Your view on the world today?

[Singe]

This ought to earn some attention or be buried in the pile of no posts.

So as the question states your view of the world today? Anything about the world is it good, bad, or crazy.

[molotov889]

Right now, I think the world needs some work, but in particular, I've been growing more and more dissatisfied with America. We're simply not living up to the spirit of freedom and independence that I thought this country was supposed to represent. Lately, though, the topics that have really been pushing my buttons are

1) The possibility of bringing back the draft. Seriously, what the heck is that all about? How does Bush justify bringing back the draft for a war that he OPTIONALLY got us in to. I'm sorry, but I don't believe the propoganda that Saddam was a threat. If he wanted to go after Al Qaeda and finally eliminate the group, then at least his claim of danger would make more sense (although I'd still disagree with bringing back the draft.) I personally saw this whole Iraq war as a) a chance for Bush to get back at the man who tried to kil his daddy (boo-hoo) and b) the president looking out too much for the big oil companies.

2) The whole gay marriage issue. I fail to see how denying gay people this right is anything less than violating their civil liberties. (Granted, I don't think that governors should be breaking the law right now to give this right. But legislation should definately NOT be passed that bans this right. Instead, it should be given simply as an acknowledgement of equality amongst all citizens.) It really would be discrimination if the Family Values (or whatever it's called) Ammendment passed. And if that right is violated, then there's been a precedent for people to be denied their freedoms. I'm sorry if you feel differently, but to me, that paints a pretty scary picture of the future.

3) Small, random stories you hear now and then. For example, the kid in (I think) Arizona who got ARRESTED for wearing his baseball cap to the side at school. This is an example of a lot of stories I've beenhearing lately about individuals who are being punished for standing out of the crowd. I'm afraid this nation is raising its children to be unquestioning, unthinking drones without a clear sense of self. Again, this is NOT the kind of future I would want to live in.

Having said that, I think it's been becoming more and more clear to me that I probably won't be living here in the future. The problem is that there aren't that many other countries who actually enjoy freedom as much as we do (despite my reserves about the future state of this freedom). I guess only time will tell.

[Joseph]

I tend to take a more philosophical approach. I'm a person on planet #3 and I was created to experience all of the aspects of life and its ups and downs.

Um, well, I'm sure the government could improve, but I know if I was running it, I couldn't do much better than they're doing now.

[Joseph]

My view on the world today? This is the world I live in, with all its joys and sorrows. It may not be ideal, but it's the only world I know.

My parents' friend Jean says that life is composed of three parts-- emotional, mental and physical-- and when a person is healthy in all these three areas they are a "healthy, happy person."

[Mystical Sand]

molotov889 said:

I'm afraid this nation is raising its children to be unquestioning, unthinking drones without a clear sense of self. Again, this is NOT the kind of future I would want to live in.

I totally agree with that. I think this whole conformity thing is getting way out of control. Censorship and conformity - they really get under my skin.

I don't like that other people are controlling what I am and am not allowed to see on TV/hear on the radio/what have you. If I want to turn on the TV and hear people talking like my friends and I talk (which involves at least one use of the f-word ::OMG~!:: per person per day), then I should be allowed to do so. But instead, people got offended, so *poof* no more f-word on TV. No more f-word on the radio. If you don't like it, then don't watch it, I say. I got fed up with all the censorship crap, so now I hardly watch TV or listen to the radio at all.

This applies especially to anime, where they tear apart entire plots to keep it all "kid-safe". (I'm not bitter about the dub of Yu-Gi-Oh, I swear...)

Conformity is another of my big problems. I have a friend who dresses like a "goth". She came with me on vacation to New Hampshire last summer. We walked into this restaurant, and EVERYBODY turned and stared at her like she was some sort of mental-hospital escapee. Why? I don't know. Maybe because they all have this pre-conceived notion that if you wear black and dye your hair 'weird' colors, it means you're a depressed, suicidal teenager who carries a gun around and likes to cause people pain. My friend is TOTALLY not like that. She's no more depressed than any of my other friends, and she doesn't like to cause people pain, and she's not suicidal...

Sorry, I'm kind of rambling, but I really get annoyed at things like this.

Finally, to add to molotov's other statement about the whole gay-marriage issue, my thoughts can be summed up with the following:
They aren't hurting anyone, so why can't we just let them do what they want?

I'm not going to go on a tangent about that (I do that enough in my weblog as it is).

Anyway... so yeah. The world. I don't know a lot about the rest of the world, but the world in which I live could use a bit of improvement. Elections are coming... I wish I could vote. X . X; One more year, darnit...

