McCain joke: Kill Iranians with ciggies

reply to post by Azurus


Ahmadinejad can say whatever he wants to say, actually. ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS. Ever hear that gem before? Here's another one that maybe your grandmother shared with you that was taken from a more rugged time in our country's history when men were men and pansies were told to stiffle themselves when their whining got too loud: STICKS AND STONES MAY BREAK MY BONES, BUT WORDS WILL NEVER HARM ME. When Amadinejad stops spouting off from his little pez despenser flip-top head and actually does something (like attempt to build a nuke, maybe) then he passes from the "mindless annoyance" category into the "time to take out the trash" category.

Oh, and I'm thrilled to know that Ahmad "respects" me. In fact, I'd love to have the sucker over for dinner sometime, I'll serve lead.

[edit on 9-7-2008 by burdman30ott6]

reply to post by burdman30ott6
While I agree in spirit - I feel it is more of a loss of backbone or cojones or fill-in-the-blank than a loss of skin.

The largest identity crises I currently see is a loss of USA as a team effort.

Disagree with your team all you like; but let us not forget which team we are on.

Originally posted by Azurus
What if the president of Iran made a "joke" about killing Americans. That wouldn't be funny now would it? In fact, he wouldn't make that type of joke.

Another good point by Azurus!

That McCain's joke is about as respecful and tasteful as telling a Jewish audience that smoking can kill you as surely as a gas chamber.


[edit on 9-7-2008 by buddhasystem]

Originally posted by burdman30ott6
Oh, and I'm thrilled to know that Ahmad "respects" me. In fact, I'd love to have the sucker over for dinner sometime, I'll serve lead.

That was a great line!

I better type something else as not to make this a one line post and have someone who is not a mod correct me and point out the T&C.

[edit on 9-7-2008 by WhatTheory]

reply to post by burdman30ott6


I should have expected an egotistical insult for a response. Why am I considered a pansy by claiming that his joke was inappropriate? All I'm saying is that, like the OP of this thread, I think there is a time and place for jokes like this. During this situation and the heated tension between Iran and the U.S. jokes like this don't serve any purpose except to portray Americans in an even worse light.

Stop getting so defensive of nothing. If the president of Iran made a joke about killing Americans (no matter how stupid), you can bet your a** it would be on the front page headlines and all the stupid sheep out there would want to nuke Iran even more.

And you don't have to try to tell me about the president of Iran. I don't like the guy either, but atleast he knows how to properly distinguish a country's citizens from their government.

[edit on 9-7-2008 by Azurus]

Originally posted by Azurus
What if the president of Iran made a "joke" about killing Americans. That wouldn't be funny now would it? In fact, he wouldn't make that type of joke.

Do you really believe that Ahmed.... has not made any jokes to his peers about war and killing Americans? How naive are you? The real funny part is that when he says it, he is NOT joking.

Originally posted by kerontehe
reply to post by burdman30ott6

 

The largest identity crises I currently see is a loss of USA as a team effort.

Disagree with your team all you like; but let us not forget which team we are on.

Words of pure wisdom.
Unfortunately it seems like most don't want to be on a team at all yet still be able to enjoy the benefits of the team atmosphere when it best suits them.
There is way too much hate when it comes to politics these days.

reply to post by kerontehe


Oh, if you're talking about matters of international power and our right to exert said power, then I whole heartedly agree with you. I've been saying for quite some time now that America has lost that big set of brass balls we used to proudly swing between our legs. No American should EVER give a damn about what a foreign country thinks about our actions above what is best for this country's present and future. The damn liberals have been trying to destroy patriotism for decades. However, they lost that fight in the 60's and 70's by trying to make patriotism a bad word and failing as the general population still recognized their duty of loyalty to this country. So they took a different route and redefined the word patriotism... support our troops, but villify everything they're doing, love America by cursing her leaders, show your loyalty to America by making sure the rest of the world doesn't view us as anything loftier than a partner or friend. It's all doublespeak and horsecrap and, sadly, everyday more people buy into it.

I'm talking about words in my point about our thin skins. I'm talking about living in a country where Don Imus gets crucified and we're all supposed to express outrage over "nappy headed hos." I'm talking about ruining John Rocker's once promising career because he dared to make politically incorrect, but very valid observations about NYC in a magazine interview. I'm talking about booing being banned at all high school sporting events in the state of Washington because it might "hurt the other team's feelings." That's a skin thickness issue. Seriously, sometimes I wonder how many times a butterfly lands on one of these folks' arms and leaves a 2 inch laceration gushing blood when it takes off in flight, their skin is so thin.

reply to post by burdman30ott6

No American should EVER give a damn about what a foreign country thinks about our actions above what is best for this country's present and future.

You sir are mistaking Patriotism for Neo-Fascism. And it's very disturbing.

reply to post by burdman30ott6

I'm talking about words in my point about our thin skins. I'm talking about living in a country where Don Imus gets crucified and we're all supposed to express outrage over "nappy headed hos." I'm talking about ruining John Rocker's once promising career because he dared to make politically incorrect, but very valid observations about NYC in a magazine interview. I'm talking about booing being banned at all high school sporting events in the state of Washington because it might "hurt the other team's feelings." That's a skin thickness issue.

I agree with you on these ridiculous domestic issues. But when it comes to our relations with the rest of the world, it is not the same.

reply to post by Azurus


Well, I wasn't directly refering to you as a pansy, but apparently you felt I was so be it. I was talking about whiners in general. That crap didn't used to be so prevalent nor was it tolerated. I guess that's just another example to stick on my list of reasons the idea we've lost freedoms is crap: the freedom to whine has never been stronger or more exercised in America than it is currently. Hell, I guess I'm a pansy too, as I seem to be whining about the whiners... imagine that!

