Protestantism

» Brian Tubbs - Comparing Batista and Castro

In response to Batista posted by pink101:

That the following article is from Capitalism Magazine will probably discredit it immediately with Pink (who's made his opinions against capitalism known far and wide) and probably other liberals here, but the points made IN the article are worth confronting.

http://www.capmag.com/article.asp?id=2496

So, if it's possible, read the article with an open mind and then confront its points.

» pink101 - Bill Of Rights

In response to Democracy posted by BrianTubbs:
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I disagree George W. Bush is a dictator, and I disagree that he is leading some kind of war against the people of the United States.
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Both your soul and mine as well as every other Americans is standing trial as we live and breathe and in this moment. That's for starters.
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I rented the movie, Rendition, that was released on February 19th. Do yourself a favor, get it and watch it. To really get it, make sure you have the English titles turned on as some of the dialog is in whispers and hard to discern.
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Your rights as an American citizen are non-existent. Migisi was correct in her statement in another thread and you are wrong.
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While you are at it, view the documentary that accompanies the video.
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The only thing stopping George W. Bush from a military coup is that it would back fire on him. Our military is still loyal to the Constitution. But, there are a lot of people in government who come up with the response when they are pushed up against the wall, "It's a dirty business. Someone has to do it."
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See the movie. Purposeful ignorance is no defense when you stand in front of the Judge of The Ages.
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The movie is a tear jerker. Be prepared.
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By the way, lest you think it's a political party thing? Wild Bill Clinton was president when Extraordinary Rendition was initiated under the law in this country.
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If there is a God and if you and others are correct about Hell, George W. Bush will suffer in agony for eternity.
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-- posted by pink101

» pink101 - Question on Democracy

In response to Question on Democracy posted by BrianTubbs:
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Please tell me how many elections Castro won.
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I don't know if he ever even took part in an election. Did he?
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I think Cuba has a one party political system and it is the state run Communist Party if I'm not mistaken. I suppose the party dictates public officials. Do you think the Cuban system is corrupt? From what I hear, the people of Cuba support Castro. I get the idea that the biggest problem the Cuban economy has is due to the U.S.A.'s embargo on it..
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So, would you be in favor of the Lucky Luciano Mafia still being in charge with Batista being the puppet?
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You have to give credit to Castro's Revolution for running the vices out of Cuba.
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I read the link you gave. Who wrote it? The idea that Cuba's economy is in tatters is almost totally due to the way our past ten administrations have boycotted that tiny country as a punishment for not playing ball according to our rules. I think those things are going to be changing quite soon with the new administration after the coming election in November.
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Thankfully.
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-- posted by pink101

» Brian Tubbs - Bill Of Rights

In response to Bill Of Rights posted by pink101:

As a historian, I can tell you that what George W. Bush and company are doing is not nearly as extensive (in terms of violating people's rights) as what some previous administrations have done - especially the Lincoln administration. And the USA has survived.

I would also say that you're making some character assumptions and judgments about George W. Bush that just don't hold up. George W. Bush is not interested in becoming a dictator and assuming total power. He sincerely believes that what he is doing is right, and that his actions are just. I don't agree with all of them, but I can disagree much more rationally and respectfully than others can.

» Brian Tubbs - Batista v. Castro

In response to Question on Democracy posted by pink101:

So, would you be in favor of the Lucky Luciano Mafia still being in charge with Batista being the puppet?

No

Why is it that to be against Castro means that I'm automatically in favor of the Mafia and Batista?

I want the Cuban people to have the opportunity to decide for THEMSELVES their economic and political system. And that starts with multi-party or at least multi-candidate elections.

» pink101 - Bill Of Rights

In response to Bill Of Rights posted by BrianTubbs:

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[George W. Bush] sincerely believes that what he is doing is right, and that his actions are just.
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And, therein lies the serious problem with which we are faced as a nation--gullibility in individuals who think they KNOW what Bush believes. You don't know squat about what he believes any more than I do.

-- posted by pink101

» Brian Tubbs - Knowing squat

In response to Bill Of Rights posted by pink101:

I can't help but chuckle at your statement. You say I "don't know squat" about what Bush believes, and then acknowledge that you don't either. So, how exactly then is it valid and right for you to condemn the man's intentions and character, but NOT okay for me to defend him - even mildly?

You're saying that ignorance on your end shouldn't stand in the way of your passing judgment, but ignorance on my end SHOULD cause me to stop defending him.

Well, wait a minute. In America, we're innocent until proven guilty. Now, you may think Bush is violating that. But YOU have a moral obligation to extend to Bush the courtesy of presumption of innocence, until and unless he is proven guilty.

Therefore, I can grant him the benefit of the doubt.

I am NOT a cynic.

» pink101 - Knowing squat

In response to Knowing squat posted by BrianTubbs:

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I didn't make the effort to go back and reread what I said about ignorance; but, if I'm not mistaken, my reference was to purposeful ignorance.
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And, when it comes to George W. Bush, I am not purposely closing anything off. In fact, I do the homework--I know that the Patriot Act is a legal pathway around the Bill of Rights every American used to be able to depend on. I know that the present administration has short circuited the Constitutional process in a number of ways and I do not excuse anything on the basis that it's a nasty business; but, that someone has to have the guts to do it.
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Did I just say ignorance or did I say something tot he effect of purposeful ignorance?
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-- posted by pink101

» Migisi - Knowing squat

In response to Knowing squat posted by BrianTubbs:
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In America, we're innocent until proven guilty.
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You're kidding, right? Say you're given a speeding ticket. You are charged with a crime and presumed guilty, and you will remain so, until you go to court and prove that you're innocent. If you don't fight the ticket in court, the court automatically finds you guilty - not innocent.
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Speaking of Cuba, the 775 people arrested in the US in 2002 and imprisoned in cages in Gitmo were ~presumed~ guilty - not innocent. Of those, 400+ were released ~years~ later because they were wrongfully arrested in the first place. As of August 9, 2007, about 350+ prisoners still remain. They've been imprisoned for SIX YEARS without legal representation and a fair trial. Where did due process go? Well, that's simple. US law doesn't apply outside US borders. That's why they were sent there to begin with. Bush intentionally denied them their rights and circumvented the law.
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Now, you may think Bush is violating that.
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Indeed he did, and is -- under the guise of 'national security'.
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But YOU have a moral obligation to extend to Bush the courtesy of presumption of innocence, until and unless he is proven guilty.
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What is Bush's moral obligation to me, you - EVERY US citizen? Did he not take this oath: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, PRESERVE, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
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Bush has not fulfilled his moral obligation to US citizens, nor has he upheld his oath of office. Therefore, I owe him NO courtesy whatsoever! He has not PRESERVED the Constitution, but instead - knowingly and willfully nullified it and its Bill of Rights with his Patriot Act and subsequent unlawful Acts. He should've been IMPEACHED right then and there - along with EVERY member of Congress who voted for it.

-- posted by Migisi

» Migisi - Man For All Seasons

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In the play, "A Man for All Seasons", Sir Thomas More questions the bounder Roper whether he would level the forest of English laws to punish the Devil.
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"What would you do?" More asks, "Cut a great road through the law to get after the Devil?"
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Roper affirms, "I'd cut down every law in England to do that."
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To which More replies, "And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned round on you - where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat? This country's planted thick with laws from coast to coast . . . and if you cut them down . . . d'you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then? Yes, I'd give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety's sake."

-- posted by Migisi