tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806884.post1481040815313335883..comments2023-10-31T03:18:26.963-07:00Comments on Great Guys Weblog: Question, on its Knees, Begging to be AskedBrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15063508651955739056noreply@blogger.comBlogger131125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806884.post-63292323403460776082017-07-29T14:18:59.896-07:002017-07-29T14:18:59.896-07:00Good point. Change that to those who want to assim...Good point. Change that to those who want to assimilate and obey our laws. I think the wording for immigration goes something like that.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://senwellbeing.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">หีฟิต</a>Yang Kuohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09717077611815940582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806884.post-51446645225005493202017-05-04T11:49:02.102-07:002017-05-04T11:49:02.102-07:00[Bret:] Sharia law is a code of law.
Listen to th...<i>[Bret:] Sharia law is a code of law.</i><br /><br />Listen to <a href="https://www.samharris.org/podcast/item/friend-foe" rel="nofollow">this</a>, then rethink whether sharia is just a code of law.Hey Skipperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10798930502187234974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806884.post-18833853204484786812017-05-04T11:20:22.218-07:002017-05-04T11:20:22.218-07:00Good point. Change that to those who want to ass...Good point. Change that to those who want to assimilate and obey our laws. I think the wording for immigration goes something like that.<br /><br />Our daughter and granddaughter are out in your neck of the woods for the week. Thank you for the perfect weather they're enjoying -- Malibu today -- thinking about Joshua Tree possibly tomorrow.erphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09826044412670324694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806884.post-2396036716752405702017-05-04T11:10:02.659-07:002017-05-04T11:10:02.659-07:00erp,
Sharia law is a code of law.erp,<br /><br />Sharia law is a code of law.Brethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063508651955739056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806884.post-61923448049216077482017-05-04T10:48:15.331-07:002017-05-04T10:48:15.331-07:00Skipper, I would take exception to using the word,...Skipper, I would take exception to using the word, "Christian," as well. I'd rather use the phrase, law-abiding people who want to assimilate.erphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09826044412670324694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806884.post-31713212881386870292017-05-04T10:21:19.714-07:002017-05-04T10:21:19.714-07:00The NYT, accidentally, I'm sure, asked the que...The NYT, accidentally, I'm sure, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/03/opinion/australias-immoral-preference-for-christian-refugees.html?smid=pl-share" rel="nofollow">asked the question they refused to ask.</a><br /><br />Skim the story, then go straight to the comments.<br /><br />Shellacking in progress. Well, until they cut it off.Hey Skipperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10798930502187234974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806884.post-38675277069404709012017-05-04T10:20:12.155-07:002017-05-04T10:20:12.155-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Hey Skipperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10798930502187234974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806884.post-31106471539853554362017-04-26T11:59:49.497-07:002017-04-26T11:59:49.497-07:00I forgot to say, ditto for Iran's nukes.I forgot to say, ditto for Iran's nukes.erphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09826044412670324694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806884.post-52792480258614131262017-04-26T11:56:29.991-07:002017-04-26T11:56:29.991-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.erphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09826044412670324694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806884.post-79678558543551590952017-04-26T11:56:29.224-07:002017-04-26T11:56:29.224-07:00Bret, Allende had to be taken out because he had S...Bret, Allende had to be taken out because he had Soviets in the mix, otherwise, I agree, to each his own. It's in no one's interests east or west to allow Kim to continue down the path to nukes. His usefulness as an irritant to the west is drawing to a close.erphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09826044412670324694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806884.post-25818063106967609782017-04-26T11:30:28.788-07:002017-04-26T11:30:28.788-07:00Hey Skipper wrote: "Compare and contrast with...Hey Skipper wrote: "<i>Compare and contrast with North Korea.</i>"<br /><br />Yes, I get that.<br /><br />What I'm uncomfortable with is us (the United States) playing god and deciding that the Allendes and the Kims of the world need to be taken out <i>for the "good" of their people</i>."<br /><br />On the other hand, now the Kim is lobbing nukes and missiles hither and thither, I have far less problem taking him out as a pre-emptive defensive strike though I think it's China's job to do so rather than ours.Brethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063508651955739056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806884.post-55865308993276529182017-04-26T09:41:34.979-07:002017-04-26T09:41:34.979-07:00By the way, Skipper, I believe half of what you us...<br />By the way, Skipper, I believe half of what you usually declare about Islam would easily land you in trouble in Brazil.<br /><br />I can see a Muslim suing you, and winning.<br /><br />That's it, assuming you are only writing it in a blog. I can see a Muslim calling the police and having you in trouble, were you to say that in a personal conversation with eyewitnesses.<br /><br />How free would you feel then?<br />Clovishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08921327103613284595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806884.post-18808322480657491692017-04-26T09:38:26.856-07:002017-04-26T09:38:26.856-07:00Skipper,