As far as Ahmadinejad's thoughts on the American people go, please, please, PLEASE tell me you did not buy that pile of excrement in his letter to Americans from 2 years ago. The irony that anyone who posts on a conspiracy theory website which is known for questioning their own government's (around the globe as it is an international site) statements would buy that obvious piece of propaganda and take it at face value is staggering. I don't believe that he actually wrote a word of that latter, though hoefully the squadron of spin doctors he recruited to write it under his name were handsomely compensated. I am sure he had a hearty belly laugh and numerous guffaws while proof reading it before sending it, however.

reply to post by Azurus


If you believe that, then you sir, can count yourself among those who have completely changed the meaning of the word "patriotism" over the past 40 years. What I call patriotism is exactly what our grandfathers called patriotism when they fought in WWII. It is America first at all times, don't back down, don't weaken your position, NEVER compromise yourself to appease a foreign regime.

reply to post by burdman30ott6


I have no opinion on the letter he wrote, but I do question why the American media would spin it if it is just propaganda. (it doesn't seem in our interests).

I do think people tend to whine about certain issues, but don't confuse "whining" with speaking out for what is right. I don't want to twist your words into something they aren't, but what you consider whining can be a valid form of questioning our government and ourselves, and as Americans our country was founded based on that, and it's our responsibility as citizens to constantly question (whine) about things. If we didn't, we would all be herded animals. It's why we formed America in the first place. Patriotism in America was founded on the principle of questioning ourselves and our own government, and to never let things get out of control.

I agree with you that many people "whine". The problem is that they don't actually do anything to help out or change what they are whining about.

As far as patriotism is concerned, I think you are using a close term called nationalism, which is fairly similar. What bugs me is the unspoken assertion by some self-declared 'patriots' that the most important part of 'patriotism' is to support the current government no matter WHAT they do. That's not patriotism, that's naivety and idolatry.


Heres some quotes on real patriotism:


Moral cowardice that keeps us from speaking our minds is as dangerous to this country as irresponsible talk. The right way is not always the popular and easy way. Standing for right when it is unpopular is a true test of moral character.-Margaret Chase Smith



"My country, right or wrong" is a thing no patriot would ever think of saying except in a desperate case. It is like saying "My mother, drunk or sober."- G. K. Chesterton


The notion that a radical is one who hates his country is naïve and usually idiotic. He is, more likely, one who likes his country more than the rest of us, and is thus more disturbed than the rest of us when he sees it debauched. He is not a bad citizen turning to crime; he is a good citizen driven to despair.-H. L. Mencken


I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.-James Baldwin

[edit on 9-7-2008 by Azurus]

Originally posted by burdman30ott6
It is America first at all times, don't back down, don't weaken your position, NEVER compromise yourself to appease a foreign regime.

It's also helpful for potential POTUS to not look like a jerk when various foreign regimes are watching.

reply to post by WhatTheory

Do you really believe that Ahmed.... has not made any jokes to his peers about war and killing Americans? How naive are you?

I'm not naive at all. I'm perceptive enough to understand that he is probably smart enough to say those things only in private, if he does say them.

And I don't think he hates American culture. In fact most of the populace of Iran is trying to embrace American culture, especially the younger Iranians who are the majority. Their president knows this. He has stated over and over again that he feels very strongly against our government, but I highly doubt he wished to kill innocent Americans.

You know that filter in your brain that your thoughts get poured through before they come flying out of your mouth...maybe the GOP should hold a bake sale to buy him one of those.

reply to post by buddhasystem


Please do not take offense - but my response to that sentiment is: screw the foreign regimes. What have they done for us lately.

The time for timidity is long past. Yes I disagree with much of what the USA government has done in the last 50+ years; but make no mistake, this is the country that I choose to make my home and hopefully restore some of the liberties for my children that I was blessed with in my youth.

There are many reasons why the USA was and still is THE superpower on this planet. IMHO - worrying what some foreign regime thinks of our behavior is not contributing to a solution for our current challenges. It is a part of the problem.

Wow! He's a real class act.

Originally posted by kerontehe
The time for timidity is long past. Yes I disagree with much of what the USA government has done in the last 50+ years; but make no mistake, this is the country that I choose to make my home and hopefully restore some of the liberties for my children that I was blessed with in my youth.

What does restoration of liberty in the US have to do with making truly moronic comments about how we might want to poison the population of country XYZ? He wasn't talking about sending toxic cigars to Iranian leadership, instead, just hoping that their general population would start dying off. If that's OK in your book, I certainly hope it's not in your children's.



[edit on 9-7-2008 by buddhasystem]

reply to post by kerontehe

IMHO - worrying what some foreign regime thinks of our behavior is not contributing to a solution for our current challenges. It is a part of the problem.

I would totally agree with you under different circumstances. If America minded our own business then I would agree with you, but the fact is that we have COMPLETELY involved ourselves in the politics of practically every foreign regime. We are not the isolationist country that our great grandfathers lived in. The world political stage is interconnected on every level. We have military bases and installations all over the world. We can't have our cake and eat it too. If we want to be the world police, then we have to show the world that we have enough respect and humanitarian dignity for them to trust us enough to play that role.

Comments like this from potential presidents don't help.

[edit on 9-7-2008 by Azurus]