Thread: Kenya in Crisis
View Single Post
Old 01-07-2008, 02:05 PM   #67
classicman
barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy.
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 23,401
Quote:
Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45 View Post
I'm really tired of the "the poor shouldn't be complaining because they have it better than other countries" reasoning. Its just a cop-out. If we have a problem in our country, no matter how it relates to other countries, we should try to fix it in a reasonable manner.
Don't put words in my mouth, I never said that at all. I was speaking in terms of relativity. I think we all know there is a problem. To what degree and the decisions on how to address it are not mine to make.

Quote:
Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45 View Post
So you think everything is going to be just fine if when we stopped slavery? Everyone would like that to be the case, but it just isn't true. Blacks still represent the underprivileged class and there are still racial disparities as much as we would like to ignore and blame them on blacks.
I am not ignoring nor blaming blacks for anything. I did not say, nor imply that at all!

Quote:
Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45 View Post
Also, you are making it sound like we did blacks a favor by freeing them?
I said no such thing! Not even close. You want us to recognize a problem and correct it, yes? Well all I said is that is what we attempted to do so and still are attempting to address issues regarding racial bias. There is only so much a gov't can do to correct a problem through legislation though. Most of this particular issue may be cultural, not procedural.


Quote:
Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45 View Post
Acknowledge the fact that the only reason you can live your life like it is today is because we took stole from, killed, and deceived the American Indians. You didn't kill anyone, but you are benefiting from your ancestors killing them.
Oh please - are you serious? Lets say that one caveman clan killed another clan and took their territory. This particular clan evolved into oh lets just say - Americans - Am I to blame for their actions too? I mean, seriously, how far back do you want to look?

Quote:
Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45 View Post
There are no "great countries" that haven't exploited other countries or have benefited of the exploitation of others. America is no different.

That is why there is really no way of rectifying many of the situations that are present today. Yes, we are not doing the misdeeds that we have done in the past, but we are still benefiting from them and there is very little anyone can do about it except trying to speed of the healing process, which ironically usually does the opposite.
I agree.

Quote:
Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45 View Post
If we are arguing over abortion, why would I put out an argument for your side? The point of my argument is to say that America has done its fair share of misdeeds and then shouldn't be labeled a "good" country. Everyone knows of America's positive effects, so it is irrelevant using them in my argument. And please don't take me as we are a "bad" country either. We are as I said numerous times, a country that is just protecting our own interests, very little good or evil can come from that statement.
Re: the first sentence - To get to the truth instead of winning a pointless argument - Isn't that what we are trying to do here find reasons and answers? Or are we here just to argue. Heck, I don't want to waste my time on that.

America has made mistakes, yes, but overall is America a good or bad country? That is the ultimate question and I say its a good one. But again, that is just my opinion.
__________________
"like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt
classicman is offline   Reply With Quote