Free speech?

[EEVblog]

AEI, not exactly an impartial source.

Urgh, you aren't wrong.

More recently, it has emerged as one of the leading architects of the Bush administration's foreign policy. AEI rents office space to the Project for the New American Century, one of the leading voices that pushed the Bush administration's plan for "regime change" through war in Iraq. AEI reps have also aggressively denied that the war has anything to do with oil.

In 1980, the American Enterprise Institute for the sum of $25,000 produced a study in support of the tobacco industry titled, Cost-Benefit Analysis of Regulation: Consumer Products. The study was designed to counteract "social cost" arguments against smoking by broadening the social cost issue to include other consumer products such as alcohol and saccharin. The social cost arguments against smoking hold that smoking burdens society with additional costs from on-the-job absenteeism, medical costs, cleaning costs and fires.[3] The report was part of the global tobacco industry's 1980s Social Costs/Social Values Project, carried out to refute emerging social cost arguments against smoking.

In February 2007, The Guardian (UK) reported that AEI was offering scientists and economists $10,000 each, "to undermine a major climate change report" from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). AEI asked for "articles that emphasise the shortcomings" of the IPCC report, which "is widely regarded as the most comprehensive review yet of climate change science." AEI visiting scholar Kenneth Green made the $10,000 offer "to scientists in Britain, the US and elsewhere," in a letter describing the IPCC as "resistant to reasonable criticism and dissent." [7]
The Guardian reported further that AEI "has received more than $1.6m from ExxonMobil, and more than 20 of its staff have worked as consultants to the Bush administration. Lee Raymond, a former head of ExxonMobil, is the vice-chairman of AEI's board of trustees," added The Guardian. [8]

Dave.

[GK]

This is a singularly depressing thread. Really, listening to one more-or-less moderate Muslim having to defend his faith in the face of a sustained onslaught of not-quite-culturally-literate westerners is sad, almost as sad as some of the not-so-moderate things he feels he has to defend in the process. :-(

Islam is spread across the entire world and comes in many different flavors and with many different interpretations, just like <shock!> Christianity does. Some of them manage to never get around to the whole treating-women-like-shit thing. Some do, some don't. Well, what do you know?

Islam has everything built into it you need to live a virtuous and decent life, or one of depravity and violence, just like <shock!> Christianity does. Read some of that shit in the OT and tell me about a loving God. Go ahead. I dare you. Then read to me from Revelation and ditto. Pffft....

The problems that Islam has with nutjob extremest followers is very similar <shock!> to the one that Christianity and Judaisim has. When I bought my first full case of rifle ammo (a thousand rounds of 7.62 NATO ball, Australian production, oddly enough...), it was with the idea in mind of Gerry Fallwells Chrisitan Soldiers coming to convert me at bayonet point. Well, I was going to take quite a few of them with me, but as it turned out, I'm still here and he's dead. Fuck him.

The problems that Islam has with women predates the arrival of the prophet Mohamed PBUH and are not the sort of thing that Mohamed would have ever condoned, Hey, you want to know another prophet that thought that women were being shit on unfairly and thought pretty well of women (even whores!) and then his followers <shock!> shit all over them anyway? Lets just say he was a carpenter by trade and hailed from a place called Nazarea... sound familiar?

Sad. And now, I will return to my bottle of red wine and bowl of chicken and rice stew, and boozily contemplate the nature of humanity some more...

And allow me to add...the rights that protect the ability of boneheads to make derogatory Islamophobic videos ARE THE VERY SAME RIGHTS that protects the ability of Muslims to be openly Muslim in a predominantly Christian country. Sorry. Its a package deal.

What is really depressing is the fact that the sentiment expressed throughout that whole rant is pretty much typical of the thoughtlessly myopic (in today’s global environment) and morally bankrupt cultural relativism that one can read by the truckload on the internet and in every left-leaning rag or newspapers opinion piece.

