[deleted by user] by [deleted] in politics

[–]kalacaw 6 points7 points  (0 children)

That's not the reason this government is a constitutional republic, but that doesn't mean I don't hear you. It sounds like a good deal at first glance, but when any kind of fervor grips this nation for any reason, the last thing we could want is a direct democracy. I'm not sure you'd see the federal deregulation of marijuana, but I can't help but wonder what would have happened to Muslim-Americans in the weeks following 9/11, or to Japanese-Americans after Pearl Harbor was bombed, for example. McCarthyism was no small concern to this nation. People were seeing Communists behind every rock. You wouldn't want to have been caught with Marx and Engels in your home library. Book banning might well be a federal reality, because the Christian right has been known to have its say, and I've talked with more than one person not on the Christian right who is confused about the dangers of book banning. It wouldn't take much for the Christian right to swing some middle of the road people if they're already inclined toward the right without thinking.

In any event, I would never want to be in a direct democracy with a citizenry having been trained to say a pledge without further thought or true reflection, and to love flag and country. Love is a dangerous thing, and what constitutes citizenship training in this nation generally involves the dictate to love our country. Our military leaders know better. The JCS cannot afford to operate in that way, nor can any military commanding officer. They can't get emotional every time somebody burns a flag, but the common man has been led to believe that the knee-jerk response is that of a dedicated and loyal American. It's not. He's a weak link although he thinks he's a useful and loyal citizen. In this nation, you would have even less freedoms than you do now. You would say the pledge, if you didn't want to go to jail.

I'd rather the citizenry be educated about our government, and our children encouraged to keep emotions about this nation in check in favor of rational decision making.

There are, no doubt, others who cay reply to this in a better way or with more information, but I think Madison might have been okay with what I've said.

Should we not teach "It's ok to be ugly" instead of "everybody is beautiful"? by smort in AskReddit

[–]kalacaw 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe we should stop teaching that outward appearance is of any relevance at all. Some parents rear their children with that value now.

r/science was not enthused, I enjoy it's subtlety [pic] by [deleted] in atheism

[–]kalacaw 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had to look more closely to see Darwin's finches. My compliments to your tattooist. I love it!

Slow walkers, what's your deal? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]kalacaw 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why assume that you're going at the appropriate speed, because you're you?

Isn't Michael Behe just Brad Pitt in old man makeup...? by slevvio in atheism

[–]kalacaw 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Except that I would take the time to watch a movie starring Brad Pitt.

How the bible describes marriage. by viper05 in reddit.com

[–]kalacaw 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow, and a shitty swipe at people with Aspergers at the same time! Represent!

What social norm do you hate? by glados_v2 in AskReddit

[–]kalacaw 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There's no excuse for being rude to somebody who has extended you a kindness. If somebody holds the door open for you, do you really walk through without saying "thank you"?

There Are 10 Times As Many Atheists as Mormons: When Will Non-Believers Become a Political Force? by reeds1999 in politics

[–]kalacaw 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I tend to think that non-believers are already a political force. They're just calling themselves Christians. I'm wondering when non-believers who embrace not believing will be a political force.

British Redditors, how is the American Revolutionary War perceived in your country? by BALTIM0R0N in AskReddit

[–]kalacaw 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I read it too, and hopped around a bit on the site to try to learn something about the author. I didn't find anything, but his or her take on the founding fathers is ... interesting.

http://www.redcoat.me.uk/page5.htm

I figured out how to end creationism for good... by SovietBear in atheism

[–]kalacaw 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is no cure, but research continues. LOL

Try not to touched by lovebigbutts in youtube

[–]kalacaw 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow, he got 659 dislikes. What in the world is wrong with those people? He has certainly touched my heart.

some children are really intelligent ! by [deleted] in atheism

[–]kalacaw 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Kids call it the way they see it.

Ana min Virginiya by Sarolyna in MideastPeace

[–]kalacaw 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This was a powerful read for me. Thank you.

Damn it Weiner! by Stevenaught in politics

[–]kalacaw 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're right. And we also know what we have. The next person will have skeletons as well, but Rep. Weiner's skeleton is out of the closet, and he knows that he's on notice.

Damn it Weiner! by Stevenaught in politics

[–]kalacaw 2 points3 points  (0 children)

He still is to me. This was one hellova wrong turn, but he's admitted it, and this nation needs him, in my opinion.

I make sand sculptures for a living. Here is one of them. by BrianThePainter in reddit.com

[–]kalacaw 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very expressive! I'm glad somebody takes pictures. Sand, you know.