Comments on: A Day to Think About the Meaning of Freedom http://thegoodatheist.net/editorial/07/04/a-day-to-think-about-the-meaning-of-freedom/ Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:13:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.3 By: vjack http://thegoodatheist.net/editorial/07/04/a-day-to-think-about-the-meaning-of-freedom/#comment-84 vjack Wed, 04 Jul 2007 16:30:39 +0000 http://thegoodatheist.net/editorial/07/04/a-day-to-think-about-the-meaning-of-freedom/#comment-84 Good post. I really would like to see my fellow Americans take a break from waving flag, blowing things up, and chanting "USA USA" in order to reflect on how to get our country back on track. I've posted some similar thoughts on the matter here: http://tinyurl.com/3bgk6z The just of it is that I'd like to see us lead by example rather than by arrogance and imperialism. Good post. I really would like to see my fellow Americans take a break from waving flag, blowing things up, and chanting “USA USA” in order to reflect on how to get our country back on track. I’ve posted some similar thoughts on the matter here: http://tinyurl.com/3bgk6z

The just of it is that I’d like to see us lead by example rather than by arrogance and imperialism.

]]> By: Joanna http://thegoodatheist.net/editorial/07/04/a-day-to-think-about-the-meaning-of-freedom/#comment-85 Joanna Mon, 09 Jul 2007 01:40:06 +0000 http://thegoodatheist.net/editorial/07/04/a-day-to-think-about-the-meaning-of-freedom/#comment-85 Yes, we Americans must seem very arrogant from the perspectives of the international community and the folks to our northern and southern borders! I enjoyed your post and it made me think more about this timely topic of "patriotism" and "nationalism". The whole immigration debate here is such an embarrassment....a country that is supposed to be so welcoming to new citizens is acting like the complete opposite....only giving opportunities to people that can prove their economic worth, rather than finding them intrinsically valuable! Time to shut down the Statue of Liberty...it's just a symbol afterall. So much for the American Dream. (And this was the only domestic policy that I ever agreed with Bush on!) And it failed to get the votes necessary to pass. That was disappointing. It had its faults but I thought it was at least a step in the right direction. Recently I've been reading an old book by Woodrow Wilson titled , "The New Freedom", and it really makes me feel fortunate that the literary works of great statesmen (and women) are available to enjoy....people that write from the heart, as proud citizens. And great human beings. So much of what Wilson wrote in the early 1900's still rings true today. Seeking the ideals of progress and widespread prosperity. Not allowing "big business" to rule us or to own our public servants, the people that are supposed to represent OUR interests. Maybe you could dismiss this as patriotism or sentimentality but it's something more...a hope for a better future. Not just for fellow Americans here in the U.S. but for the entire world community. That idea of being a beacon of light...an example of how to behave and prosper and help others do the same. Not by imposing it, but by offering it freely to those that want it. I would never promote proselytizing...... : ) We are eternal optimists and idealists for the most part. Trying to look on the bright side. And that spirit of adventure....our enterprising nature lives on. ( We don't mean to act like imperialists...but sure end up in a bad spotlight in places like the Middle East....our intentions to "sow the seeds of democracy" have not born fruit, that's for certain...but rather anger/resentment/hatred/death...we aren't successful at transplanting the seeds, I guess). Our decision to invade Iraq was a huge military blunder...we had such high hopes. To promote democratic ideals and free the Iraqi people from tyranny. It has become such a nightmare when compared to our previous diplomatic gains under Clinton, internationally speaking. A kind of "shoot first, ask questions later" aspect can be applied to our mouths these days as well as our Cowboy mentality. I think that is the major flaw in our "national character"....we're just so darn sure about our ideas and principles and values that we come across as rigid and stubborn (and arrogant). Best characterized by Bush's famous "You're either with us or against us" statement. And we fail to learn from past mistakes....or to see the value in learning from previous generations and other countries experiences... our impact on global events. Sometimes there seems to be a disconnection between heart and head....often with disasterous consequences. Passionate claims of treason and bitter rivalry in our Senate and House. A secretive President and executive branch that tries to behave "above" the law...for the sake of "national security". But there are people that want to bring the two sides of this country together...the bi-partisan approach, the moderate approach. (And renewing our standing in the international community is paramount). Personally, it is very distressing for me to think of my country as divided so severely along the "cultural divide"....the reds and the blues, the left and the right. With 2008 just around the corner and so many presidential candidates to choose from, it makes it difficult to take the time to really tease out their differences and perspectives...other than Party Line: Democrats v Republicans. Wish me luck. It's going to be a bumpy ride. Yes, we Americans must seem very arrogant from the perspectives of the international community and the folks to our northern and southern borders! I enjoyed your post and it made me think more about this timely topic of “patriotism” and “nationalism”. The whole immigration debate here is such an embarrassment….a country that is supposed to be so welcoming to new citizens is acting like the complete opposite….only giving opportunities to people that can prove their economic worth, rather than finding them intrinsically valuable! Time to shut down the Statue of Liberty…it’s just a symbol afterall. So much for the American Dream. (And this was the only domestic policy that I ever agreed with Bush on!) And it failed to get the votes necessary to pass. That was disappointing. It had its faults but I thought it was at least a step in the right direction.

