...I'd like to say a few things.<BR/><BR/>Madmax, <BR/><BR/>You do have the right to express your thoughts about homosexuals and any other issue that you wish for that matter. What disgusts me is how you are saying your thoughts. None of us will neccessarily fire back at you for your opinions, even though some of us, including myself, strongly disagree with you, but it's the way for which you are saying your thoughts that, I think, is unexceptable. Stay in the conversation if you must, but stop distorting our's with your immature expressions of thought through hatred.<BR/><BR/>Dr. d, <BR/><BR/>In response to your last posting. I think that each individual soldier should be held accountable for what they did if they were doing it out of boredem. Boredem "play" is not proper professional conduct. I don't agree with any means of torture or humiliation and those who participated in it, even if it was government issued should be punished, even at the top of the leadership chain. If we, the US, want to try and justify ourselves as being there, Iraq, to "fight terrorism" we MUST maintain a sense of higher repect for human life. It seems hipocritical to me for us to say that we are fighting those who disrespect life when we turn around and humiliate/disrespect the lives of others. The people responsible should be punished, even the "high power" people in government who mandated such treatment.<BR/><BR/>I don't think that all German's were responsible for the Holocaust. I think that all military members where. Even if some of them thought it was wrong, if they participated in it on someone elses orders they are still responsible. No matter how trained someone is to think otherwise about human life, we are all still humans, not machines. That being said, all German military personel that didn't withdraw their military status upon learning about the holocaust autrocities should be held responsible.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15483635.post-1127580460879385722005-09-24T12:47:00.000-04:002005-09-24T12:47:00.000-04:00As a group, we've discussed whether humans are "pr...As a group, we've discussed whether humans are "programed" to commit human rights abuses or to more generally "hate". I wonder, given "Mad-Max's" comments, why he seems to hate homosexuals? Was he programed that way-- taught, socialized, had an experience that made him hate homosexuals? With the recent decision by the Catholic Church to ban homosexuals from the priesthood, are they sending a message to Americans -- to the world -- that it is okay to discriminate againsts homosexuals?<BR/><BR/>Whatever the case, I want to address another issue that is now very topical, and relevant to our previous discussions. A new report about detainee abuse in Iraq has just surfaced -- suggesting that US soldiers were encouraged to torture and abuse prisoners. How does this fit into Zimbardo's prison studies? One US soldier documents in a recent washingtonpost article, "Some days we would just get bored so we would have everyone sit in a corner and then make them get in a pyramid"... "We did that for amusement"... Were soldiers just responding to the situation? Shoudl individual soldiers be held accountable for their actions?<BR/>Which brings us, finally, to this weeks student contributions on the question of whether all Germans were responsible for the Holocaust. It happened a long time ago, but it is still hauntingly familiar....Dr. Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15652880358815392918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15483635.post-1127504398460450082005-09-23T15:39:00.000-04:002005-09-23T15:39:00.000-04:00madmaxfreedom of speech exists but not in terms of...madmax<BR/><BR/>freedom of speech exists but not in terms of bringing others down!!! and i agree with Dr D - you call yourself a christian but you are full of hatred and christianity does not support hatred. you need to open up your eyes - you are too ignorant to be commenting on a human rights blog when you are preventing others from expressing their sexuality and identity. and you comment on what others intials stand for - look at yourself - MADMAX - i think that it tells us something about your character. and how dare you judge people and have the odassety to call yourself an individual who beleives in human rights - the last time i checked, human rights accepted people as who they are - not hate them for having relations with the same sex!!!<BR/>for gods sake open up your mind!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15483635.post-1127503933579721522005-09-23T15:32:00.000-04:002005-09-23T15:32:00.000-04:00Mad Max:There is a difference between free speech ...Mad Max:<BR/>There is a difference between free speech and hate speech. Yes, you do have the freedom to express your opinions -- no one is denying you that right -- but if you are so appaled by what is being said on this blog about homosexuals, then maybe you should exercise your free rights and stop reading it!<BR/>I may be from Canada, but I chose to come to the United States. Having said that, I am proud of my native land because they have in fact recognized that homosexuals are equal to heterosexuals and that they should have equal civil rights (these are not special rights) Who has the greater freedom?Dr. Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15652880358815392918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15483635.post-1127503312107889762005-09-23T15:21:00.000-04:002005-09-23T15:21:00.000-04:00To Dr. D.Gee, I wonder what the “D” stands for. H...To Dr. D.