In response to a NY Times OP-ED, in which King of Russ-- I mean President Valdmir Putin spoke on the topic of useless military actions and pointed out how god made us all equal. I think he really taught America how brazen use of violent force is wrong, and he would know.
John McCain, senator of some state where nothing unfair ever happens, found Putin's piece hypocritical. “You should be governed by a rule of law that is clear, consistently and impartially enforced and just. I make that claim because I believe the Russian people, no less than Americans, are endowed by our Creator with inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Said the senator who has repeatedly voted against gay equality in America while his own wife and daughter publicly support it.
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If Putin wanted to lecture us about not invading a country until the UN can decide the matter he shouldn't have invaded Georgia just a few years ago.
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005
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I was more worried Putin's audacity (being right or wrong) by addressing the American people would make us collectively go "Oh no you didn't!" and tell congress and the President to go ahead and bomb anyone they damn well please.
Posts: 382 | Registered: Jan 2008
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I think Putin said some things that needed to be said.
But I think he also said things that were almost DESIGNED to not be well-received by the vast majority of Americans. Either he did it knowing we wouldn't take it well, or he really doesn't get how brainwashed Americans are into believed they're the bestest country ever.
The thing is, believe in American Exceptionalism or not, I think there's an argument to be made that America is exceptional in the sense that it's unlike any other country on earth. In fact I'd support that as true, it's exceptional.
But most Americans take "exceptional" to mean "better than," and that's where you lose me, and the rest of the world.
The opening rant on the first episode of Newsroom pretty much nailed how I feel about it.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
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quote:Originally posted by Jon Boy: Putin can be the world's biggest hypocrite and still be right, you know.
Sure, his logic is fine. But if he wanted to *lecture* us about it, well...it's hard to take an argument seriously if the person giving it doesn't actually believe it, and just wants me to believe that he does.
If he's going to play by different rules, don't try to get us to play by the ones he ignores.
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Fair enough. Even if he's right, his apparent hypocrisy is going to turn off a lot of readers.
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Don't get me wrong though. I really appreciate that fallacy being pointed out as it blocks so much meaningful change.
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Unfortunately not only does Putin's (undeniable, enormous) hypocrisy in almost all of the op-ed make it easier for people I brush it aside, it also makes it easier for people to brush it off when people who *aren't* corrupt, autocratic thugs try to make the same points,
Posts: 17164 | Registered: Jun 2001
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quote:Originally posted by Lyrhawn: I think Putin said some things that needed to be said.
But I think he also said things that were almost DESIGNED to not be well-received by the vast majority of Americans. Either he did it knowing we wouldn't take it well, or he really doesn't get how brainwashed Americans are into believed they're the bestest country ever.
The thing is, believe in American Exceptionalism or not, I think there's an argument to be made that America is exceptional in the sense that it's unlike any other country on earth. In fact I'd support that as true, it's exceptional.
But most Americans take "exceptional" to mean "better than," and that's where you lose me, and the rest of the world.
The opening rant on the first episode of Newsroom pretty much nailed how I feel about it.
As I was reading your post I was planning on posting the Newsroom rant in response until I read your last sentence. It was such a well done scene. The substance loses me though when he starts to talk about how America used to be so great and had so much more morality than we do now. Really? We used to have segregation and racism all over the place, but we used to be more ethical than we are now? Oh please.
Posts: 2054 | Registered: Nov 2005
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I just watched it for the first time, and I agree wholeheartedly with Gaal. He dismisses American idealism only to revert to American idealism. Looks like a great show though.
Posts: 2302 | Registered: Aug 2008
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quote:Originally posted by GaalDornick: It's an awesome show. Definitely worth watching, especially if you're into politics at all.
Even if you're not into politics it's still a great show. My favorite thing is the whole relationship mess that is Will and Mac.
Posts: 891 | Registered: Feb 2010
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