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Damon
Thank you for your apology. Most gracious of you. It's water under the bridge now, and let us be friends from now on
posted by
ariel70
on September 27, 2005 at 9:51 AM
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ariel...
...twas me!
Sorry.
I don't agree with all you say, but I was a bit hasty.
Sorry again.
D
posted by
DamonLeigh
on September 27, 2005 at 9:47 AM
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Debbie
It is indeed exactly like a group of querulous, fractious children arguing to and fro, and distorting, concealing and perverting the truth to support partisan arguments.
I feel very strongly that it is the duty of us all who have cool and rational heads, to endeavour to arrive at the truth as best we may, and to propagate what we perceive to be the truth in an objective manner.
Thank you for your long and interesting comment
posted by
ariel70
on September 25, 2005 at 5:44 AM
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gomedome
To date, I have been most assiduous in my posts in not commenting, for or against, Bush or any of his foreign or domestic policies ( despite this, Bush being portrayed as “ my hero” by a certain intemperate blogger. )For this is a subject that requires considerable in-depth thought, and some research. I don’t think it can be properly dealt with in mere comments, and one day, no doubt, I shall make my views known in a post.
Leaving that aside ; what is to be done about Islamic terrorism? This began a long, long time before 9/11, and clearly the first atrocity revealed Islam’s intention to go to war with the west. Should the west ignore this challenge, and hope that it’ll go away? There is a belief among a large body of American public opinion, carefully fostered by liberal opinion-formers to support its own agenda, that the Iraq war has opened a hornet’s nest ; whereas this existed prior to the outbreak of that war. al-Qa’eda was up and raring to go long before this. So, should this just be ignored, in hopes that they’d just go away?
I have been reading of late various articles in British publications that paint a vastly different picture from that put forth by the British – and more particularly the American – media. These articles lead me to believe that there are large areas of Iraq that are relatively peaceful ; a thing that I had suspected, and mentioned in my post. It was the same in Northern Ireland, where terrorism was a mainly urban phenomenon, but we were led falsely to believe that the entire Province was in a state of violence.
Apart from its financial impact upon American public finances, and its polarizing effects upon American society, the war has no relevance to domestic policies ; and should be left out of any arguments about it.
posted by
ariel70
on September 25, 2005 at 5:39 AM
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You know
...as I'm sure people have noticed I tend to lean to the left and I am.... shall we say... not fond of this president.
I also have learned something here on Blogit. I realize there are people on both sides that distort arguments to the point of making up their own facts. That to me is very aggravating and it's counterproductive. I had always thought, after watching Fox News and listening to Hate radio, that it was a right wing phenomenon. Now I see it on the left also. Is this just to balance the right? I don't know.
Regardless, how can we ever reach a consensus opinion if we can't trust what we're being fed? Everything we read we have to take with a grain of salt and many times check to be sure what we are hearing is fact. We even have to go beyond the facts to check context and be sure the whole story is being told.
It kind of reminds me of my weaning years when I would sit around the dinner table, everyone would be talking at the same time, but no one would be listening. LOL. It was wierd.
Reading your posts, I am impressed by the lack of sensational language. The content also indicates you are much more educated on world affairs than I and there is a lot I can learn from reading you.
Anyway, that's sort of a long winded apology for my colleague on the left. Later.
posted by
DebbieDowner
on September 24, 2005 at 2:01 PM
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I think people around here have been "on one," lately!!!
Not ALL people, mind you--but enough to make the rest of us feel the tension. It's happened to me, too...chin up. You write well, and many of us enjoy reading what you have to say...
~LB~ :-)
posted by
Anony_Miss
on September 24, 2005 at 1:29 PM
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Hello, I have been reading your articles and I need not state here that I have noticed your objectivity which is courageous a feat.Honestly I am trying but I am not for my expirinces are now my guide. It is a pity that some one could shamelessly transform your point of view. However, you need not get angry nor even respond for I think it gives the distorter some undeserved credits. Be strong and stand firm by your philosophy of neutrality and objectivity.
posted by
Flame-thrower
on September 24, 2005 at 12:09 AM
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ariel70 -- let's talk further on the formation and enabling of Al Queda
I am not of the US political environment so the chips can fall wherever they fall. I am unbiased. Your 2 part history lesson does not need to be dead nuts accurate, as the themes presented themselves quite well. Some of us read it and understood every word you were saying. It is a piece that stands entirely on it's own merits. I just feel that two important points were left out. 1. Prior to 911, Al Queda was actually losing ground as a viable organization in the Arab world. Osama Bin Laden needed a quick popularity boost and managed to do it in spades by taking the fight to America. This polarized Arab sentiment and raised a bum of a wannabe clergyman with all of his cronies to the Status of folk hero overnight. Great, now we have a masterstroke from an underdog combatant. It was also bait...a big large trolling bait...the kind you see in coastal cities. And the dumb bastards bit. That was all dumb bastards of all political persuasions but who is in the white house at that moment? A born again Christian. Ooops, Instant holy war, nothing the Arab world likes more than an instant holy war. A trek into Afghanistan was necessary and could have been far more successful but unbridled ambition and a healthy dollop of naievete that decided to clean up the entire middle east prevailed. Dumb bastards strike again. The self declared enemy is already polarized, they already have their wannabe martyr to turn into the next coming of Allah (who never seems to be in the line of fire, he must be hanging onto his martyrdom for old age) Isn't that enough damage to winning hearts and minds? 2. In comes the invaders from the west, a day late and a nickle short, they march into Iraq armed with a high tech army and an advertising campaign entitled ...you guessed it: Winning the Hearts and minds of the Iraqui people. Scary stuff. They had enabled a bum of a wannabe clergy to the status of martyr for the entire religion of Islam by letting him beat them to the punch. Pissing off Islam has always been proven to be unwise. Dumb bastards.