An obscene state of affairs erupts on a global scale in response to some stupid Youtube video and by and large all you get, essentially, is an assortment of fools making excuses for it or talking down its significance or implications.

[GK]

AEI, not exactly an impartial source.

Urgh, you aren't wrong.

I knew that was going to come up. It also stands on the record that when the activist, politician and author of that article I linked to in the opening post was, essentially, lynched from her previous country of residence under extreme threats of death accompanied by riots and violence, the only Think Tank that was willing to give the political science graduate a job and foot her personal security bill was the conservative AEI. The left-leaning outfits for all their supposed worth as champions of the secular ideal and free speech didn’t care for the controversy, or the trouble.

Those unfamiliar with the author might want to check out her bio before making any judgements based on which organisation she works for. IMO her books, in particular her autobiography, Infidel, are mandatory reading for anyone generally interested in the issues under discussion. Hardly a “culturally ignorant” voice of criticism on women’s rights and Islamic fundamentalism.

[EEVblog]

Those unfamiliar with the author might want to check out her bio before making and judgements based on which organisation she works for. IMO her books, in particular her autobiography Infidel are mandatory reading for anyone generally interested in the issues under discussion. Hardly a “culturally ignorant” voice of criticism on women’s rights and Islamic fundamentalism.

I for one make no judgement about her based on who she works or writes for. Her article and reputation stands on it's own merits.
It is a shame she appears to be associated with such a group though.

Dave.

[poptones]

An obscene state of affairs erupts on a global scale in response to some stupid Youtube video and by and large all you get, essentially, is an assortment of fools making excuses for it or talking down its significance or implications.

That's what those pulling the strings want you to think. The truth is this movie was on the net for MONTHS. Where was the outrage in JULY when these videos were first posted? (It's all right there - go look it up yourself)

When was our ambassador killed? SEPTEMBER ELEVEN. The spin about riots may have an essence of truth to it, but isn't it a mighty big coincidence this video was out for months but those protests didn't happen until the second week of September? I wonder who might have reason to exploit such coincidences?

http://youtu.be/CHU9ou4r5gU

http://dailycaller.com/2011/10/21/progressives-islamists-huddle-at-justice-department/

[GK]

An obscene state of affairs erupts on a global scale in response to some stupid Youtube video and by and large all you get, essentially, is an assortment of fools making excuses for it or talking down its significance or implications.

That's what those pulling the strings want you to think. The truth is this movie was on the net for MONTHS. Where was the outrage in JULY when these videos were first posted? (It's all right there - go look it up yourself)

When was our ambassador killed? SEPTEMBER ELEVEN. The spin about riots may have an essence of truth to it, but isn't it a mighty big coincidence this video was out for months but those protests didn't happen until the second week of September? I wonder who might have reason to exploit such coincidences?

 

There was probably as much concocted outrage over that video as there was genuine visceral offence; either way it made for a convenient excuse to violently vent an undercurrent of general contempt for the West (and America in particular). Of course politicians, political hopefuls, pundits and commentators over here will conflagrate and distort realities and facts to satisfy their own prejudices and/or advance their own aims and agendas.     

However all that is just stating the bleeding obvious. There is enough unbiased reporting amongst the muck for any sufficiently motivated person become reasonably well informed.

It is not clear to me exactly who you think “those pulling the strings” are, or exactly what is the point you are trying to make in your post. It seems something incoherent that you concocted within a 30 second brain fart of reading my post on an emotional impulse to retort with something contrary. That said I'd like to mention that I am not partial to either discussing or debating conspiracy theories.

[GK]

maybe the other term is "puppetter". its hard to pinpoint who's exactly this people, all i can tell you look around and open your eyes big, they are everywhere, usually in highest rank or wannabe and double face. one "term" in arab is "fitnah" meaning spreading false story or statement resulting havoc among other people. in internet term is "trolling".

Yeah, and if you’re from where Ayaan was born, it’s the jinns who are constantly meddling in your misfortune (even Jews!).

they should repent on the damage that has caused by their mouth and hand

Oh really? So those killed aren’t just “collateral damage” anymore?