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Does anyone wish Allende had succeed...Skipper,<br /><br />---<br />Does anyone wish Allende had succeeded?<br />---<br /><br />Are you able at least to qualify that: succeeded at what? Why are you so sure he wanted to repeat Castro?Clovishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08921327103613284595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806884.post-24739893149551900592017-04-26T09:35:03.640-07:002017-04-26T09:35:03.640-07:00Skipper,
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When I was looking at lists of count...Skipper,<br /><br />---<br />When I was looking at lists of countries ranked by religious freedom, Brazil came out on top.<br />---<br />I am a bit surprised - not because Brazil isn't free at that, but because I can't think why we would be better in comparison to many other countries, including the US.<br /><br />The practice of any religion in Brazil is pretty free. What is curtailed is your speech directed towards criticizing religions, even more so with the mainstream ones. So in a sense, yes, religious freedom is great here, but it eats away at free speech for that (at least a bite).<br /><br />---<br />Perhaps. How close is North Korea to collapse?<br />---<br />It did collpse, now they are a zombie land. Perhaps your President will bury them soon.Clovishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08921327103613284595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806884.post-17523665218535884312017-04-26T09:13:13.392-07:002017-04-26T09:13:13.392-07:00[Clovis:] Come over to Brazil and kick and break t...<i>[Clovis:] Come over to Brazil and kick and break the statue of a saint in public. Yes, one that yourself bought, if you wish.</i><br /><br />When I was looking at lists of countries ranked by religious freedom, Brazil came out on top. I'm not sure those rankings are worth much, in as much 1st Amendment cases in the US get classed as religious conflict, but are really just the workings of contested religious boundaries. Anyway, I thought interesting Brazil was on top.<br /><br /><i>[Bret:] For example, even if we agree that the people of Chile are, in aggregate, better off now than if we hadn't gotten rid of Allende and the history that followed, those that were tortured and murdered were certainly far worse off than they otherwise woulda been.</i><br /><br />Inverted, that sentence reads just as well. Let's apply that reasoning to an analogous situation. Even if we agree the people of South Korea are, in aggregate, better off now than if we hadn't fought the Korean War, those that were tortured and murdered were certainly far worse off than they otherwise would have been.<br /><br />Compare and contrast with North Korea.<br /><br />Utilitarian arguments are very seductive. Unfortunately, they are often in comparison against that which didn't happen. No one has any idea how Chile, or the rest of South America would have turned out had Allende stayed in power. The record of other communist regimes isn't encouraging. The Bay of Pigs was an ugly, and farcical, intervention in Cuba's affairs. Is <i>anyone</i>, aside from the Castros, Harry, and other unrepentant communists, glad it failed? Does anyone wish Allende had succeeded?<br /><br />Clearly, South Koreans are, in the aggregate, better off than the North Koreans. And the world would be far better off if North Korea would just disappear. <br /><br />Of course those who died in the process are far worse off. They aren't the only ones who matter, nor would no one have died in the alternative. <br /><br />You are right: the US was, for many good reasons, very afraid of communism. Up through the 1970s, it very much looked like the the West was on the back foot. Except for self-annointed intellectuals, most people saw communism for the horror show it was. Very few, however, understood how close the whole soul-crushing edifice was to complete collapse. <br /><br />If we had, perhaps that might have changed things. <br /><br />Perhaps. How close is North Korea to collapse?Hey Skipperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10798930502187234974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806884.post-91440755448049532962017-04-26T05:03:14.693-07:002017-04-26T05:03:14.693-07:00Clovis, why do you make me keep repeating myself. ...Clovis, why do you make me keep repeating myself. I approved of very few of the actions of our lefty presidents and I don't care if LA countries become socialist, but I very much care if they violate the Monroe Doctrine by allowing foreign powers to be complicit, i.e., Cuba ... where we allowed the Soviets to gain power. Venezuelans can start eating each other if they like, but if they invite a foreign power to the party, it'll get my attention.<br /><br />I also believe we should honor our treaties, so I approved of the SEATO action in Vietnam as I would approve of honoring NATO commitments should it become necessary.erphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09826044412670324694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806884.post-32197023164966888092017-04-26T04:17:55.278-07:002017-04-26T04:17:55.278-07:00Right, Erp, so please make room for doubt whenever...Right, Erp, so please make room for doubt whenever someone tell you of a country far away that needed a little fix before the commies could take it down...Clovishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08921327103613284595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806884.post-46779622738938158732017-04-25T19:06:51.373-07:002017-04-25T19:06:51.373-07:00Clovis, I also have no secret knowledge only 80 ye...Clovis, I also have no secret knowledge only 80 years of lies from the media on which to base my opinion that whatever we have been told is suspect at best and out right fabrication at worst.<br /><br />Also we have learned that the Soviets were never a threat as was finally revealed when Reagan called their bluff and they folded, as Bob Grant, an old-time New York talk radio personality used to say, <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=folding+camera&hl=en&sourceid=gd&rlz=1Q1GGLD_enUS626US626&aq=t#hl=en&q=fold+like+a+cheap+camera" rel="nofollow">like a cheap camera</a>.erphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09826044412670324694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806884.post-55086800504274299042017-04-25T18:10:17.218-07:002017-04-25T18:10:17.218-07:00Erp,
