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  #111 (permalink)  
Old 04-08-2008, 02:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Dom1 View Post
But you agreed that Christianity played a major role in the foundation of America. You also agreed that the Founders knew this was the case and that it was the case both prior ot and after the foundation of our nation.

Furthermore, the American Revolution was the only Revolution where the established churches were on the side of the Revolution.

I am a secularist and agnostic, however the role of religion in the Revolution cannot be denied.
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  #112 (permalink)  
Old 04-08-2008, 02:40 PM
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As for Nom Chomsky I cannot say I am a expert on his work. I have read a couple of his books in my day as well as caught a lecture or two of his on FSTV or LINK TV.

I could be reading into what he says what I want to hear, but what i heard is the following.

He supports education fully for all human beings.

He supports sustainable economies where resources that are renewable are preferred above finite ones.

He supports good stewardship of the planet.

He believes all people are entitled to food, water, and a way to make a living and put a roof over their heads.

He believes governments and corporations should be regulated so that profit is not the holy grail, instead profit should be made ethically with all of the above concerns kept in mind.

He believes that war ought to always be the last choice.

I agree with all of the above.
Those separate statements are fine and even desirable, however it is how he links them together that I have issues with. That and the details. The devil lives in them.

Take pacificism. Great idea, and I firmly believe in non-agression as a general rule. However, pacificism only works if both sides believe in it. If they don't then pacificism, far from being a virtue, is a horrible horrible evil.

It is the age old problem of idealism. Good to be idealistic, and good to work for it, however one should not discount realism in the process.
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  #113 (permalink)  
Old 04-08-2008, 02:52 PM
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I agree , if somebody is going to attack me or mine they best come armed for bear to do it. Because I will defend myself and mine. The mine being more important as my own life is mine to give or lay down as I please. I would not make that decision for people I care about.


But the just war doctrine established by the churches suits me fine as a basis for war.

If Chomsky is a complete pacifist I have never caught that in his books or the lectures I have heard.

In truth no man or woman can truly say they are a pacifist. They might be surprised what they would do when faced by a man trying to kill them. That pacifism might run right out the door and self preservation kick in. Or at least the preservation of others become a concern as it should.
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  #114 (permalink)  
Old 04-08-2008, 03:03 PM
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I agree , if somebody is going to attack me or mine they best come armed for bear to do it. Because I will defend myself and mine. The mine being more important as my own life is mine to give or lay down as I please. I would not make that decision for people I care about.


But the just war doctrine established by the churches suits me fine as a basis for war.

If Chomsky is a complete pacifist I have never caught that in his books or the lectures I have heard.

In truth no man or woman can truly say they are a pacifist. They might be surprised what they would do when faced by a man trying to kill them. That pacifism might run right out the door and self preservation kick in. Or at least the preservation of others become a concern as it should.
I used the pacifism argument because I think it demostrates what I dislike about Chomsky - the lack of context and proportion. Chomsky is one of those people who all too clearly sees the faults of his own country (and trust me there are more than enough faults), but fails to see the faults in others.

Did the US do horrible things in the cold war, yes, but the russians did more things worse, and the world is better off that the US won and russia lost. Chomsky thinks differently. Now does this justify what the US did? Partially, but not fully. Could the US have been better? Yes. These are legitimate points, but at the same time proportion has to be considered. The world is not about right or wrong, it is about better and worse. The US for all its sins was better than Russia. Our support in South Korea involved supporting military dictators who butchered dissidents, but it enabled South Korea to become what it is today, whereas the support of Russia for the North has led it to being what it is today. Which county is better off? Chomsky, because of his misguided idealism would argue the North.

That is my issue with him. Blind idealism leads to horrible results.
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  #115 (permalink)  
Old 04-08-2008, 03:07 PM
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He supports education fully for all human beings.

How will this be accomplished? Who will pay for the education? Will the teachers be expected to work for free or will we just tax everyone to pay for it? How much education is fully? Must everyone be a Rhodes Scholar or a math major?

He supports sustainable economies where resources that are renewable are preferred above finite ones.

Define "sustainable economy. How will such an economy work? How will labor be distributed? How will technology be advanced?

He supports good stewardship of the planet.
Define good stewardship. How will good stewardship intertwine with a "sustainable" economy?

He believes all people are entitled to food, water, and a way to make a living and put a roof over their heads.

How will food, water and a way to make a living be established? Who is responsibile for providing these entitlements? Will the farmer be expected to give food away for free? How will the roof over one's head be built? Will builders be expected to contribute their labor and goods for free?

He believes governments and corporations should be regulated so that profit is not the holy grail, instead profit should be made ethically with all of the above concerns kept in mind.

Regulated by who? How much profit will be allowed and who will determine who is allowed that profit?

