Sound Off...: The All Feedback Edition
Posted by Shane Viars on 01.20.2006
What are my views on abortion? How do you challenge an opinion? Can ANYONE use proper grammar? All this and more...
Here I sit, it almost being Thursday, and I plum forgot that today was Wednesday. So, I am typing this column quite late, and I apologize to any and all who read it.
But, for the first time EVER here at 411Mania, I get to do this… (Note; spelling, grammar and punctuation not edited. E-mails are copied directly from my inbox).
Mail Time…Mail Time…Mail Time…MAIL TIME!
Kenny F. sends me this gem;
As a liberial democrat...I believe your so full of shit. now, go back and suck on the dick of bill orielly.
Kenny; if you're going to insult me, please use correct grammar and spelling…and punctuation. You're giving a really bad name to your democratic buddies.
Samuel Howard had this to say…
Ideals are only guidelines, not a solution. In forming your beliefs, you only factor in those who abuse the system. How do you suggest responsible single/divorced/widowed mothers raise their children without government assistance? Give details. Should she neglect them to work 40+ hrs?
Then there's your reflexive parroting of how unfair it is for hardworking members of the middle class to solve other people's problems. I happen to agree - it's not fair. Life genrally isn't. But I wonder why you single out the middle class. The working poor and the working rich also kick a little in, don't they? Let's avoid talking points - they're simply a government handout for the lazy mind.
The questions on the table are - do we as a functional society have a responsibility to help those in need? If so, when? How much? Your answers to those questions will reveal more about you than which labels you choose to embrace.
Then there's the small matter of afirmative action to consider...but hey, it'll take me several hours to research a responsible case for it (I prefer neurology and economics over philosophy), and I have no idea whether you're even reading me right now...
Either way, thanks for the column. I thought conservative politics and liberal morality were practically extinct - it's reassuring to see someone make a case for both...
As far as welfare goes; it would be idiotic for me to say EVERYONE abuses the system. What I think we should do is this; if we're giving the people the money, make them work for it. Give them some sort of government job that any schmuck on the street can do. It isn't that hard. I think that these people get paid to do nothing, and if they get paid more for each additional dependent that they have, it almost becomes an incentive to have a child…or twelve.
I firmly believe that this government in all of its aspects should be individualized. I think we put too much focus on groups of people, and sections of people, rather than on individuals. We treat people according to whatever social grouping, economic grouping, or political grouping that they fall into. I think that when I become rich, I shouldn't have to give so much to welfare. I personally WOULD donate to charities, only because I would then choose where my money goes. It's ridiculous that my money gets handed to these lazy people who claim that they are "victims of their environment." I'm a strong supporter that anyone can overcome any adversity. To blame your woes on your upbringing or social status shows that you're not trying to better your situation. I don't think the average American citizen should have to support your typical welfare queen, or any other person on welfare. Most people on welfare are on it because they feel that certain jobs are beneath them. I have friends who REFUSE TO HAVE JOBS in the fast food industry, and rather than work or attend college, they sit at home all day, feeling that working in fast food isn't up to their standards. I worked at a fast food joint for a year and a half, and am considering doing so again if my current job situation doesn't improve. Work is work; money all spends the same. Nobody regards the value of a dollar, and my dad has taught me just what that means.
In the case of Affirmative Action, I say this; it's perpetuating racism. To your average, hard working white kid to get denied entrance to a University because said school has to maintain a certain percentage of ethnic students, it's not fair. If we're trying to spread the message of equality, the first thing that we have to do is GET RID OF THE THINGS THAT SEPARATE US! "Oh, you're a minority; here's a free pass!" I'm sorry, but, uh, no? So your great-great-great grandmother was a slave. Why should I have to suffer because of the close-mindedness of a generation that was dead before my parents were alive? If people want racial equality, they need to re-examine their own lives. Aside from the moronic bigots who populate some of this country, your average white person gets along FINE with minorities. We aren't "afraid," "worried," or any other negative adjective. Yet people push these prejudices forward, on all sides of the equation. Anytime a racial slur is uttered, BY ANYONE, it just continues enforcing the idea that we're all different, and we should stay that way. I'm not a hippie by any means, but we do need to start treating one another better. And this will begin once everyone is TRULY EQUAL. Remember kids, racism works like a two-way street.
I stand by the fact that I am socially liberal and politically republican. I appreciate the e-mail. Feel free to e-mail again.
Jeremy wants to know something that I accidentally left out of last week's column…
Great column with interesting points. I'm still a democrat though. But I wanted to ask you. What are your views on abortion?
Yes! I totally forgot to mention this last week and I apologize. I am Pro-Choice all the way. To quote a great character from a hysterically funny film; "A woman's body's her own damn business." I don't think that anyone should be saying that a woman cannot make up her own mind about bearing a child. If you can't trust her with a choice, how can you trust her with a child? I am NOT saying that this is a good method of birth control, but accidents happen. I know someone, who if she got pregnant, would more than likely DIE because of it. Should she not be allowed to have an abortion in case something happened? What if a girl is raped? A-ha, see, that always changes the tune, doesn't it? Regardless; if a woman doesn't want a pregnancy, she should abort it. Better before life than when the child is born and leaving it in a dumpster.
In related news; I also think that minors shouldn't need parental consent, nor should parents even be informed when their daughter gets an abortion. Teenage girls get yelled at enough by their parents; can you imagine if they needed to ask for their parents to take them to a doctor for an abortion? The sex talk isn't easy for kids to say, so they often take unknowing risks when it comes to sex. So, if a 17 year old girl wants an abortion, let her have it.
