profe51
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posted on November 19, 2009 05:24:00 PM new
So here's a few topics....
How bout that Palin? I loved watching people who were lined up to buy her book stumbling and mumbling and tweeting and bleeping when trying to explain her policies.
What about that single mom soldier who refused her deployment? I can't believe the military didn't handle that in-house and avoid all the nasty publicity.
Is Nueva Jork in danger from the trial of KSM? Will there be ragheads exploding themselves in the streets?
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pixiamom
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posted on November 20, 2009 02:21:56 AM new
[ edited by pixiamom on Nov 20, 2009 05:07 AM ]
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logansdad
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posted on November 20, 2009 08:24:09 AM new
Palin 15 minutes of fame are just about over in my opinion. I don't know of many people that actually take her seriously any more. If she tries to make a run for the White House in 2012, she will fail miserably.
Profe, how about discussing whether the word "terrorist" is being over used in the media.
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profe51
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posted on November 20, 2009 10:36:54 AM new
Profe, how about discussing whether the word "terrorist" is being over used in the media.
I'll bite. What do you think?
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logansdad
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posted on November 20, 2009 10:52:28 AM new
I think it is being over used. The Fort Hood shooting is a prime example. Because the shooter was of Muslim background, they accused him of being a terrorist.
You didn't hear the word terrorist being used to describe the Columbine killers, the Virginia Tech killer or Timothy McVeigh when he blew up the Oklahoma Federal Building.
Now any type killing which has multiple victims or any plot against a US target is labeled as terrorism.
The word terrorist/terrorism is such a broad term that practically any crime can be labeled as terrorism.
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profe51
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posted on November 20, 2009 12:03:13 PM new
I agree it's interesting that those examples you cite weren't called terror attacks. Another one that comes to mind is the attack on the Holocaust Museum. Most certainly a hate crime and probably a terrorist attack.
However, given the background of that guy that did the Ft. Hood shootings and the fact that he'd been in communication with an obviously Jihadist Imam, I not sure it's such a stretch to call him a terrorist. The normal definition of terrorism though is violence carried out against civilian populations. In that respect, Ft. Hood doesn't qualify.
I do think the news media is much quicker these days to use emotionally loaded words that are better left to editorialists.
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logansdad
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posted on November 20, 2009 02:18:13 PM new
Then why not call him a religious extreemist or religious radical.
You cited: The normal definition of terrorism though is violence carried out against civilian populations.
To me that could describe a bank robber or a serial killer as well, but these people are called anything but terrorists.
I feel the word terrorist is being used as substitute for criminal these days.
We could go on and on trying to decide who is and who is not considered a terrorist, but I don't think there is a one size fits all description.
I brought up this topic because people were so quick to label the Fort Hood gunmen as a terrorist.
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Helenjw
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posted on November 20, 2009 02:31:35 PM new
In addition to terrorism, the Fear-mongers in Chief..... Beck, Limbaugh and Savage have an insane obsession with the concept of rape. Everything imaginable, according to these broadcasters of BS propaganda is being labeled rape or terrorism. For example, they claim that minds of little children are being raped by the "homosexual mafia" while the Statue of Liberty is being raped too!
Those Americans hiding under their desks, unable to escape by land are being encouraged to build boats so that they may escape by sea. 
Funny Video....Media Conservatives Obsessed With Rape
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profe51
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posted on November 20, 2009 06:38:16 PM new
logansdad, upon rereading my post I probably should have used non-combatant or something else in place of "civilian". That opens up another can of worms though doesn't it? Then whenever there are non military casualties in war, one side can call the other "terrorists". We're not in disagreement here. I think the word's misused too. 24 hour cable news is partly to blame I think. They need hot-button words, and it's spreading.
That video is now a bookmark helen, thanks
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Helenjw
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posted on November 21, 2009 08:38:37 AM new
Speaking of bookmarks...
I underestimated the importance of bookmarks until recently when I downloaded a free "Kindle for PC's" from Amazon along with an electronic book. Good lord, what a disappointment. I'd rather go to the store, find a real book which I can hold and mark with pens and "post it notes" and then keep on a shelf or in a pile on top or underneath my desk. Book clutter is beautiful and bookmarks are essential.
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profe51
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posted on November 22, 2009 05:59:53 AM new
Agree. I just don't get the whole kindle reader thing. I love my books. Like yours I bet, mine are read and re-read and marked up and full of stickies for even more re-reading of favorite parts. My son first noticed this when he was little as I have an old copy of Gabriel Garcia Marquez' "Love in the Time of Cholera" that has duct tape on the spine and is so full of notes, highlights, dog ears and stickies that nobody could possibly read it but me. He said "Papi, why don't you throw away that nasty old book and get a nice new one?"