<BR/><BR/>Gee, I wonder what the “D” stands for. Here are some guesses; Disturbed, Disoriented, Disorganized, and so on……………..<BR/>What I really want to say to you Dr. D is that you are wrong to say that by virtue of the fact that I believe homosexuality to be immoral I am a hate monger and don’t believe in human rights. I in fact do believe in human rights. For example I believe that I have the right to feel that homosexuality is wrong and I do have the right to express this. I think that you have spent too much time working on third world countries, or perhaps living in Canada, and have forgotten that freedom of speech actually exists in this great country.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15483635.post-1127500038312270842005-09-23T14:27:00.000-04:002005-09-23T14:27:00.000-04:00To MadMax:I don't know who you, or who you think y...To MadMax:<BR/><BR/>I don't know who you, or who you think you are -- but I think you are an S.O.B. How dare you put down someone else because they are different from you. And how dare you call yourself a Christian. Last time I checked, hatred was not a Christian value. You are a hateful, myopic, excuse for a human being. I think it's ironic that you would even dare put a comment on a web-blog titled, Human rights 4 all -- when you certainly do not believe in human rights at all -- if you did, you would be more respectful to your fellow human beings.Dr. Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15652880358815392918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15483635.post-1127497751579676132005-09-23T13:49:00.000-04:002005-09-23T13:49:00.000-04:00To S. AdamsI can’t believe that you expect me to b...To S. Adams<BR/><BR/>I can’t believe that you expect me to buy your nonsense that being an out of the closet gay person makes you a hero. That somehow you have miraculously jumped from you closet with your tights and cape and became Super Queer! The last time I saw a Gay Pride Parade there were a lot of men in tights but not a single super hero. I absolutely believe that you are an abomination to everyone who has the misfortune of being related to you. You are an embarrassment to them. You engage in practices that are immoral and inconsistent with a positive Christian life style. And HELL NO you are not entitled to any special rights, if fact I question the rights you currently have. You, and others like you have created a burden on our society with the cost of treating the Aids virus. Your culture of promiscuity and excessive drinking was documented thousands of years ago. Do you remember Sodom and Gomorrah? Didn’t God destroy it? You may think that you are a hero but I think you’re a zero!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15483635.post-1127411396930864972005-09-22T13:49:00.000-04:002005-09-22T13:49:00.000-04:00Iren Akyuz:Inspiring thought and quote.It's true, ...Iren Akyuz:<BR/><BR/>Inspiring thought and quote.It's true, if we all focused a little bit of our efforts and time on the problems that are within our power to fix, we'd be in a lot better situation socially.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15483635.post-1127411083459817302005-09-22T13:44:00.000-04:002005-09-22T13:44:00.000-04:00S. Adams:I respect those who go up against the nor...S. Adams:<BR/><BR/>I respect those who go up against the norm in situations that are so contraversial. Now days, it seems like it's harder and harder to voice opinions without strong backlash. The US used to pride itself with the idea of being free to speak and act out willingly as an individual. Now, it seems to be regressing. I too admire your honesty.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15483635.post-1127410604705724642005-09-22T13:36:00.000-04:002005-09-22T13:36:00.000-04:00Zahra,I agree with you entirely.Zahra,<BR/><BR/>I agree with you entirely.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15483635.post-1127353895786888232005-09-21T21:51:00.000-04:002005-09-21T21:51:00.000-04:00To S. Adams:I must say I'm relieved to find out th...To S. Adams:<BR/><BR/>I must say I'm relieved to find out that there are people like you who are not afraid to stand up for their beliefs, and willing to defend themselves no matter the circumstances. It is important not to say, "that's just another ignorant person and I won't be able to change his/her belief" and try to stand your ground in a respectable manner. And therefore, yes, I think you are a hero because a hero is not necessarily someone who fights physically, but someone who defends a cause with courage and strength.<BR/><BR/>And now for everyone else who is reading this:<BR/><BR/>I think that should be a lesson for all, because I know that every single one of us feels bad when they watch a movie about the sufferings of African children, or people being criticized and harassed because of their personal choices...but unfortunately feeling bad doesn't make the smallest difference in those people lives unless we do something about it. We're not talking about unpreventable, natural disasters that we cannot stop, but rather problems that we can help solve with reasonable resources and time. I do not want to sound like I'm spending my whole time working for human rights issues, this is a criticism for all especially for myself that i've come to realize, that if anyone reading this website made one small effort, it would be worth a lot. I guess I got a little carried away, but everytime I begin to lose hope, I see someone that hasn't, and that makes me believe it is still possible to make a difference.