Support and Defend the Constitution

[Bob]

Well, hello again Bob. We who do fight the wars for our freedoms will continue to protect the freedoms of all Americans, even the cowards, like you. You could never be anyones CO, you have not the courage to defend your country, much less yourself.

name the wars that protected our freedoms patrioticpapa

 

[Lake View Too]

Bobby and Matt both have great points. But I think the political discourse is much neeeded on SoWal. I've gotten a lot of good info and opinion from these threads. Because I'm typing under a silly name, I've noticed a level of snarkiness emerge that I never knew I had, and I have made an effort to control it. That's really all you have to do. Isn't there something called the "Golden Rule" that we might apply in most situations, online or otherwise?

 

[Bob]

now, there is an intelligent response. One that has nothing to do with the question. Again, when you cannot defend your position, you resort to name calling. Next, I'll be a racist, right?

you fit the prerequisites, did you fill out an application?

 

[Bob]

I too have just caught up with this epic thread.

Personally, I love the Politics Section because it offers both entertainment and impassioned discussion/debate.

This thread, I'm sure, was meant as entertainment. There have been outlandish statements written by both sides of this legendary internet hissyfit. Really, the only issue that bothers me about the political section on SoWal (this thread confirms my belief) is that so many people get away with name calling and incredibly gross mischaracterizations that only fuel the arrant bullsh*t that's flying around the airwaves.

Free Speech is just one of the many things that makes this country a shining beacon of hope for so many in this world. But I'm beginning to wonder about the merits of nameless free speech. That is, would all of you post what you post if your full name was behind your sometimes incredibly mean spirited, or just plain ignorant statements? Would Beach Ho say that our nation is truly a christian nation, when it plainly isn't, (and, please, for the love of [enter deity name of choice here], don't argue that we are a christian nation because most of the country is christian; that only gives white extremists an excuse to claim that America is a white nation because the majority of Americans are white.)

Now, I pick on Beach Ho, but there are similar statements across this board. So, I'm curious. How many of you have the cajones to put your name (and if you own a business, your business's name) behind your words? I'm certainly not an angel myself when it comes to the Poltics/Current Event threads, but my name is above everything I write. If people don't know who "Matt Christ" is, (and there are plenty, I'm sure) then they at least have something to start an internet search.

I'll get the ball rolling. My full name is Matthew Christ. I do not own a business. I am a lifelong resident of SoWal and graduated from Butler Elementary, Seaside Middle School, and South Walton High School. I wrote a column for the Walton Sun that dealt with politics about three-two years ago. Currently, I am a sophomore at the University of Florida where I write a weekly column for the Independent Florida Alligator, the largest student newspaper in the country. In fact, for almost every week for the past three years, I have written a column dealing with controversial national/local issues. Each column has had my name on it, and more than often a picture of my cheery little face. Some of my columns go on wire services and are printed in newspapers and posted on internet news sites across the country. My point? I make real sure that what I write each week is accurate and not too inciting (although to incite discussion, debate, and even sharply worded "signed" letters to the editor is part of the columnist's job description). Essentially, I ask myself if I'm alright knowing that the words I just wrote are representing my name. If not, I start hitting the delete key.

Now what about the names of most of the previous posters? It's entirely your right and freedom to write what you want, but do you have the courage and bravery to put your name behind your words/taunts/ignorance/arrogance/ libel? Are your beliefs firm enough that you'll stand by them in the living flesh? Will you put your dignity on the line?

Or will you just continue to coward behind a computer screen and a cute SoWal name? Will you go back to engaging in dialogue that's more childish then I what I remember as a middle schooler in the lunch line?

Come on big shots. If you don't, your words have little more meaning than those found on public bathroom stalls.

~Matthew Christ

mc, you've met your calling

 

[GoodWitch58]

(By the way - fire departments, police departments, etc. are not the function of the federal government, but the state.)

Okay, but it seems to me that even local governments benefit from Federal grants for all kinds of community development; emergency services, education, etc.

What about the National Guard, the military, Medicare, the Interstate Highway system...

and if it is the Federal government you fear, what exactly do you fear about it? Do you not have the same access to your Members of Congress as everyone else does? Are you actively working to let him or her know what you are concerned about?

 

[Rita]

I too have just caught up with this epic thread.

