ducky_rh, on Nov 20 2007, 06:16 PM, said:
I believe that such a demonstration shows compete disrespect for one's country and for the OFFICE of the President
WTF? Actually, I know what. You have successfully been instilled with the commingling mindset I mentioned in my self-deleted post and elsewhere, where the OFFICE of the President and its current Holder (or, more abstractly, the USA and the current Administration) are one and the same. The Republicans (because they are the current Administration. I'm not being partisan here. Hey, when the Democrats get in, it's not like they're going to try to dissuade anyone from that view) and those for whom the current erosion of liberties of the Common Man is advantageous (because equating lese majeste with treason allows any trampling of liberties. You see, the Leader says it's right, and you're anti-American if you disagree with the Leader, so...) want this commingling to continue in the mind of America.
Of course, as one of the things that has driven the United States of America since the beginning was that that equating led inevitably to Tyranny, and Americans were, and should continue to be, willing to kill and die to escape Tyranny, than even as a non-American, I fight against that message.
The sign said nothing *at all* about either their country or the OFFICE of the President; no more than me saying that I am glad to have moved this year because now, I don't have to live with the fact that Stephen Harper is my MP (go ahead, look it up. I'll wait). It said something about what they thought of the current *holder* of the OFFICE of the President, but that is totally different. (It also said something about how euphoria and 14 days of stress and more than the odd bit of needling by, well, *everybody else* can cause people to make very poor judgments. But I've stated my opinion of what I think happened a number of times here, so...)
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and I consider their act to be repugnant and as improper as it could get.
That is your choice. I think the words are strong, but I also disapproved of their act. I understand, but I still disapprove. It was definitely improper, an example to be remembered and not repeated.
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I will forever hold those women in contempt for their action. It was disrespectful, uncalled for in the situation, and most of all, completely juvenile.
Perhaps. And it is your right to hold whatever personal beliefs you choose to, as it is yours and others' right to make them pay in lost earnings by not hiring them for their team. And I'm sure they will see that cost, and realize what they are paying for their action, for time to come. Of course, there will be people who will hire them specifically because of their action. The wheel turns, the Balance restores...
It was also a joke at an inappropriate time conducted in an inappropriate manner. Anyone not have one of those in their lives? How is life in that bubble, sir? And how do you reach out to hold the cards? Those of us that do have those moments value the virtue of forgiveness in others that makes it possible to continue to live (quite literally in many cases).
Michael.
P.S. (as a Geordie, which I realize isn't quite the quite here) "Luxury."
When I go to sea, don't fear for me, Fear For The Storm -- Birdie and the Swansong (tSCoSI)