[Joseph]

Mystical said:

I don't like that other people are controlling what I am and am not allowed to see on TV/hear on the radio/what have you. If I want to turn on the TV and hear people talking like my friends and I talk (which involves at least one use of the f-word ::OMG~!:: per person per day), then I should be allowed to do so. But instead, people got offended, so *poof* no more f-word on TV. No more f-word on the radio. If you don't like it, then don't watch it, I say. I got fed up with all the censorship crap, so now I hardly watch TV or listen to the radio at all.

This applies especially to anime, where they tear apart entire plots to keep it all "kid-safe". (I'm not bitter about the dub of Yu-Gi-Oh, I swear...)

Well, if the producers of these anime were more aware that children might watch, then they wouldn't have to go back and censor things so much. In my mind, strong violence, nudity and profanity do not add to a show-- they take away from it. Most of the cartoons I watch don't have obscene content, and that's good because you don't have to go around censoring content-- it's fine how it is.

You don't want to see things that are completely crude on TV, do you? Wouldn't you think, "they can't show that on television!" As you know, we can't have such low standards.

When it comes to sexual references on TV, I think there's too many in shows today. However, I think that it's okay for adult shows have a little sexual reference now and then, as long as it's done in a subtle, clever way.

Mystical said:

Conformity is another of my big problems. I have a friend who dresses like a "goth". She came with me on vacation to New Hampshire last summer. We walked into this restaurant, and EVERYBODY turned and stared at her like she was some sort of mental-hospital escapee. Why? I don't know. Maybe because they all have this pre-conceived notion that if you wear black and dye your hair 'weird' colors, it means you're a depressed, suicidal teenager who carries a gun around and likes to cause people pain. My friend is TOTALLY not like that. She's no more depressed than any of my other friends, and she doesn't like to cause people pain, and she's not suicidal...

My idea is if you dress weird, be prepared to get weird looks. Since you disapprove of conformity so much, does this mean you won't be dressing like your gothic friend anytime soon?

[molotov889]

Yeah... the whole medicare thing where the white house FORCED someone not to talk about numbers that they knew were 150 MILLION dollars off, and where the white house made a FAKE news report for news stations to use- yeah, add that to my list of gripes. I liked the Daily Show's interpretation best. When they showed a clip of one of the official involved saying, "We simply followed standad public information practices," John Stewart said, "Yes, it's all right in the handbook," while a picture of the book 1984 appeared on the screen.

[Joseph]

I don't like watching the news a great deal. First of all, I don't want to know about all the car crashes in my city-- it doesn't add to my day. Secondly, there's the whole "we'll only tell you what our lawyers will let us say" thing as well. You have to watch out for the political slants too.

[Richard]

I find the News programs in the USA quite funny. They will do a whole depressing show about people dieing, then right at the end, about how some dog rang 911 and saved the house from burning down ;D

[Mystical Sand]

Joseph said:

You don't want to see things that are completely crude on TV, do you? Wouldn't you think, "they can't show that on television!" As you know, we can't have such low standards.

Honestly? I really wouldn't care all that much. If I was uncomfortable with it, I'd just change the channel. My main censorship issue is that if it happened - then show it! If the person was angry and they were swearing, then that's what they did. I'm not talking, like, 24-hour porn on TV (ick x . x; ), I'm just saying, real life isn't censored, and if they want to keep the realistic elements of their shows (especially on things like "reality" television, for crying out loud), then they should kick it down a notch.

And besides which, I'm not really so much talking about censoring nudity as I am about cutting out things like guns and cussing and blah blah blah. I think one of the most ludicrous things I have ever heard is all that stuff about violence on TV 'destroying America's youth' or whatever you want to call it.

I've played my share of violent video games, and I've watched my share of violent TV shows and movies. Heck, I used to listen to Eminem, back when I still listened to the radio. But have I ever killed anyone? No. Have I ever TRIED to kill anyone? No! The problem those people who go out and try the stuff they see on TV have is that they can't distinguish the difference between what they watch and what they actually DO. x . x But the majority of people have more common sense than that (or so I like to hope @ . @; ).

Joseph said:

My idea is if you dress weird, be prepared to get weird looks. Since you disapprove of conformity so much, does this mean you won't be dressing like your gothic friend anytime soon?

Number one: who defines what's "weird" and what's not? If you like it, then wear it. If it makes you feel more like yourself, then wear it. There's no "weird" when it comes to clothes, if you ask me. Think about it: if you were in a group full of goths, wouldn't that technically make you the odd-one-out? *shrugs* It's a matter of perception, and I think it kinda sucks that people use clothing as such a large basis for generalization. x . x;

Number two: I very well might start dressing that way. ^^V But it would be because I like the way it looks on me; I wouldn't be doing it just because my friend does.