Personally, I love the Politics Section because it offers both entertainment and impassioned discussion/debate.

...............................................................

Free Speech is just one of the many things that makes this country a shining beacon of hope for so many in this world. .............................................. ~Matthew Christ

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I love to read the political forums. This message board offers much thoughtful discussion which I greatly appreciate. I get frustrated when members clone themselves and sometimes even seem to have conversations with themselves and just seem to be about inciting others with their outlandish statements. that's just me ...

As for "free speech" - I am of the opinion that some extreme posts that are brought to the board are nothing more than smear e-mail material that I would prefer not clutter the the forums here. Yes, the people have a right to believe them, forward them, shout them from their chicken coops, and put them out for all to see on their own blogs. This is a monitored message board and the owner/ monitors are not infringing on anyone's free speech if they monitor as they choose.

What I like about our message board community is that we can calm each other down and voices of reason are quick to pop up.

Thank you all for sharing you varied opinions and expanding my thinking

Hi Matt

Some of us prefer our relative privacy (especially -- if I may be so bold as to assume -- we women types). We all have our reasons and you just have to accept them.

Since your job and identity at least partly revolve around your columns and onair work, it makes much more sense for you to ID yourself than it does for someone who owns a business here and would rather not have their business name connected to their viewpoints. It's fine (and part of the great tradition of online message boards) to keep your online ID separate from your real life, however you see fit.

Kurt's policy is that people stick to one username, however. ;-) If a poster sticks around, his or her personality eventually comes through, which is what makes it funn.

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Good luck monitoring this! ....

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[30ashopper]

Okay, but it seems to me that even local governments benefit from Federal grants for all kinds of community development; emergency services, education, etc.

Sure, but this money is being distributed by state level governments. If the federal government wasn't taking this money from us, churning it through its inefficient system and then spitting out in the form of grants (based, I might add, on value propositions created by federal bureaucrats) the states would be free to increase taxes and do all this on their own. Federal taxation is nothing more than a form of monetary state control.

What about the National Guard, ..

Hmm, the nation state, working to make the state level militia federally dependent. Scary isn't it?

the military, Medicare, the Interstate Highway system...

The national military is a responsibility written into the Constitution, with heavy limitations on how it can be used. (For example, it cannot be used to police domestically.) Medicare is a byproduct of the FDR's legacy pushed through in direct violation of the Constitution, and the highway system was originally defined as a military asset, which in the end produced the byproduct of interstate commerce. One of a handful of examples in our history where something Washington did actually worked out better than expected.

and if it is the Federal government you fear, what exactly do you fear about it? Do you not have the same access to your Members of Congress as everyone else does? Are you actively working to let him or her know what you are concerned about?

Central governments should always be balanced by strong local governments. (See Hitler, Stalin, Kim Jong, Chavez, etc. for references as to why..)

 

[GoodWitch58]

I "hear" what you are posting, 30AShopper, but it is all still government. Are you telling me that you trust the Members of the Florida Legislature more than you do the Members of Congress?

I have spent many years "up close and personal" with elected officials and let me tell you there is not a dime's worth of difference between an elected county commissioner, state legislator, or member of Congress.

As a matter of fact, many times the more local it is, the greater chance there is for inappropriate behavior. I could, but I won't, offer lots of examples that would illustrate this point.

to be afraid of people who are elected to public service offices, to me means nothing. They are simply people--supposedly people we all have elected because we had some sort of trust in them to do whatever we wanted them to do.

It is up to all of us to make sure that they do not misuse the authority we have invested in them. If I was going to be fearful of any group, it would be the lobbyists who are paid big bucks to become obstacles or open doors. (just think aircraft hangars and local colleges!).

But, it makes no sense to me to spend energy in fear--much better to spend that energy in doing something positive toward whatever goal it is you want. Otherwise, it's just words, about an abstract "boogy person"....

 

[blackcreekpapa1]

I just made a simple general statement about the pros and cons of patriotism. I didn't say anything specifically about the USA or any other country. The fact that you have made this a personal matter makes your motives very questionable.

I said nothing personal, merely made a statement of fact. If it hit a little to close to home. The problem lies within you, not me.

 

[blackcreekpapa1]

The truth is sometimes an ugly thing, but it is truth nonetheless.

the old saying is Always tell the truth, but leave shortly thereafter