[GeoffS]

what happen to my previous post? got deleted?

Good guess.

[GeoffS]

what happen to my previous post? got deleted?

Good guess.

nice! selective free speech. your place, good. no point discussing then. have a nice day!

As you well know, your previous two attempts to post were not relevant to the subject under discussion.

[Rick]

Or are you talking about more recent events like when a bunch of cowards fly planes into buildings full of unarmed civilians and call it a victory for Allah?

This last one was organized by the American neocons themselves.
Only idiots believe that a few mollahs are able to master that high technology and penetrate US defenses and that controlled demolition of the twin towers was so obvious. It was a group of ultra conservatives who did that and many many people around the world believe that not only conspiracy theorists.

[rolycat]

Or are you talking about more recent events like when a bunch of cowards fly planes into buildings full of unarmed civilians and call it a victory for Allah?

This last one was organized by the American neocons themselves.
Only idiots believe that a few mollahs are able to master that high technology and penetrate US defenses and that controlled demolition of the twin towers was so obvious. It was a group of ultra conservatives who did that and many many people around the world believe that not only conspiracy theorists.

No, I think you'll find that the idea that 'ultra conservative' Americans murdered thousands of their own citizens and caused hundreds of billions of dollars of destruction just to further their agenda is definitely the preserve of conspiracy theorists.

Although dignifying the nutjobs who believe that sort of thing with the appellation of  'theorists' is too generous. Conspiracy fantasists seems closer to the mark.

Having said that, the authorities have certainly taken advantage of the situation to bamboozle the American people into giving up large swathes of their rights and precious liberty in the name of 'preventing' terrorism.

[bullet308]

Funny thing about demolishing tall buildings...it usually takes an assload of prep work, and you would think that the people that work in them would tend to notice all the beam-notching, pillar-drilling, wall-removal, and det cord-laying. Humans have a tendency to be curious about why people are knocking out the wall behind their desk and stuffing things that look a lot like dynamite into  holes in the floor. Humans are kinda' predictable like that...

[Uncle Vernon]

and many many people around the world believe that not only conspiracy theorists.

Many people believe all kinds of absurdity. Your statement, helping prove this assertion, beyond any possible refute.

[Rick]

and many many people around the world believe that not only conspiracy theorists.

Many people believe all kinds of absurdity. Your statement, helping prove this assertion, beyond any possible refute.

To me the absurdest thing in the world is to think that you can prepare such an attack of that scale and get unnoticed in a country like USA. Believe what you believe. But we don't have to believe what you consider sensible. Nothing has been said about the victims, the bodies of those who died in the Pentagon those who died in the plane that crashed in Pensylvannia. People have become childish and they believe all they are told on tv and we know who controls the media and this is called the Free world! Good joke.

[Uncle Vernon]

Believe what you believe.

I'd be a fool not to! 

But we don't have to believe what you consider sensible.

Yes, it's a free world, well our bit of it is anyway, and yes you are free to subscribe to whatever bunkum and crack-pottory you wish!

Nothing has been said about the victims

If you'd have listened I think you find volumes have been said....

the bodies, those who died in the Pentagon those who died in the plane that crashed in Pensylvannia.

UM just maybe an avgas fireball hot enough to melt aluminium may have accounted for quite a bit of missing....

People have become childish and they believe all they are told on tv and we know who controls the media and this is called the Free world!

We all know Rupert is a prize ass, but I am quite sure he had nothing to do with any early September Jihad.  Don't forget that tinfoil hat.

[Rick]

There are too many unanswered questions as I pointed out. None of these questions have been answered. We do not have to believe the absurdities of the American news channels and the US government. You see how intolerant you are when someone comes to challenge your beliefs. Political religious or whatever. And you talk about free speech.

[Rick]

Nothing has been said about the victims

If you'd have listened I think you find volumes have been said....

the bodies, those who died in the Pentagon those who died in the plane that crashed in Pensylvannia.

