TheSteamer

I use lots of techniques to evoke discussion. Obtuseness I find particularly interesting because it often reveals the prejudices of the respondents. Just because you've seen it all before, doesn't mean the other 48,000 posters have (OK, probably 4800 when adjusted for multiple account holders). Since you claim to be tired of this and see right through it, why not respond to what you believe are my underlying sentiments? Failing that, why not ignore the comments? Surely making things about me does nothing to contribute.

The lengths people will go to to avoid discussion of things that make them uncomfortable. . . duck, dodge, hide. Bye-bye.

ZING!

And you remind me of some punk I beat down in another thread until he couldn't make a coherent argument.

And we have some truly fertile ground here. I can't say I'm saddened by the responses to my posts though. To some degree, I'm encouraged. I fully expected those who profess to know what freedom is to provide the humus layer of shouted-down speech and simplistic notions of right and wrong. Those arguments defeat themselves and make my points for me. There's nothing disturbingly unsettling about such predictability. What I'm encouraged by, is the near universal acknowledgment that our veterans were pawns in a rich man's game, that war is little more than greed through violence and that man does not want war. Now, if only those of you who seem to know this intimately, could shake the shackles of conformity and live these ideals for the other 364 days that Chelsea invokes, perhaps we could make a real difference in society? It's a challenge, I know. It seems a tall order to expect humans to behave in a manner that is consistent with what they know deep down inside. I mean, we all know that our 'way of life' was handed to us on the backs of billions impoverished and millions murdered by our guns and bombs, but hey, if we can get a double latte at the drive through, well, we'll raise a vente to them on Remembrance Day and get back to work, right? Or do we really care? Can we demonstrate this belief, so buried underground, in everything we do each day? Can we never take a day off and live these ideals at the checkout counter, the voting booth and on the street beside our fellow men? What a sacrifice that would be, and how we might honour those who truly gave so much! Just think how much you would have to give up to reject the imperialism and violence that gives you what you take for granted? A day without spending? A vote with your heart?

I think it's the ideal place. It seems there are some ageless and common delusions all over this thread. "They fought for our freedom" is one of the all-time classics. No, they did not fight for our freedom. They fought because bankers, politicians and the rich elites of our society wanted to acquire more wealth and power. They fought because they believed in ideals that never really existed. They fought because they didn't want to go to jail. They fought because they had nothing else to do. And yes, many even fought for racial pride, a penchant for cultural dominance and from a place of deep xenophobia. And that begat this: where today we delude ourselves into thinking that we are free. Into thinking that, even today, our 'way of life' is worth killing and dying for; that war means peace; that the bankers, politicians and rich elites still know what is best for us. No thanks. For me, Nov. 11th is a time to recognize that nothing has really changed. It is a time to reflect that those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it. Can anyone really say we've learned anything?

Ahhhh. . . Freedom!

Freedom?

Freedom?

It should be against the law not to wear a poppy? Yeah, 'freedom' and sh!t. . .