Sir Bandelot

I agree with your points, even the very last one. The bigger issue to me is, if we're going to make a decision based on discrimination for these reasons, let's at least be honest and admit to ourselves why. Not cover it up with soft words like, "that would be insensitive".

My point exactly.

Would I want to live in the house where those murders were commited, No. Would I be willing to work at the new WTC site, Yes. Would I like to go to visit it, yes. Do I think there's anything wrong with building a new mosqu several blocks away, no.

Thousands of people will work at the new site, once it's built.

The meat is used in pet food. There is a tendency to feel pity for young animals that are killed. Yet this is most common in nature, it's one reason why animals often have large numbers of young. Think fish, etc. There is a proliferation of young that are born, to increase the chances of survival of just one or two to become adults, and this is a normal part of the food chain. The same goes for animals like birds, and seals. It seems cruel to kill an innocent baby seal but it's the way the biosphere naturally works.

part of the argument for using real fur and animal hide vs. synthetic stuff... unfortunately the synthetic becomes more of a hazardous waste when it enters the environment. Real organic products break down better. thus they are more "green". Not saying I like it. Just sayin

What do you mean. Because people died there? I believe they are constructing a memorial centre and museum on part of the WTC site. But they are also constructing several new buildings right on the site as well, including the "One World Trade Center". So it's not a problem to build new structures on the very site where many people died. And apparently the mosque is a bit further away than this, so.

Well I've been reading up on seal hunting today and i'm inclined to believe it's a purely emotional issue. Evidence given by some of the finest conservationists and organizations agrees that the use of the Hakapik is humane and should be continued, that there's no current danger to the seal population, but that proper training and techniques of killing should be followed to minimize suffering. Studies done by the World Wildlife Federation conclude that seal hunting is at least as humane as slaughterhouses, and if done properly is more humane. The animal dies virtually instantaneously. Of course anything can happen during hunting, and animals can be wounded and escape only to suffer and die more slowly. Mistakes are also made in the slaughterhouses. If you really care about animals, consider stopping eating meat entirely. I could show you pictures of tormented looking chickens, they know they're headed for the big family bucket at the kernels. But once they're cooked all crispy and golden brown, most people who cry about cute seals have no problem chowing down on them. In 1978, Marine ecologist Jacques Cousteau criticized the focus on the seal hunt, arguing that it is entirely emotional. "We have to be logical. We have to aim our activity first to the endangered species. Those who are moved by the plight of the harp seal could also be moved by the plight of the pig - the way they are slaughtered is horrible."[ What's for dinner tonight, AW?

Yeah that makes a whole lot of sense. Why do people think that it's worse to kill the baby ones anyway? Just because they're babies? Killin's killin.

News from Marjah still all bad. Maybe Obama does not know how to conduct a proper surge. Or maybe no one actually gives a heck anymore. Farmers from the district of Marja, which since February has been the focus of the largest American-led military operation in Afghanistan, are fleeing the area, saying that the Taliban are terrorizing the population and that American troops cannot protect the civilians. The uneasy standoff in Marja provides a stark lesson in the challenges of eliminating a patient and deeply rooted insurgency. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/17/world/asia/17marja.html?hp Beginning of the end? Yes, one way or another.

Every point made here, goes both ways.

Of course you will. America is many things but never boring. Kinda like an attention whore

Rube n. Slang An unsophisticated country person. Yeah I kinda like that, good ole country common sense. Not you're slicker nouveau cuisine eatin liberal city boy. See your problem is you really got no position. I come in and say, America is a police state complete with a stazi style spy class, and you say no it's not. Then I lead you on by saying America is land of the free and you say, no it's not. Then I say, yeah you're right it's not and you say, yeah it is. Then you take a cheap shot at me. If you were a woman I'd say, lets get married baby, we were made for each other!

And if you say you don't eat those animals, but you eat things like cheese, you are eating rennet. Made from the stomachs of slaughtered young animals. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rennet

Yet at our grocerie stores we can buy veal, spring lamb and young turkeys. No different

Yes exactly comrade... that's why I started this here thread. To disillusion the fools who actually live there

I think you're right, America is a police state that incarcerates more people than any other country in the world, it's history is rife with oppression but portrays itslef with an illusion of freedom. That's why I prefer to stay here in Canada, the true north strong and free. Hahhhh...

Yeah I know. I wonder what Thomas Jefferson would say about the state of liberty in the US today. Sean Connery is Scottish. And Nicholas Cage's parents are from Germany and Italy. But I would not exclude myself from watching a movie, just because it's American

I saw it on TV. "The Rock" with Nicholas Cage and Sean Connery.

Yes. Yes. Yes! It does now. Because of gradual and perpetual erosion. And it's small changes like this that do it, over a long time. That's why the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots...

We're all going to pay, one way or another. So much of this shit is building up in the water system, it will pollute the entire water table. Lots of people are gonna die http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37171468/ns/us_news-the_new_york_times/

They should be scrutinized for every penny they spend, and the reports made available to the public in full detail. The same goes for any organizations that receive public money, including hospitals. There is an elite class of administrators that believe they're entitled to help themselves to public money, while forcing those beneath them to make do with less and less. I note I can only claim 15% of my non-taxable income now. Seems to me it used to be 17.

Yeah but they might be, you know like, laughing too much. "Reactor's melting down!!!...

You are not alone. However it becomes darn near impossible when almost everything, non-food items, are made in China. Or India or Pakistan. I don't like to bu stuff thats made in far away lands where I know they don't have quality control regulations, and where they use child labour or pay the workers 10 cents a day. But that's the very reason WHY these items are so readily available now. The corporate whores have sold us. As to Seal hunt, not sure what the OP is looking for specifically. I have never eaten Seal meat nor ever seen it in the grocery store. If I did I probably wouldn't eat it. I just like usual stuff, not that curious to eat something like that. I note Michaelle Jean seemed to enjoy eating the raw seal heart though, wolfing down bloody mouthfuls in a highly publicized media event. Cabinet members Flaherty, Clement and Cannon all filled their bellies on raw and boiled seal meat to their content. However, Stephen Harper did not enjoy it, calling the Inuit people with un-wiped bums. Do I think it's legal to ban seal products? Sure, why not. A country should be able to decide what's allowed in or out of its borders. I guess certain treaty aspects of it come into play. What is the market value of Seal meat in Europe? Never heard of it being a staple part of the European diet. Seems like a tempest in a teapot to me. But I suppose the problem is it impacts on the economy of natives in the far north, and hunters in places like Newfoundland who go out for the pelts, having been displaced by the shutdown of cod fisheries. Let them eat Natsiq.

To generalize is to see the world through a Generals eyes. Or something