<BR/><BR/>I would like to finish my comment with a quote that I think madmax should ponder upon:<BR/>"When the dust settles and the pages of history are written, it will not be the angry defenders of intolerance who have made the difference. That reward will go to those who dared to step outside the safety of their privacy in order to expose and route the prevailing prejudices." Bishop John Shelby SpongAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15483635.post-1127352932311421282005-09-21T21:35:00.000-04:002005-09-21T21:35:00.000-04:00matt colipi do not favor the us exporting democrac...matt colip<BR/><BR/>i do not favor the us exporting democracy in countries that are not ready for it. i definatly do not think that africa is ready for democracy since it lacks the pre requisites such as literacy, good economic base and general standard of living. one big problem for africa is corruption which is another reason as to why africa is not ready for a democracy since majority of the countries lack free and fair elections. on the other hand, if a country does not want democracy, and for a legitimate reason then the US should understand that. i feel that there are countries around the world that are not democracies but are functioning well whereby citizens do have their civil liberties and political rights. i do not agree with the US exporting its values because sometimes american values cannot be anothers values.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15483635.post-1127318516116427092005-09-21T12:01:00.000-04:002005-09-21T12:01:00.000-04:00To S. Adams:I commend you for your honesty and you...To S. Adams:<BR/>I commend you for your honesty and your willingness to comment on our blog. <BR/>It's important to have a voice of reason and tolerance from outside -- not just the intolerant, sometimes ignorant comments of individuals who do not embrace diversity and the humanity of all.Dr. Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15652880358815392918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15483635.post-1127313314386114462005-09-21T10:35:00.000-04:002005-09-21T10:35:00.000-04:00I happened on this site and I should tell you that...I happened on this site and I should tell you that I am not a student at F&M so forgive me for my lack of eloquence. I am however a citizen who believes in human rights for all. Many of the comments I found to be bright and refreshing others I found to be unfortunate in that they seem to perpetuate hatred toward gays. To answer the question that I’m sure is burning in your minds yes I am gay. <BR/>I am a gay citizen who is trying to fight a battle against twisted perversion that tries to demonize gays. We have all seen how Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson have destroyed themselves by their hatred in this movement. They are the Religious Ultra-Right, and they would love to wipe gay people from the face of the earth. They try to pretend that gays serve no purpose on this earth and have never made contributions to humankind and that there are no gay heroes. They try to forget the bravery that was shown by Mark Bingham, one of the men who, in all likelihood, wrestled a plane to the ground in a field in western Pennsylvania. <BR/>Then there was the gay priest who worked for the New York fire department. This man gave his life while helping those in the World Trade Center. The valor he showed that day paled in comparison to the courage it took to serve the Catholic Church as an openly gay man. And so you see gay people do have their heroes and you will probably never hear about them. Our heroes are those who support the war against hatred and take pride in their patriotism. The ones who can stand up and say yes I am gay and I expect to have every right that heterosexuals are entitled to. I will fight the maniacs who despise us, that loathe our diversity and have contempt for our culture. There is no question, no backing down. I will defeat the messengers of hate and a brighter day will prevail for all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15483635.post-1127242197299840552005-09-20T14:49:00.000-04:002005-09-20T14:49:00.000-04:00Zahra,My last question to you was a little vague. ...Zahra,<BR/><BR/>My last question to you was a little vague. I guess what I was trying to ask was that there are people who think that the US is the supreme and only way to model a success story. I personally feel this thought to be untrue, but we all have our own opinions. I was trying to ask whether or not you felt that if indeed we put forth a "real" effort to help African nations if you think we should make them all multi-democraticies based off of capitalism like ourselves, even if, in some hypothetical situation a nation didn't want to be a democracy. I ask because it seems like the US is only interested in spreading our specific ideals such as in Iraq. We are trying to make Iraq follow the same basic roots of democracy as we follow. Do you think we should help nations that don't want to follow our model of governance?<BR/><BR/>This question is a little far fetched. I hope it's a little clearer this time around.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15483635.post-1127189400374136242005-09-20T00:10:00.000-04:002005-09-20T00:10:00.000-04:00To MadmaxSo you said that you don't want your chil...To Madmax<BR/><BR/>So you said that you don't want your children to be in the company of sinners...just a quick question, have you ever masturbated? Because technically, that is a sin. Thanks<BR/><BR/>P.S. Wait Jesus...have you come back to rescue us!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com