for Warning1/21/2004 c1 carmice3
You have a very simplistic take on the situation, but because you don't try to judge anyone, or tell anyone that they are bad or wrong it doesn't matter. This is clearly just your opinion, your ideas based on what you see around you. That's cool, you don't have any grand pretentions that this essay is going to make people go, 'hey that's right, I'm going to give all my money to the poor'.
Quick point, America gives less that 0.02% (or something equally small. I might be 0.01% off or something) of its GNP to poverty prevention worldwide. Being a rich country, that makes the rest of the world kind of sore.
Overall, good essay
You have a very simplistic take on the situation, but because you don't try to judge anyone, or tell anyone that they are bad or wrong it doesn't matter. This is clearly just your opinion, your ideas based on what you see around you. That's cool, you don't have any grand pretentions that this essay is going to make people go, 'hey that's right, I'm going to give all my money to the poor'.
Quick point, America gives less that 0.02% (or something equally small. I might be 0.01% off or something) of its GNP to poverty prevention worldwide. Being a rich country, that makes the rest of the world kind of sore.
Overall, good essay
11/7/2003 c1 Steven Lawrence
This was well written; it needs no blasting like other liberal-leaning essays on this site.
However,
"and called up more and more troops"
No, there have been no troops "called up." Reservists have been called "in" but it seems like you're saying a draft has been enacted to sorts.
And I saw a good quote on this site once: you have your freedom of expression, but there is no law saying people MUST agree with you. Just like it's your opinion to be against something, it is others' opinion to be against your stance. Just because a majority of people don't agree with you doesn't mean your freedom of expression has been taken from you.
-Steve
This was well written; it needs no blasting like other liberal-leaning essays on this site.
However,
"and called up more and more troops"
No, there have been no troops "called up." Reservists have been called "in" but it seems like you're saying a draft has been enacted to sorts.
And I saw a good quote on this site once: you have your freedom of expression, but there is no law saying people MUST agree with you. Just like it's your opinion to be against something, it is others' opinion to be against your stance. Just because a majority of people don't agree with you doesn't mean your freedom of expression has been taken from you.
-Steve
11/6/2003 c1 James Jago
A heartfelt piece of writing.
The United States can be a force for good, and has been in the past. It is regrettably true that if you want peace, justice and freedom you have to blow shit up, and nobody is better equipped to do so than the USA.
Afghanistan was a tragic waste. So much good has been achieved there, but so much more could have been had they not reacted in blind anger and revenge. People died in Afghanistan because they were scared and angry at the sudden appearance of foreign soldiers, and just grabbed a weapon- most of them had never heard of the Twin Towers or even air travel.
I agree with the assertion that before the USA tries to spread the benefits of the American Way, it needs to fix the bits of it that don't work too well.
A heartfelt piece of writing.
The United States can be a force for good, and has been in the past. It is regrettably true that if you want peace, justice and freedom you have to blow shit up, and nobody is better equipped to do so than the USA.
Afghanistan was a tragic waste. So much good has been achieved there, but so much more could have been had they not reacted in blind anger and revenge. People died in Afghanistan because they were scared and angry at the sudden appearance of foreign soldiers, and just grabbed a weapon- most of them had never heard of the Twin Towers or even air travel.
I agree with the assertion that before the USA tries to spread the benefits of the American Way, it needs to fix the bits of it that don't work too well.
11/5/2003 c1 
83MiriamP
Just want to say:
I'm not saying there are more downs than ups.
I don't just think about the hurting people, I help where I can
New essay coming on this subject adressing all other questions... when I get the damn word thing working.
Thanks for the reviews
83MiriamPJust want to say:
I'm not saying there are more downs than ups.
I don't just think about the hurting people, I help where I can
New essay coming on this subject adressing all other questions... when I get the damn word thing working.
Thanks for the reviews
11/5/2003 c1 16Calvin Fitzgerald
aha, I smell a communist. Just kidding, but your article seems to lean to the left. I appluad the effort of the peace corps, as well as the Americorps but this is a capitalist society and while charity is always good and always needed, it shouldn't be a requirement.
Please, please don't pretend your being oppressed for thinking ill of our country. I hate it when liberals do that. Right now there are nine democrats attacking the President and his policies daily and nobody cares, the senate democrats have filibustered numerous Bush appointees and nobody cares. You won't get hurt for saying America isn't that great, but you will find a lot of people willing to disagree with you. You do have the freedom of speech and religion, or else you wouldn't be posting this essay, right?