posted by
gomedome
on September 23, 2005 at 7:54 PM
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Ariel, hey, I haven't followed, so not sure who this was about, but I'm
sorry it happened to you...I know how it feels.
posted by
Ariala
on September 23, 2005 at 7:21 PM
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Ariel - You are a gentleman, a scholar (yes you are), and a wise, though...
reluctant debater.
posted by
reasons
on September 23, 2005 at 4:57 PM
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ariel
Seems it happens a lot around here.....I'm sorry that it happened to you. Cheer up and welcome!!
posted by
TIMMYTALES
on September 23, 2005 at 4:11 PM
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Ariel,
I certainly agree with your right to speak out about being misunderstood, perhaps intentionally, by another blogger. It is extremely irritating. Your rebuttal was in order and well done.
The thing that I can't quit thinking about is Spanish with a Cockney accent. I have heard it with a Chinese accent, which was quite unique, but I haven't heard Cockney/Spanish. It must be quite a listen.
jj
posted by
Jack_Flash
on September 23, 2005 at 4:03 PM
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Maybe readers so read your posts very carefully but find it tough to comment. Different impressions might not seem so clear to the writer.
Ann.
posted by
A-and-B
on September 23, 2005 at 3:41 PM
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"accent sounds high class"!
I must disagree it is not high class, The European male I give my highest regards, the respect for a Lady and also the ability to disagree with the kindest of Etiquette. Most, not all American male has lost this ability of respect.
posted by
Jillians.New-Beginning
on September 23, 2005 at 12:45 PM
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Reni
Really? Er ... so we are forgiven for that little misunderstanding between us in 1776, then?
posted by
ariel70
on September 23, 2005 at 12:28 PM
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ariel--You forget, dear, that I am American. To us, even a cockney
accent sounds high class!
And BTW--Education does not guarantee intelligence.
posted by
Renigade
on September 23, 2005 at 12:25 PM
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Ariel, I'll say it again...U have a Great Command of the English Language..
Everyone is entitled to an opinion, and yes, some writers here do not even read a person's post, but do click to say hello, which is fine by me...I am a Clinton supporter and I dislike Pres. Bush, and I don't always agree with you, but you state your points quite well. There shouldn't be any contempt held for another writer's views. I hope you have settled this, Ariel. I hope we can all learn from it, too.
posted by
MedusaNextDoor
on September 23, 2005 at 12:24 PM
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Probably not. I don't look my name up.
posted by
scriber
on September 23, 2005 at 12:16 PM
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renigade
Oh, thank you!
But actually, I left school at 14 in 1945 with no qualifications, so I'm a self-taught writer. And I do have a pronounced London cockney accent. But one does try LOL
posted by
ariel70
on September 23, 2005 at 12:10 PM
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ariel--Unfortunately one of the downfalls of Blogit is that other
bloggers will inevitably twist your words to their own agendas or preconceived notions. Some do it just to feel superior...
Most who read you know of your attention to detail and your ability to provide facts to back up your beliefs. So, an irrational blogger such as this can cause you no harm. Nor can he/she undermine your reputation.
And congratulations... Your rebuttal was so polite--yet perfectly aimed--that it just OOOOZED of an elite British accent (despite being written).
I stand in humble awe...
posted by
Renigade
on September 23, 2005 at 12:04 PM
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Jillian
Indeed so. But it is a facet of human nature that is to be deplored by all right-minded and tolerant people, and we should all do our best to stamp it out.
Thank you for your support
posted by
ariel70
on September 23, 2005 at 11:43 AM
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I can understand your views, I couldn't agree with you more, but as we both know that is human nature and unfortuanatley it is everywhere even here.
posted by
Jillians.New-Beginning
on September 23, 2005 at 11:26 AM
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Jillian
I take you point, and normally I would ignore such trash. But this was too outrageous even for me
posted by
ariel70
on September 23, 2005 at 11:22 AM
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This seems to be a trend in here I have seen it myself a time or two. Usually you can read between the lines and if you are a logical thinker you will reach the correct conclusio. You can fuel the fire too and watch it spread. After you plant the seed just once then watch how it grows in here.
posted by
Jillians.New-Beginning
on September 23, 2005 at 11:20 AM
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scriber
I came across it by accident, saw my name and had to stop and read it. Wouldn't you???
posted by
ariel70
on September 23, 2005 at 10:53 AM
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why did u read it?
posted by
scriber
on September 23, 2005 at 10:51 AM
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blackcat
Thanks for you comment. You really ought to read it, just to see how abominable this was. I'm furious!
posted by
ariel70
on September 23, 2005 at 10:47 AM
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ariel... I didn't see the original post, but I can see why you'd be upset..
don't worry, I always refer back to the original post to form my own conclusions. Things get far too twisted otherwise.
posted by
-blackcat
on September 23, 2005 at 10:44 AM
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