Re: OT:9/11/01

["Stephen P. Goodman" <spgoodman@earthlight.net>]

 "Joe Dallarda" <jdallar@hotmail.com> parrotted:

> I hate to say, but this act is pretty much political karma.

Sorry, Joe.  Vague statements like that which cast doubt without giving
substance work a lot less in the 21st century than you might think.

> America is the bully of the worlds playground, and the Americans on this
> list (and I am one of them) should be aware of this.

Again, another vague judgemental statement without basis, assuming upon
itself the mantle of devine truth, without any trace of data to support it.
And implying that, if we don't agree with it, we are idiots.

> (By the way, I hope I dont end up sounding pedantic, or insulting to
> anyone's intelligence, if I do, sorry).

I don't think that's enough of an apology.  If you'd stop trying to sling
your planet-sized intellect around this virtual room, perhaps you'd realize
that you have to back up old, overused political rhetoric with facts.

> Please dont make the mistake of thinking that I'm saying I condone what
> happened- I'm just saying there are a lot of reasons why a lot of people
in
> the developing world are taking a lot of satisfaction in our pain- based
on
> their experience of what the American government is like, and how it has
> affected them, they see it, and quite reasonably so, as the little guy
> giving the big bad bully of the global school yard one hell of an
> unbelievable sucker punch.

I'm sure that there are people who are twisted enough by their hate of the
United States, its freedoms, and its ways of life, to think that the above
is valid.  How does this then justify their inhuman behavior?  It doesn't.

> The Palestinians arent celebrating what happened
> yesterday because they are "crazy," "radical," "fundamentalist," or
innately
> "bad" or violent somehow. We have given them, by our actions, a lot of
> reason to do so.

A basis for this would be helpful.  Otherwise it's just backtracking
justification for your statements.

> Who is a terrorist, and who is a nationalist/freedom-fighter? The only
> difference between the two, the only thing deciding what word you use  is
> who's side yer on.

Sorry, bub.  There's a definition of terrorism out there that you 
apparently
don't understand, perhaps because you've relied upon incomplete sources of
information and propaganda.  I would suggest looking to the dictionary for 
a
start.

> We need to find out more about why things like this
> happen- not simply exhibit knee-jerk reactions and bark jingoistic
nonsense.

What then are your statements?  Manna from above?

> Meanwhile the innocent suffer for the sins of the few in power.

More judgemental statements without data to back it up.  Ennh!

> This is totally inapropriate for a list about looping, but having spent a
> lot of time in the West Bank and also having lived in Egypt, certain 
>posts
> have just made it too hard for me to stay in lurk mode.

That explains a lot.

> I really dont want to start a politcal type flame war though, so if any
one
> really feels the need to attack me please do it off-list, preferably not
for
> a sustained period of time.

I'm not sorry to say that the kind of pap you've spewed here is best
addressed in a public forum.  Simply saying the above doesn't mean that
people don't have the right to rebut what you've said, nor does it mean 
that
you're right.

Let us then choose a date for our discussions of anything but PEACEFUL
SOLUTIONS to our pain and frustration to begin, that hopefully utilize the
reason we're ALL supposed to be on Looper's Delight, hopefully solutions
involving (gasp! can you believe it?) looping and music.  I would propose
the end of tomorrow, which worldwide has been designated as a day of
mourning.  After midnight Friday I would propose that we exercise good
manners, and confine ourselves to the subject matter of this list, and come
up with positive, musical ways of dealing with the way we feel.  I've
already put forth my own idea, and unfortunately have only gotten a few
responses.

Let's try to raise peoples' spirits in the midst of sadness, and perhaps
make some money for the victims.  If it is desired I'll make my proposal
again.  But in the meantime I'll wait.

Stephen Goodman
http://www.earthlight.net/Gallery_Front.html - Cartoons & Illustrations
http://www.earthlight.net/Studios * The free Loop of the Week!
http://www.live365.com/stations/218194 * EarthLight Online / Live!