Don't Ask Don't Tell | 56 comments (56 topical, 0 hidden)
Afraid to look at precedent. (5.00 / 5)
One of the leading cause of stagnation in social progress in America, and some other choice countries, is their inability, or flat-out denial to look at PRECEDENT.

For instance, some other countries treat criminals humanely and with rehabilitation programs. PRECEDENT shows success. These countries have ridiculously lower crime rates.

MANY other countries have socialized health care. This has also shown a very noticeable improvement in their general health.

And, more relevant, other countries have openly gay militaries. They show not only is it a non-issue as far as military effectiveness, but it also decreases the amount of sexually-based military harassment, as much of it, as things stand, is based off the fear of being accused of being homosexual and losing your job.

Just what the -hell- is preventing us from looking at these other, already ESTABLISHED examples. Progress isn't made solely in America, societies around the world are trying new things, and sometimes they succeed. One would assume that in order to optimize our society, we would use programs that are proven to work.

But that is not the case.

by Dradeeus on 06/09/2009 12:15:25 AM EST

the problem with that... (5.00 / 2)
we have OVERLY religious people in this country and arrogant people... mostly on the right, who hold American up on this shinning hill with a banner that states the opposite of what makes sense in society.  

Openly gay military... who cares, if a person wants to serve, obviously they can serve.  I mean this don't ask don't tell thing is ridiculous because whether or not a person is gay in the military, they will still be gay even if they say they are or if they don't... I wonder how many gay soldiers there are right now, giving their hearts around the world now?

healthcare and violence, that to most Americans just don't make sense.  When you hear about healthcare, socialized healthcare... most RED BLOOD, Toby Keith singing "Proud to be an American" Americans will call that socialism  without doing the research for themselves while spouting, that's not the American way... not realizing that it's cheaper and provides a better healthcare system than that of the one we currently have also not realizing the wonders it's done for other countries...

I mean, what's stopping the progress in America usually comes down to religion and arrogant Americans (conservatives) to which by definition of Conservatism is a political and social term from the Latin verb conservare meaning to save or preserve. As the name suggests it usually indicates support for tradition and traditional values though the meaning has changed in different countries and time periods. to break that down, basically means people who don't want to change... and if you don't change, you can't progress, which will cause a down turn in life and society.

by Erauprcwa on 06/12/2009 12:56:22 AM EST

[ Parent ]
You liberal weenies are all alike. (3.20 / 3)
You never learn!

All of those evil, ignorant countries can't compare to America's greatness!  It's un-American to say that they do things better than we do!  Besides, they're evil socialists!

  1. Only individual initiative has made this country great.

  2. Everyone can pull themselves up by their bootstraps.

  3. It is the unfettered, unregulated free market that is the great engine of our economy.

  4. Government just gets in the way.  Government is the problem and it should be made very small and weak.  Government interferes with the moral people who are trying to pursue their self-interest to become prosperous. Because government interferes with them, it is un-American to promote government.

  5. You know how to spend your money better than the government does.

SO WHAT if the result of all of our conservative ideas is that more people are impoverished, there is more violence and death, and the air and water start to stink?  That only happens because the rest of you are immoral!

NOTE: The author of this comment doesn't believe a single thing that he just wrote.  Arguments 1-5 are courtesy of George Lakoff.

by AnEngineer on 06/09/2009 12:40:51 AM EST

[ Parent ]
you forgot (5.00 / 2)
 Government is the problem and it should be made very small and weak.  EXCEPT when people decide to have abortions or gay marriage or legal marijuana.
THEN we have to expand government.  DEREGULATE THE MARKETS AND REGULATE WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS!

by birdboy1 on 06/11/2009 09:28:18 PM EST

[ Parent ]
No! No! (3.40 / 2)
You understand it too well -- you might be getting infected with right-wingism!  Flee!  Flee!  Get away while you can!

by AnEngineer on 06/12/2009 07:07:48 AM EST

[ Parent ]

Don't Ask Don't Tell | 56 comments (56 topical, 0 hidden)