I have not much authority to talk about Chil...Erp,<br /><br />I have not much authority to talk about Chile. I can't judge how close they were to a real communist threat.<br /><br />I believe I have a bit more of credibility to talk about Brazil though. You may find opinions for every side down here, but if I take an average, it looks like communism was much more a convenient excuse for the old oligarchy to take power by force.<br /><br />I have histories running in the family to illustrate that. I may write a post about it someday.<br /><br />Clovishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08921327103613284595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806884.post-38563644088655331592017-04-25T15:59:21.411-07:002017-04-25T15:59:21.411-07:00Bret true, except that Clovis is a victim of the s...Bret true, except that Clovis is a victim of the same media propaganda as the rest of us.erphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09826044412670324694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806884.post-37978741198352429942017-04-25T15:55:35.972-07:002017-04-25T15:55:35.972-07:00erp wrote: "I wouldn't put too much crede...erp wrote: "<i>I wouldn't put too much credence the media/left take on the terrible things we did.</i>"<br /><br />Maybe so, but if Clovis who's a little closer to the Chile/Allende situation (though not temporally) confirms it, I'd put somewhat more credence into it.Brethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063508651955739056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806884.post-67969895420989556142017-04-25T13:10:08.692-07:002017-04-25T13:10:08.692-07:00Clovis, sorry there were no similar no-go areas be...Clovis, sorry there were no similar no-go areas before the Moslem "refugee" invasion. There were probably some rough areas as there are/were here especially in Chicago and other predominately Democratic cities, but nowhere that the law was not permitted, the "residents" were in charge and the police were afraid to enter.<br /><br />Whose ox is gored: Your view of a situation depends on whether it benefits you or not.<br /><br />In the case of Chile and Iran, both Pinochet/commies and the Shah/Islamicists had to clean out the bad guys. It's similar to the commie slogan in order to make an omelet, some eggs need to be broken. In these cases, it was the left's eggs being broken.<br /><br />Bret, I wouldn't put too much credence the media/left take on <i>the terrible things we did</i>. I very much doubt reality was anything like the left's account.erphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09826044412670324694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806884.post-26731556995384444102017-04-25T07:39:31.875-07:002017-04-25T07:39:31.875-07:00Skipper,
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There you go with the moral relativi...Skipper,<br /><br />---<br />There you go with the moral relativism again. "No-go" (i.e. High crime) areas due to all manner of societal deficiencies are not the same as "no-go" areas due to supremacist claims.<br />---<br /><br />For someone without religion or any set of absolute morals, you look far too worried about 'moral relativism' (a pretty meaningless concept these days, IMHO).<br /><br />I also think you misunderstand greatly the majority of no-go areas of Europe. They are mostly high-crime areas too, and though some may use Islamism (or whatever minority thing) to justify their claim over it, it is only an area a group of people decided to highjack for themselves in order to go on with their mafias. Clovishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08921327103613284595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806884.post-61148485193502433632017-04-25T07:30:28.921-07:002017-04-25T07:30:28.921-07:00Bret,
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Huh. I didn't realize that. Is the ...Bret,<br /><br />---<br />Huh. I didn't realize that. Is the government or independently acting citizens that would be the trouble?<br />---<br />Depending on the circumstances, both.<br /><br />There was a famous case back in the 90's, of an evangelical pastor who kicked a saint on TV airtime, with some harsh words directed to catholicism too.<br /><br />He was condemned in court for "inciting religious prejudice by means of words and gestures". <br /><br />Back then the Catholic Church was pretty afraid of the evangelical growth and trying very hard to stop that. Didn't work very well, less than 10% of Brazilians were evangelical back then, now that's 30%.<br /><br />Now and then I read about similar cases happening in smaller cities, with their councilmen trying to impose some kind of punishment for people acting (or even talking too much) against their saints.<br /><br />Clovishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08921327103613284595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806884.post-26325583815498348732017-04-25T07:21:34.981-07:002017-04-25T07:21:34.981-07:00Erp,
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Clovis, re: Chile It boils down to whose...Erp,<br /><br />---<br />Clovis, re: Chile It boils down to whose ox is being gored. <br />---<br /><br />I tried, but that's an expression I couldn't really get up to this day. What does that mean?Clovishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08921327103613284595noreply@blogger.com