ABORTIONS FOR EVERYONE! (That was a JOKE, kids).
Norman Nauni sends me this insanely long, one giant paragraph of fun…
Wow...you sound like me! and you know....at first I thought liberal republican was an oxymoron, but I realized that it totally explained the way I believe even though I got these funny looks from people trying to fathom what a liberal republican is....after a while....I found out that we are libertarians or believe very similar to libertarians. one of the bad things about my position is that I am totally out of whack politically with my family and friends....in fact...it makes me not say a whole lot just because I don't want to start arguements about whose right and wrong. My only thing was that I got tired of partisan politics....to me....neither side has a monopoly on the truth. Politically....I am a registered Democrat like my whole family and friends but that will change this year. Realistically, I think Libertarian (most of the time but am not constrained to that party, therefore, I'm an independent) and I look at each issue by itself and judge it based on the facts and logic...It's probably where I get my conservative views from..(conservatives do this better than liberals IMHO)..it just seems to me that doing things based on your feelings can sometimes be ass-backwards....like affirmative action.....I don't agree with it even though I am a minority that will probably benefit from it at some future job....but it is race based and therefore...judges based on color.....the exact thing we shouldn't want....I think all things should be based on the best person for the job no matter what color they are....it is just this one issue...that I got a arguement with my sister who was shocked....it was these little trips by the familia that led me to be silent politically...at least around my real world surroundings....but on the net...I am truly myself.....just like you are... Just one question....are you somewhat excited about Alito possibly replacing O'Connor?
Again, glad to see some POSCOMs (That's, "Pos"itive "Com"ments. Hooray for my World Lit Teacher in H.S., Mr. O.) Republicans tend to get the job done most of the time. This movie came out some time ago, with Cameron Diaz, called "Last Supper," which was watched in my Ethics class last semester. These five grad students (democrats) invite people with conflicting views over, and if they disagree on something, they kill them. Why? Because they decided that democrats never take real action, which is very true. Ron Perlman guest stars in it, so it's worth taking a look at. But, as I was saying, republicans tend to get things done. They may not always take the best course, but at least they take one.
And as far as my opinion on Alito go? Well, that will all be taken care of next week. Suffice it to say that the Democrats should be ASHAMED of themselves for the way that they handled the entire situation. They attacked the man on a personal level that had nothing to do with him being a good judge or not. And some time ago, many democrats spoke up saying Alito would someday make a great Supreme Court justice.
Another congratulatory e-mail…
I wanted to let you know that I enjoyed your article. I agree with you on most of these issues. I am glad that there is someone articulate enough to express them and not sound like a fool.
Congratualtiosn and keep up the good work.
Out here.
Andrew DiNunzio
I love praise, so keep it coming. This serves as nothing but to inflate my ego. This, according to the C4L boys (inside joke) is bigger than anything imaginable.
Michael Flake has this lovely bit for me to slice down…
The oath from your article contains many broad words without specific meanings. What a person does is more important that what a person claims to believe in. Tell me, can anyone honestly say that the Congressional Republicans and the President have led a responsible and ethical government? Has G. Bush ever vetoed a spending bill? Is a secret government really what the framers had in mind? Do the people trust goverment more now than before the Republicans took over? I think we all know the answer to that. It's one thing to talk about values, and it's another thing to embody the values. Tom Delay has been the heart and soul of the Republican Party for over a decade. He's the man who believes power and money are more important than anything that is actually accomplished. Doesn't that say it all?
Regarding your "liberal" ideas, you cannot separate social views from political views. Most legislation has an underlying social context to it. Was the 1995 Defense of Marriage Act a social or political act? They're one in the same. Try making a pro gay marriage speech at the 2008 Republican National Convention. What do you think the response would be? When you are booed out of the arena, you'll see what I mean about not being able to separate the two. That's why Rudy Guliani could never win the Republican nomination.
Finally, what does an oath mean when two people who could not agree on anything both believe the oath with all their hearts. Beware of jingoism.
Michael Flake
Not to sound like a tool, but I think your last name says it all. You're a flake, Michael. Responsible and ethical? The meaning of those words can change from one person to another. Do I think that, with the information given to him, that President Bush has done the best he can? Yes. And, not to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but I think he is being sabotaged. The CIA is a largely democratic group, and since Bush has taken office, there have been so many security and intelligence leaks. Is THAT responsible? No. Is it ethical? If it's secretly done on purpose, HELL NO! Do people TRUST the government? Did they EVER?! No! Bush had the highest approval rating of any President EVER, replacing the former highest approved president, HIS OWN FATHER. Republicans have held office for 18 of the last 26 years. To say that this country is more in favor of Democrats is a fallacy.
How can I NOT separate social and political views? I think I just did, partner. I'm very obviously Socially Liberal, yet am also very obviously Republican. Hell, Liberal Republicans had their own little section in the history of the GOP, check it out. Granted, it ended pretty badly, but still, we did it, damn it. For you to say MY beliefs cannot exist just shows how ignorant that you are, friend. Clearly my beliefs exist, otherwise I couldn't have them. How can you ever tell someone that their opinion is wrong? Get back to me on that one, chief.
Well, that's going to wrap it up for my all reader feedback edition of Sound Off. I will be back next week with my thoughts on the Samuel Alito fiasco, and what I think is wrong with the Senate Confirmation Trials. And also bring up newly elected S.C. Justice John Roberts' first case (yeah, he was on the losing end of it, heh…). So, join me again next week, and keep those e-mails coming in. If you have any topics that you'd like me to cover, I will gladly do that as well.
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