Recently I’ve been reading an old book by Woodrow Wilson titled , “The New Freedom”, and it really makes me feel fortunate that the literary works of great statesmen (and women) are available to enjoy….people that write from the heart, as proud citizens. And great human beings. So much of what Wilson wrote in the early 1900’s still rings true today. Seeking the ideals of progress and widespread prosperity. Not allowing “big business” to rule us or to own our public servants, the people that are supposed to represent OUR interests.

Maybe you could dismiss this as patriotism or sentimentality but it’s something more…a hope for a better future. Not just for fellow Americans here in the U.S. but for the entire world community. That idea of being a beacon of light…an example of how to behave and prosper and help others do the same. Not by imposing it, but by offering it freely to those that want it. I would never promote proselytizing…… : )

We are eternal optimists and idealists for the most part. Trying to look on the bright side. And that spirit of adventure….our enterprising nature lives on. ( We don’t mean to act like imperialists…but sure end up in a bad spotlight in places like the Middle East….our intentions to “sow the seeds of democracy” have not born fruit, that’s for certain…but rather anger/resentment/hatred/death…we aren’t successful at transplanting the seeds, I guess).

Our decision to invade Iraq was a huge military blunder…we had such high hopes. To promote democratic ideals and free the Iraqi people from tyranny. It has become such a nightmare when compared to our previous diplomatic gains under Clinton, internationally speaking. A kind of “shoot first, ask questions later” aspect can be applied to our mouths these days as well as our Cowboy mentality.

I think that is the major flaw in our “national character”….we’re just so darn sure about our ideas and principles and values that we come across as rigid and stubborn (and arrogant). Best characterized by Bush’s famous “You’re either with us or against us” statement. And we fail to learn from past mistakes….or to see the value in learning from previous generations and other countries experiences… our impact on global events. Sometimes there seems to be a disconnection between heart and head….often with disasterous consequences. Passionate claims of treason and bitter rivalry in our Senate and House. A secretive President and executive branch that tries to behave “above” the law…for the sake of “national security”.

But there are people that want to bring the two sides of this country together…the bi-partisan approach, the moderate approach. (And renewing our standing in the international community is paramount). Personally, it is very distressing for me to think of my country as divided so severely along the “cultural divide”….the reds and the blues, the left and the right. With 2008 just around the corner and so many presidential candidates to choose from, it makes it difficult to take the time to really tease out their differences and perspectives…other than Party Line: Democrats v Republicans. Wish me luck. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.

]]> By: Rohit Sidhu http://thegoodatheist.net/editorial/07/04/a-day-to-think-about-the-meaning-of-freedom/#comment-1745 Rohit Sidhu Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:37:09 +0000 http://thegoodatheist.net/editorial/07/04/a-day-to-think-about-the-meaning-of-freedom/#comment-1745 That's the problem with capitalism, corporations control government. But in communism the government is the corporation. Both are seemingly perfect in theory: Capitalism : To promote individual business, to create competition to improve quality and standard of life. Ends up with one or a few company on top with a monopoly and super high prices that could be dirt cheap if there was actual competition. Communism: To create equality among the people, same pay, choice of job, massing of product by single entity resulting in lower quality product. What I think would be perfect would be a balance of the two. Implement some aspects of capitalism into communism, and make a way so that their is no chance for dishounesty, because that's what gets us in the end, human nature (desire for power, money etc), greed, envy. For example look at Norway, they have an amazing government, leaning towards communism, but not completely. That’s the problem with capitalism, corporations control government. But in communism the government is the corporation.
Both are seemingly perfect in theory:
Capitalism : To promote individual business, to create competition to improve quality and standard of life. Ends up with one or a few company on top with a monopoly and super high prices that could be dirt cheap if there was actual competition.
Communism: To create equality among the people, same pay, choice of job, massing of product by single entity resulting in lower quality product.

What I think would be perfect would be a balance of the two. Implement some aspects of capitalism into communism, and make a way so that their is no chance for dishounesty, because that’s what gets us in the end, human nature (desire for power, money etc), greed, envy.
For example look at Norway, they have an amazing government, leaning towards communism, but not completely.

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