Free Speech To Enlarged Penises - Answering The Mail
By John David Powell (04/29/03)
Time to clean out the email accumulated during Gulf War 2.
In response to "Might for Right", the column dealing with the use of force for humanitarian reasons, came this thoughtful screed from Steve:
Thanks for the official government version of history. I can pick up any 7th grade history book and read that dribble. In case you didn't get it, that's about where I put your historical knowledge of history to be: about 7th grade. Do you still believe in Santa? There are so many books that are well referenced with our government's own documents that contradict your version of WWII that one wonders if you are just desperately naive or a sociopathic neocon. Hey, WWJD? After reading your sophomoric history, I then have to endure your pretend Christianity. Regardless of how you see it, Christianity does not condone killing. Grow up and read. Turn off Fox news and pick up ANY book. By the way, you did not provide moral justification to the war. Quoting a philosophy doesn't cut it with anyone but the hilljacks. Are you really happy that we are sending our children to kill their children for fossil fuel and Israeli? Do you feel safer? Stronger? More powerful? Why aren't you or your children fighting if you so desperately believe? Why aren't Bush" girls over there fighting? Chickhawks united! 70% for the war my ass. Maybe at a NASCAR race.
Have a nice war, Steve
Dear Steve: Thanks for your comments and for the time you spent reading my drivel. Or was that dribble? Either way, I won't quibble.
I do believe, however, you proved one point made in the column -- that the national debate has acquired a shrill tone. But, I truly thank you for your comments, which probably are shared by many of my readers. And I do appreciate it that you read the piece. I always encourage folks to read things they don't agree with, as well as those they do agree with. It makes for a well-rounded individual. In fact, I even listen to Pacifica on my way home. Funny thing about that. Who woulda thought that anyone could make NPR sound like the Rush Limbaugh Network?
A different Steve writes:
Hey, Mr. Answer Guy: The "Arab street" says that the Iraqi information minister is telling the truth, and the images we are seeing have been created in Hollywood, and the Syrian government tells its people that the deaths of journalists prove that America is trying to prevent the truth from getting out, a view seemingly held by most of the Arab world. Again and again I return to the thought that the unique meld of Arab culture and Islamic religion has given us perhaps the most dysfunctional, destructive force the world has ever seen. Denial seems to be a huge river that has spread its boundaries far beyond Egypt. Any thoughts?
Dear Steve: “Boosh, Boosh!” The images are destroyed statues, cheering crowds, looted presidential palaces, distributed humanitarian aid, vile torture chambers, teenage boys freed from prison. Are these the images the governments of Syria and Jordan want to carry on state controlled television? Indeed. The genie is out of the bottle, so to speak. Freedom-loving folks see the possibilities. The ruling elite also sees the possibilities. They, however, own the guns. Agency theory now comes into play. The rulers of other Arab states will do what is in their best interests instead of what is in the best interests of their countries and people. Same is true for those who position themselves to take over, by vote or by force, the new government of Iraq.
E.T. brought to my attention an article in the New York Times, regarding a government “no-fly” list. According to the NYT, civil rights advocates demand an explanation for why hundreds of names ended up on a list used to stop people suspected of having terrorist links from boarding commercial air flights. Some individuals say they are on the list because of their strong liberal politics. Last year, members of a group called Peace Action of Wisconsin, which included a priest, a nun, and high school and college students, were detained in Milwaukee and missed their flight to a teach-in.
Wrote E.T.: Be afraid...and angry! The ACLU has had problems in the past. This is NOT one of those times. It's just the tip, folks, like the canary in the coal mine! Stalin, anyone? E.T.
Dear E.T. Nuns? You bet. First folks I'd check. Women carrying babies, too. And, that guy dressed like Donald Duck. To catch a terrorist you have to think like a terrorist. No terrorist (unless it's that idiot with the shoe bomb), will get on a plane wearing a sandwich board -- ok, pita board -- declaring: Death to all infidels (as soon as this plane takes off)!
Yes, nuns are at the top of my list. Especially if they're bearded and smell of camel sweat.
Not all the email dealt with war and terror, though.
Mr. Answer Guy!!!! I keep getting these messages in my mail!!! Mail delivery: returned mail, etc. and it's always the same subject content. Something about enlarging the penis!!!!! I've gotten probably 30 of these in the past few days. What's up and how can I stop them? They make it look like I've sent these messages to different people and they were returned to me as undeliverable. HELP!!
Dear HELP!!: Why are you bothering me with these mundane matters? Don’t you know about war and terrorism? For all I know, you may have been hit by a virus that attacked your Outlook address box. If you do not have an Outlook address box, a virus (more precisely a worm) may have attacked someone else's Outlook address box, got your name and sent out emails under your name and under everyone else's. Your alternatives are thus: You can delete these emails as you would any other unwanted emails
or,
You can check out the product and enjoy your new penis length.
I'm enjoying my new fuller breasts. All of my friends notice and make knowing comments.
Sincerely, jdp
First published at www.EtherZone.com
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