UM just maybe an avgas fireball hot enough to melt aluminium may have accounted for quite a bit of missing....

Not true I have read so many stuff but those details are missing. Nothing have been shown of that plane. It just evaporated.

[Rick]

There are too many unanswered questions as I pointed out. None of these questions have been answered. We do not have to believe the absurdities of the American news channels and the US government. You see how intolerant you are when someone comes to challenge your beliefs. Political religious or whatever. And you talk about free speech.

Explain to me what the so-called conspirators have to gain. How such significant number of people can keep the conspiracy a secret. Governments in Canada can’t even keep an upcoming budget a secret, let alone a massive cover-up involving treason and mass murder.

Just let me remind you the question of an experienced US journalist who asked the White House spokesman before cameras : "Was it necessary to kill 2800 persons?" She got no answer. May she is a fool too ...
I think she lost her job. I do not remember her name but she was present at every press conference of the White House.

It was probably to occupy Afganistan and present Islam as a politicial ennemi. Islam replaced the communism as an ennemi.

[Mechatrommer]

You see how intolerant you are when someone comes to challenge your beliefs. Political religious or whatever.

I would hope you are actually joking in your belief of a conspiracy; frankly it’s so ludicrous it doesn’t even deserve a response.

when someone post a link to the source video leading to the riot/gathering/speech of the linked news by OP and a frank comment video by a fellow american about it, it will get deleted with respond "your attempt were irrelevant" but when someone post about twin tower jihad that happened 10 years ago then it got passed for another discussion. this is not "conspiracy", but the god damn modern civilized truth the truth is, the person in power will decide which one is free and which one to be trashed. yes, i should not respond to all this ludicrous.

[Rick]

What is in Afghanistan that is worth the human loss and the trillions of dollars spent there?

Strategically it is very important as the ultimate goal are China and the huge resources in Siberia but you will not get there. Do not worry.

Islam doesn’t need any assistance in that regard. Thanks to some fanatics and a mainly sympathetic people they are doing a fine job in that department by themselves.

I agree there is a fertile ground in there for extremists however your secret services contribute actively in the success of these people in their respective societies. Then you come to destroy them and establish military bases. Even after the removal of US troops there will be US bases in Afganistan and soon you will see that US will engage in political dialogue with the Taleban. There are signs of that. Even Hamid Karzai is asking for political dialogue. Would you sit around the same table as the terrorists of Taleban? I wouldn't but apparently your guys are very keen to do that.

Neither of you know what it is like to live in a society with a free media and the freedoms we have. This is obvious by your ludicrous statements.

I have spent 10 years in so called "free societies". I know how they work and I knew people in those societies who considered democracy an unnecessary "luxury". So I know what I am talking about. I have seen journalists fired from TV channels for their political views. That even happens in USA nowadays. Well it is not the political power, the actual rulers who fire them of course, neverthless nobody can deny the interaction between the political parties, media and the administration.

[Mechatrommer]

Strategically it is very important as the ultimate goal are China and the huge resources in Siberia but you will not get there. Do not worry.

their next enemy is asteroid and alien from mars. but only if, only if curiosity project is a success. their current enemy is "we know who", hence one of the attempt is the video?

[amvakar]

I have spent 10 years in so called "free societies". I know how they work and I knew people in those societies who considered democracy an unnecessary "luxury". So I know what I am talking about. I have seen journalists fired from TV channels for their political views. That even happens in USA nowadays. Well it is not the political power, the actual rulers who fire them of course, neverthless nobody can deny the interaction between the political parties, media and the administration.

How could one consider democracy anything more than a luxury? Its survival signifies that there is such inherent stability in a society that people will be electrified by outright lies and ignore fundamental issues of government and vote on pure ignorance, and still people go on as they always have.

[JoannaK]

Enemy of the state ... 

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/us-calls-assange-enemy-of-state-20120927-26m7s.html