He believes that war ought to always be the last choice.

I agree with this in principle but apparently many on the left believe war is never to be a choice under any circumstances

I agree with all of the above.
Chromsky is a communist and should be discounted on that basis alone
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  #116 (permalink)  
Old 04-08-2008, 03:12 PM
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Strange but I have heard Chomsky decry the current russian attempt to indoctrinate their youth that the US is the great satan . In particular he condemned those russian summer camps they hold for all youths where Bush is depicted dressed as a whore and the US as the worst country on earth.

I have also heard him speak out against the abuses of third world governments against their own people many times.

I do not perceive Chomsky as speaking out against only the US at all. I perceive he speaks out against the ill treatment of citizens no matter which government is doing the wrong.

Perhaps you should read his books again Soho. Pick one that doesn't just deal with the US. He will tell you the abuse of governments against their citizens is rampant the world over.





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Originally Posted by TakuanSoho View Post
I used the pacifism argument because I think it demostrates what I dislike about Chomsky - the lack of context and proportion. Chomsky is one of those people who all too clearly sees the faults of his own country (and trust me there are more than enough faults), but fails to see the faults in others.

Did the US do horrible things in the cold war, yes, but the russians did more things worse, and the world is better off that the US won and russia lost. Chomsky thinks differently. Now does this justify what the US did? Partially, but not fully. Could the US have been better? Yes. These are legitimate points, but at the same time proportion has to be considered. The world is not about right or wrong, it is about better and worse. The US for all its sins was better than Russia. Our support in South Korea involved supporting military dictators who butchered dissidents, but it enabled South Korea to become what it is today, whereas the support of Russia for the North has led it to being what it is today. Which county is better off? Chomsky, because of his misguided idealism would argue the North.

That is my issue with him. Blind idealism leads to horrible results.
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  #117 (permalink)  
Old 04-08-2008, 03:16 PM
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Chromsky is a communist and should be discounted on that basis alone

Nothing wrong with the idea of communism Nathan.

What is wrong is that it has never been implemented correctly.

I doubt men are capable of ever implementing a program where all men are actually treated equally so communism is a lost cause.


But again Nathan your showing your under education Norm Chomsky is no communist. Chomsky is of jewish ancestry. .
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  #118 (permalink)  
Old 04-08-2008, 03:17 PM
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Originally Posted by wvpeach View Post
Strange but I have heard Chomsky decry the current russian attempt to indoctrinate their youth that the US is the great satan . In particular he condemned those russian summer camps they hold for all youths where Bush is depicted dressed as a whore and the US as the worst country on earth.

I have also heard him speak out against the abuses of third world governments against their own people many times.

I do not perceive Chomsky as speaking out against only the US at all. I perceive he speaks out against the ill treatment of citizens no matter which government is doing the wrong.

Perhaps you should read his books again Soho. Pick one that doesn't just deal with the US. He will tell you the abuse of governments against their citizens is rampant the world over.
Actually have back in the 80's, but eventually I will need a refresher.

The issue isn't that Chomsky doesn't speak out against these things, rather the proportion of blame he assigns. Also Russia now is not the Soviet Union, so it is okay to attack it.

As for the 3rd world countries, an interesting illustration to show my issue with Chomsky. What is Chomsky's solution for addressing the needs of the 3rd world?
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  #119 (permalink)  
Old 04-08-2008, 03:21 PM
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Nothing wrong with the idea of communism Nathan.

What is wrong is that it has never been implemented correctly.

I doubt men are capable of ever implementing a program where all men are actually treated equally so communism is a lost cause.


But again Nathan your showing your under education Norm Chomsky is no communist. Chomsky is of jewish ancestry. .
There is ABSOLUTELY something wrong with Communism. Again, idealistically perhaps not, but when translated into reality it will ALWAYS end up with totalitarianism. It HAS to by design. Who decides what "treating equally is", who will enforce it? This requires a repressive government to achieve. It requires regulation of nearly every facet of human life. In order to achieve this you need a totalitarian government, and you know what happens when that occurs.

As for Chomsky being jewish therefore not a communist. WHAT? Many leading communists were of jewish ancestry, including Karl Marx and Leon Trotsky.
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  #120 (permalink)  
Old 04-08-2008, 03:21 PM
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Originally Posted by wvpeach View Post
Nothing wrong with the idea of communism Nathan.

What is wrong is that it has never been implemented correctly.

I doubt men are capable of ever implementing a program where all men are actually treated equally so communism is a lost cause.


But again Nathan your showing your under education Norm Chomsky is no communist. Chomsky is of jewish ancestry. .

You are showing you can't read. Answer the questions I posted in red.

I only posted the last line because I needed something to make the post go thru, now go back like a good little comrade and read my questions in red.
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