(August 15, 2012 at 8:34 am)A Theist Wrote:(August 15, 2012 at 6:33 am)Jaysyn Wrote: And which of these people are elected officials?...or 'notable pundits along the lines of O'Reilly' per DP's request....
Quote:Famous Examples:.....there's also the sleaziness of Harry Ried's accusations against Romney for tax evasion by an unnamed source. Reid stated in an interview that 'although he couldn't prove it, but the word is out'...there's also the sleazy Obama campaign ad that falsely accused Romney of being responsible for the death of a woman who died from cancer. The campaign drew more controversy when it was revealed that Obama's deputy campaign manager lead a conference call with the widower of the dead woman after she had originally denied knowing or having anything to do with that smear ad.
* Sarah Palin had rifle sights over Democrat congressional areas of representation
* Sharon Angle's second amendment remedies
* Rick Perry's veiled threat of secession
* Bill O'Riley repeatedly calling Dr. Tiller the "baby killer"
Please name for me any notable liberal elected officials or notable pundits (along the lines of O'Riley) that used similar violent rhetoric.
(August 15, 2012 at 6:35 am)Brian37 Wrote: Who here doesn't value freedom of speech, please tell me. You do realize if we atheists here did not value freedom of speech we are surrounded a majority of theists.What are you talking about? That's not my point at all. If you re-read my post you quoted, I never implied that anyone should be denied their freedom of speech, no matter how much of the bullsh*t I disagree with. Yes, you have every right to voice a criticism of our government over things you don't agree with and I have an equal right to respond. I was only pointing out that at least appreciate the freedom of speech we have in this country without the worry of government retribution that we would receive in other countries......I wasn't telling anybody that they should shut up or be denied their freedom of speech.
And as far as "America bashing", do you think the entire history of this country has been all peaches and cream? I'd say slavery and genocide of Native Americans was pretty sucky for those minorities at the time. I'd also say that women not being allowed to vote sucked.
There is a huge difference between criticizing what your government does, and "bashing". When my government fucks up, why shouldn't I criticize it? Or is that "bashing" only reserved for people you agree with?
You do not own a monopoly on what constitutes an American. If we are allowed to dissent and disagree as afforded by the First Amendment, then then a citizen is only based on the common law of the legality of being born here, or naturalized. Our political parties or positions on a god claim do not change that.
Why would you think non Christians of other religions or non believers cant appreciate or don't appreciate freedom of speech? Why would you make the following statement
Quote:I was only pointing out that at least appreciate the freedom of speech we have in this country without the worry of government retribution that we would receive in other countries..
DUH! Would you like to call that into CNN or should I? Why would you feel the need to say that if you didn't think others are incapable of having the same values? If a non-Christian of any label, be they Jewish or Muslim or atheist, can value freedom of speech, which we can and do, then the above statement you made seems a bit of "me thinkist thou protestith too much".


