It’s that special time again. This time with a much more politically charged cartoon:
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Why is it that conservative criticism of the government pursuit of the “War on Terror” is justified, while liberal criticism is seen as hurting America?
Because except for outliers (William Lind, Buchanan, etc), such criticism is technical, not categorical?
But assuming that I firmly believe that America should not pursue the War on Terror at all, it is not my right and duty as a citizen to display my opposition? Why should you only criticize technical methods if you feel the ideas behind them are wrong?
I do not like Chirol’s adaption of the cartoon because it suggests that the left is actively hurting America through its difference in opinion. The cartoon’s suggested solution seems to be a stifling of political dissent, rather than an active conversation about ideas and action.
Granted, if you objected to the original version of the cartoon because it argued that the isolationists during the Second World War were hurting America, it would be consistent to argue that a similar cartoon is still objectionable today.
No part of the Constition compels you to display opposition. Certainly it is your right. As it is the right of others to tru to help the nation as they may — which might include attempting to shape the debate to make it more conducive to Victory.
Martey:
Duty, I’m not sure. Right, of course. Likewise, it is then our right (and duty??) to oppose your opposition.
I think the cartoon is harsh, but the Left does not hurt America through its difference in opinion. It hurts America by calling our president stupid, comparing Iraq to Vietnam, demanding the troops come home NOW, calling Guantanamo a gulag, trying to put Rumsfeld before a war crimes tribunal, bashing our military at every chance they get, etc etc.
Ah, the expected fallout of such a harsh cartoon. I indeed did not mean to imply the left, or anyone for that matter, does not have the right to criticize policy. However, as Curzon pointed out so well, some of the dissent does indeed hurt us. The WOT was not something we chose like Vietnam, it came to us, and the government is out there trying to fight terrorism and to protect its citizens, whether gun toting Texans or hippies living in a VW van.
The main point is that much of the criticism coming from the left is not constructive. It merely aims to demonize the military and the government while completely ignoring a very real threat. What will it take to make many realize there are groups out there who are actively plotting to kill them and that these people can’t be reasoned with and must be eliminated with extreme prejudice.
I welcome criticism from all sides, however, as long as it is constructive and well informed.
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bq. Chirol said:
The main point is that much of the criticism coming from the left is not constructive.
And I would add a lack of providing viable alternatives.
Oh smack, all three CA contributors weigh in with their respective attacks on the Left.
This cartoon is not politically charged, it is totally and utterly useless and another example of typical and entirely false right wing propaganda – and as Marty pointed out, unfair as well. Bush did enough to hinder the real war on terror, like starting a war with some badass dictator and drew all the ressources out of Afghanistan who were supposed to put Osama bin Terror out of his dialysistical misery.
Chirol: I think the cartoon is harsh, but the Left does not hurt America through its difference in opinion.
…and the right hurts America through its policies (Iraq, Guantanamo Bay, forgetting Osama, atomar rearmament and so on and on and on)
Curzon: It hurts America by calling our president stupid,
Hey, I CAN spell nuculear. Oops! I did it again!
_comparing Iraq to Vietnam_
What, you don’t see the parallels? It’s right in front of your eyes. Just wait and see when they put up a Memorial in Washington for all the soldiers who died over there and ppl in your country start demonstrating to finally do it right, as it was the case during… [insert favorite historical precedent here]
_demanding the troops come home NOW,_
Like the Democratic party would pull everybody out at once, are you serious?? The problem is the republicans obviously started a war out of personal grudges – crybaby: _he tried to kill my daddy_ – and ressources like oil using a lie – they have wmds and they harbour terrorists – when there was another important thing to do: Kill terrorists elsewhere. But no…
_calling Guantanamo a gulag_
Guantanoma is a horrible shame for your country which so much believes in the rights and freedoms of each (only American) man. Doesn’t count if the republicans are steering the boat, then you’re a totally rightless bitch because they say so. How many ppl have been put before a judge there? Great democracy, and a shame that the ppl on the street have been made afraid so much by this government that they’re blinded and don’t demonstrate against it. Fear is a great leverage for the status quo, wouldn’t you agree?
_Rumsfeld before a war crimes tribunal_
Oh, only in my wildest dreams – as I commented before, since everybody is influenced by your government, he’s still allowed to run around freely.
_bashing our military at every chance they get_
There are certainly lots of ppl in it who were miserable and poor enough to join the army to have at least a chance in your horrible social and education system. Blacks and Hispanics are good cannonfodder (or can you explain to my why their percantage is so much higher than in the general population? certainly not because they’re genetically more violent, you rascist – I’ve read former posts from you in this website, there’s no way denieing you ARE one), that’s what I see when I see your military. So many young ppl, 18, 19 and exploited. If they survive, they can go to collegue, allright, at least racial discrimination has officially been abolished a few decades ago. About the military bashing: What did you think, occupiers are never ever popular, especially when they screw up so often and kill even themselves in friendly fire or when they publish so disgusting videos that the whole world dispises them for torturing prisoners in Guantanamo, Abu Ghreib and possibly lots of other places. And then the ppl who are responsible for it, your chummer Rummy the friendly Iraqi-neighbourhood gasofmassdesctruction-seller says it was not a general command from above but individual incidents if there were any at all. Even your generals, watching the latest video about American soldiers _playing_ in a prison torture methods, doing it with a matress and a backback though, say there is nothing to worry about. Don’t worry. Be happy – but give us your oil! What, you don’t agree, Curzon? When the American forces reached Baghdad, they did protect the oil ministry and oil pipelines but what they didn’t protect was 4000 years of culture, you cultureless ignorant, when everything broke down ppl razed the national museum and your beloved military DID NOTHING to stop it, but the oil, well, that’s a national security issue, right? RIGHT! You still wonder why your military is so unpopular? It’s actually send all over the world playing world police, protecting your governments *interests* as this little brat Kenneth and you pointed out so many times – just go on with that kind of attitude in other ppls backyards, but then don’t wonder why everybody doesn’t like you.
Younghusband: And I would add a lack of providing viable alternatives.
Acting withing the structures of the international community has never hurt the US. In times where it worked in the UN it of course still pushed its own idea of world stability, ecomony and so on, but so do others. The main problem with the US is that they loose the moral high ground they had for so long after the World War 2 (and had it right). Nobody believes a hippocryt, who says one thing and does the other.
_certainly not because they’re genetically more violent, you rascist ““ I’ve read former posts from you in this website, there’s no way denieing you ARE one)_
Care to name some?