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Helenjw
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posted on November 23, 2009 05:08:03 AM new
Someday, that great book, held together with duct tape and enhanced by your marks and your notes will be his greatest treasure.
When I finish reading "The Human Stain" I'm planning to redecorate "Love in the Time of Cholera".
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logansdad
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posted on November 23, 2009 07:34:55 AM new
profe, "24 hour cable news is partly to blame I think. They need hot-button words, and it's spreading."
I agree with you, but it is not just the media. The government is to blame as well. In the 60's and 70's the hot button word was communism. Not that Obama is President we are seeing the right use "socialim".
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kiara
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posted on November 23, 2009 02:12:22 PM new
How bout that Palin? I loved watching people who were lined up to buy her book stumbling and mumbling and tweeting and bleeping when trying to explain her policies.
Sarah Palin Book Signing - Interviews with Supporters
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKKKgua7wQk
Scary, eh? Also rather amusing.
[ edited by kiara on Nov 23, 2009 02:13 PM ]
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kiara
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posted on November 25, 2009 10:36:29 AM new
Palin Suggests Reforming Canada’s Universal Health Care System: ‘Let The Private Sector Take Over’
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/11/25/palin-canadian-health-care/
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logansdad
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posted on November 25, 2009 10:49:50 AM new
It has been a year since Palin pardoned a turkey. If you needed a laugh before having Thanksgiving dinner, here is the gift that keeps on giving.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N22l3cmNksk
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vintageu
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posted on November 25, 2009 11:07:25 AM new
Speaking of turkey - how many of you are going to volunteer to deliver turkey dinners, to the elderly, or work at serving Thanksgiving dinner to the unfortunate at a food pantry, soup kitchen, or Salvation Army, etc.
We play socially concerned all year, now it is time to do it for real.
Hmmmmm ... how many?
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kiara
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posted on November 25, 2009 03:08:28 PM new
How to say two words with a pie chart.
http://www.27bslash6.com/p2p.html
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pixiamom
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posted on November 25, 2009 05:39:50 PM new
Kiara, I really think the pie chart deserves its own thread. Too funny!
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pixiamom
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posted on November 25, 2009 05:56:03 PM new
Sorry, Thanksgiving is NOT the one day to jump in and help the unfortunate. It's one of the few days per year my neighbor doesn't put in 4 hours volunteering at the local Loaves and Fishes. He said there are a flood of drop-in volunteers on Thanksgiving and Christmas (who never show up on any other days) so he feels comfortable taking the time off. He's the real hero. I wish I had the disposition, time and dedication to put in the service he does. I don't. So every time I go to the grocery, I buy a few jars of peanut butter or oatmeal or cans of beans and plop them in the Salvation Army collection bin at the exit of the store. Not much effort required but I do it regularly, not just at Thanksgiving.
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profe51
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posted on November 26, 2009 06:38:27 AM new
vintageu: I challenged the kids at my school to beat their food donation goal from last year. A little school with 350 kids K-8 brought in 2544 cans of food and 18 frozen turkeys which I hauled in my truck 45 miles one way to the community food bank, AFTER keeping up my end of the deal by shaving my head and mustache. Does that meat with your approval?
Kiara: you just cost me over an hour digging around that blog link and laughing my head off. Thanks!!
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profe51
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posted on November 26, 2009 06:39:02 AM new
meet, I mean.
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Helenjw
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posted on November 26, 2009 07:44:52 AM new
Well, vintageu was "speaking of turkey", as his mealy mouth did suggest.
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Helenjw
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posted on November 26, 2009 07:46:47 AM new
 Kiara!
[ edited by Helenjw on Nov 26, 2009 07:49 AM ]
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vintageu
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posted on November 26, 2009 09:17:59 AM new
helenjw, I apologize, for I did not mean to embarrass you. I forgot that most soup kitchens do not allow their clients or guests to serve other guests.
Don't worry, everything will be fine, in that once they see the size of your ego, I bet you will receive a larger portion of food.
Bon Appetite!
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Helenjw
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posted on November 26, 2009 12:51:30 PM new
Such gobbledygook!
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pixiamom
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posted on November 27, 2009 05:36:58 PM new
[ edited by pixiamom on Nov 27, 2009 08:08 PM ]
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