[Joseph]

Mystical said:

I'm just saying, real life isn't censored, and if they want to keep the realistic elements of their shows (especially on things like "reality" television, for crying out loud), then they should kick it down a notch.

It's surprising to me that you have such loose standards of what you think should come into the homes and hearts of American families and children.

I love ya, Liz, but I gotta disagree with you in this sense.

Mystical said:

Number one: who defines what's "weird" and what's not? If you like it, then wear it. If it makes you feel more like yourself, then wear it. There's no "weird" when it comes to clothes, if you ask me. Think about it: if you were in a group full of goths, wouldn't that technically make you the odd-one-out? *shrugs* It's a matter of perception, and I think it kinda sucks that people use clothing as such a large basis for generalization. x . x;

Number two: I very well might start dressing that way. ^^V But it would be because I like the way it looks on me; I wouldn't be doing it just because my friend does.

Suuuuuure you wouldn't. Mm hm.

When a person deliberately goes wearing clothes that they know the average person would think is a little unusual, then someone should tell them that some other people might stare at them.

[Mystical Sand]

I'll agree to disagree if you will.

[Variable]

This topic rocks, I think this is the best topic you've ever come up with Adam, you've surprised even me.
I'll think about my thought for a while then post them.

[Variable]

First and foremost, the world has been a crazy place to live. Always has been, always will be. I do not believe that it is feasible to have "Everyone living in harmony". There will always be tension between people. That is part of the human condition. Everytime people try to 'come together' and live in peace, someone comes along and blatantly defiles that peace.

About bringing back the draft: Screw Bush, I hate this country. If they bring the draft back then I will proudly move to Canada and become a citizen of the British Empire. They can't draft someone who is not a citizen of their country now can they?

Gay Marriage: Why should I care? It's not like they are making me marry them. Besides, they are all going to die horrible disease ridden deaths, every last one of them. Also, in a free country where everyone is supposed to be 'equal' then, why are people up in arms over gay people wanting to get married?

Censorship: I pay good money for my Internet and Cable TV, if I want to see some naked chicks on there and they have naked chick channels, then WHY NOT!? J/K But, everyone I hear who is for or against censorship all say "THink of the children" they can bite....

Er, uh, yeah.

Slavery still exists. It's true. Except now you have more control over who your Master is and where you live. Think about it.

Also, my opinion over why we are fighting a war in Iraq is not because of Hussein, though, he is what the media spin doctors are having us think. I feel that we are there because of... oil, black gold, Texas tea, you get my point. We hire an oil president then we get in a war in the Mid East and gas prices skyrocket (remember his dad?) when he leaves and we get out of there, then they'll fall again. Watch.

I have posted messages on this and other boards about my distaste for this country right now and how I want to leave. Then again, I am thinking of running for office eventually, I may stick around and see if I can make a difference.

Stand tall, you won't fall. Even a wolf gets lonely every now and then.

[Mystical Sand]

::Warning - the following rant was written after my having just been in a fight with my family; pent-up anger may result in my opinions being given in a not-so-nice manner; no offense is meant.::

Augh, the draft. *gags* Forgot to touch on that.

I wouldn't fight in a war if you paid me. They would have to drag me kicking and screaming, and then I'd probably fail the medical bit anyway, so it'd be a big old waste of everyone's time.

War, in my honest (and not very nice) opinion, is the stupidest concept ever, and I absolutely 100% DO NOT support it at all whatsoever. The senseless killing of people is no way to go about solving problems. You can't justify war. I don't care why the war started; it's still wrong.

I'm a firm believer that "the pen is mightier than the sword". Granted, it'd have the potential to take a heck of a lot longer to decide on a "victor" if conflicts were solved using words rather than violence, but for gods' sakes - who cares? Just do it. Stop killing people out of anger/spite/revenge/whatever. It's bad.

We need to get the f*** out of Iraq; it's already been made clear that we're not going to find Bin Laden; we've got no reason to be there anymore. (And don't get me started on the whole "We're helping them gain freedom!" thing... why do they need our help? Let them gain their own freedom - it'll be better for them in the long run. We gained OUR own freedom; they can too.)

I joke around about how great it'd be to own a tank and blah blah blah, but I wouldn't actually go and get in one and kill people. That's why people invented video games. If you want to "kill" someone, do it on your TV where you aren't actually hurting anyone. ><

Case in point: If I ever got drafted, I'd get on the first plane out of this country, become a citizen of England (or maybe Canada or Austrailia), and change my name.

Yes, that is a bit of an overreaction, but I WOULD be hella-angry, and I WOULD NOT go fight. They'd have to drug me.

I wish I could vote. Do me a favor, everyone that's old enough; get Bush the frig out of office. x . x;