Oh, and on another note, please add a bit more length to this essay, its far to short for all the topics you touch upon.
Calvin Fitzgerald
16Calvin Fitzgeraldaha, I smell a communist. Just kidding, but your article seems to lean to the left. I appluad the effort of the peace corps, as well as the Americorps but this is a capitalist society and while charity is always good and always needed, it shouldn't be a requirement.
Please, please don't pretend your being oppressed for thinking ill of our country. I hate it when liberals do that. Right now there are nine democrats attacking the President and his policies daily and nobody cares, the senate democrats have filibustered numerous Bush appointees and nobody cares. You won't get hurt for saying America isn't that great, but you will find a lot of people willing to disagree with you. You do have the freedom of speech and religion, or else you wouldn't be posting this essay, right?
Oh, and on another note, please add a bit more length to this essay, its far to short for all the topics you touch upon.
Calvin Fitzgerald
11/5/2003 c1 Anomaly
Ok, good essay, but I have to disagree. We aren't just storming in and judging other countries, as you and a reviewer seemed to think. Sadaam was murdering his own people. Plain and simple. By the way, freedom of speech and religion is still very open. If someone threatens you because of those reasons, then go to the police. You make it sound like America is a wasteland, which I think is a lie. America is one of, if not the, richest countries in the world. Its not like we can help them OR we can help ourselves. There are many organizations that deal specifically with homeland improvement. The people who attacked Muslims were being idiots, and were doing an illegal act. It is still harassment or murder, its not like people are holding religion as a reason in court. If they are, then I can almost guarantee they will loose. SOME people overreact and SOME people are just idiots. There are psycho murderers on the streets everyday, waiting for a victim. That doesn't mean that EVERY person in America is that way. Instead of thinking about the kids two blocks away, why not start a food drive, and help them, actions speak louder than thinkings. Or, how about, if you just want to 'think' about things, what about the citizens in Iraq. What is shown on television is only part of it. Life there is not anything like it is here. Their own government hunts them down and tortures, murders, and rapes them at their whim. Think about that before you say we were wrong.
Ok, good essay, but I have to disagree. We aren't just storming in and judging other countries, as you and a reviewer seemed to think. Sadaam was murdering his own people. Plain and simple. By the way, freedom of speech and religion is still very open. If someone threatens you because of those reasons, then go to the police. You make it sound like America is a wasteland, which I think is a lie. America is one of, if not the, richest countries in the world. Its not like we can help them OR we can help ourselves. There are many organizations that deal specifically with homeland improvement. The people who attacked Muslims were being idiots, and were doing an illegal act. It is still harassment or murder, its not like people are holding religion as a reason in court. If they are, then I can almost guarantee they will loose. SOME people overreact and SOME people are just idiots. There are psycho murderers on the streets everyday, waiting for a victim. That doesn't mean that EVERY person in America is that way. Instead of thinking about the kids two blocks away, why not start a food drive, and help them, actions speak louder than thinkings. Or, how about, if you just want to 'think' about things, what about the citizens in Iraq. What is shown on television is only part of it. Life there is not anything like it is here. Their own government hunts them down and tortures, murders, and rapes them at their whim. Think about that before you say we were wrong.
11/5/2003 c1 12Rowana S
I agree with you, I like the way you're thinking. I don't think that you can really talk about America as a whole. People in America are individual. And some strive to help, and some are just idiots. It's true that America, just like other countries, helps those in third world countries. But it's also true that America seems to have this annoying habit of judging other countries and butting in.
I agree that Iraq shouldn't have been in possesion of weapons of Mass destruction. But for that matter, should America or England be allowed to possess weapons of mas destruction.
Anyway, a good essay.
12Rowana SI agree with you, I like the way you're thinking. I don't think that you can really talk about America as a whole. People in America are individual. And some strive to help, and some are just idiots. It's true that America, just like other countries, helps those in third world countries. But it's also true that America seems to have this annoying habit of judging other countries and butting in.
I agree that Iraq shouldn't have been in possesion of weapons of Mass destruction. But for that matter, should America or England be allowed to possess weapons of mas destruction.
Anyway, a good essay.
11/5/2003 c1 jk-89
I do agree with you. Every country has it's ups and downs. I just happen to think America has more downs than ups!
I do agree with you. Every country has it's ups and downs. I just happen to think America has more downs than ups!