en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/769677 Comments by ChiefMaybe https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/avatar-and-the-white-mans-burden__trashed/#IDComment56585800 I do not agree at all with this. The movie Avatar, in my own opinion, was just to show the people what kind of new technology is available for layering into a movie screen. The 3 dimensionality of this movie is almost incomprehensible and is entirely breathtaking to think how far we have come, and this movie is the first of its breed. I think he read way to into the story line, where-as I believe the producers and directors of the film just wanted to basically create a visually stimulation experience for the techno-geeks of the world. This movies plot was lacking, but the special effects feast kept eyes salivating and wanting more. If I were a critic I wouldn’t complain to much about the story line as I would be praising the time, effort, and money thrown at this technologically advanced for-our-time project. Two thumbs up. Sat, 13 Feb 2010 02:37:32 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/avatar-and-the-white-mans-burden__trashed/#IDComment56585800 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/all-that-is-solid-melts-into-air-including-our-words__trashed/#IDComment56585130 The loss of a language is heartbreaking and saddening news. It just shows we focus on everything but things that matter. For example in the new movie star trek, Spock (Sylar from Heroes) is willing to risk his life logically to rescue the history of his entire people. Not sure how many of us would ever be able to even fathom the sheer magnitude of a decision like that but history is supposed to be preserved through time. This is why I believe that it is truly a devastating loss and I agree with Dr. Richards whole heartedly on this. Sat, 13 Feb 2010 02:30:38 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/all-that-is-solid-melts-into-air-including-our-words__trashed/#IDComment56585130 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/animals-vs-humans-vs-welfare-cheats__trashed/#IDComment56584623 I cannot speak on part of what this politician meant when he said “his grandmother told him at a very young age not to feed stray animals”. I can however, relate to what he must have meant on a spur of the moment questioning, though it seems immoral nonetheless. I really wouldn’t even know where to begin to break down his train of thought other than he thinks that we are just giving poor people free money. Though, not entirely accurate I believe there is some truth to this statement. I have heard of stories that date back decades ago. People that are not very wealthy have adopted children with the intention of collecting welfare on their behalf. Now to me, that is more immoral than stating an opinion that holds at the very least, some grain of validity. Though its not politically correct to the standards of today, I can understand both sides of this argument, and that may have adverse reactions and ignite some fellow classmates thoughts, but not everyone out there on welfare has the best intentions in mind for the children that not only need this money but depend on it for survival. It reminds me of a story I heard about that occurred decades ago where ordinary citizens were assigning their pets social security numbers in order to claim them as dependents for tax exemptions. Immoral as it sounds, why not get a free hand out with how much the system screws us over, why not try to screw it back? Welfare recipients have to fall in a very low tax bracket, to even be considered for the welfare program you have to make an extremely limited income, so when I read that you write about rich people receiving welfare, I really don’t know where that information is coming from, unless you are talking about immoral tax write-offs and such for free money? I am under the assumption, coming from a career in the military where they pay us just barely over the threshold to receive welfare benefits, so again, I am not sure of the validity of your argument on rich people receiving benefit from this program. Nevertheless, if I fell under the threshold of welfare requirements I would be sure to collect this hand out. Who declares what is immoral and wrong, besides a society that is not worth its weight in gold nor would I ever be tempted to idolize. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I receive a monthly living allowance stipend from the GI Bill along with medical retirement pay, and I would be unable to be in school without that free money. So I guess this argument goes both ways and the moral and point of my two cents I guess would be, this dude can call me a stray animal all day long as well. I would not care, nor think any less of himself or myself for receiving additional funds that come from the tax payers wallet and lastly, I would thank him for his own contribution. Sat, 13 Feb 2010 02:25:23 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/02/animals-vs-humans-vs-welfare-cheats__trashed/#IDComment56584623 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/the-enlightened-west-knows-best__trashed/#IDComment54364246 In my own opinion formed from observation and personal experience from being in South West Asia, there is nothing more pure than a woman who wears a drab garment, plain and simple. To me, this expresses their true being verses what brands of makeup, shoes and purses they own. This isn’t to say that every single female that resides in Middle Eastern countries like Saudi-Arabia and Qatar aren’t trying to project more from this humble outfit, though. The Western culture has spread to some of the more prosperous areas and even more-so to the Souqs (little shopping streets). You can notice that in some of the more wealthy areas that women clothing is fashionably decorated with beads, precious gems and made of finer woven fabrics. But the purity factor still remains more-so than any Euro-American fashion designer in the clothing industry. I would have to agree from visually observing this that the majority of these women do not feel obligated or threatened to wear this kind of clothing in any way shape or form. Granted, I have not visited all Middle Eastern countries and I am sure that there are some where it is a lot more strict (ie. women walking 30 paces behind any man, can’t be seen without their veil, the stories of oppression you can read about in the news, etc) but I have walked among this culture and there is more respect, in my own opinion, from a woman who has the decency to be observed pure, than some half naked woman dancing on a pole, whether for religious or personal growth beliefs. As far as banning individuals from wearing burqas, I really cannot see this even being a possibility. If someone claims donning a veil to be of spiritual importance then I would imagine any decent human being would accept that as a legitimate reason. I however, do not have any sort of credentials on French Government/Laws so this is purely opinion based. I think the important thing is that these are people under all of that clothing who, are most probably enlightened individuals who want nothing or very little to do with our present day imitation “fashion” where huge sunglasses that cover up the entirety of the human face, and caked on makeup is what this make believe society deems acceptable. This is all relevant to this new movie called “The Surrogates” starring Bruce Willis. The movie is about humans that buy robots to control, from their own homes which can look like anything they desire. It’s actually a really good movie, and I would suggest seeing it for anyone who is interested in watching a mentally stimulating movie to free your mind from the control of the “box”. Regardless of all the different speculations and conclusions, if these women want to dress like baggy ninjas, who are we as equals to forbid their desire to do so? We are nothing more than a hypocritical society of half naked puppets and walking advertisements for what we all are taught is socially acceptable. So… what does that make the pure ones in question? Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:46:34 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/the-enlightened-west-knows-best__trashed/#IDComment54364246 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/the-enlightened-west-knows-best__trashed/#IDComment54369560 In my own opinion formed from observation and personal experience from being in South West Asia, there is nothing more pure than a woman who wears a drab garment, plain and simple. To me, this expresses their true being verses what brands of makeup, shoes and purses they own. This isn’t to say that every single female that resides in Middle Eastern countries like Saudi-Arabia and Qatar aren’t trying to project more from this humble outfit, though. The Western culture has spread to some of the more prosperous areas and even more-so to the Souqs (little shopping streets). You can notice that in some of the more wealthy areas that women clothing is fashionably decorated with beads, precious gems and made of finer woven fabrics. But the purity factor still remains more-so than any Euro-American fashion designer in the clothing industry. I would have to agree from visually observing this that the majority of these women do not feel obligated or threatened to wear this kind of clothing in any way shape or form. Granted, I have not visited all Middle Eastern countries and I am sure that there are some where it is a lot more strict (ie. women walking 30 paces behind any man, can’t be seen without their veil, the stories of oppression you can read about in the news, etc) but I have walked among this culture and there is more respect, in my own opinion, from a woman who has the decency to be observed pure, than some half naked woman dancing on a pole, whether for religious or personal growth beliefs. As far as banning individuals from wearing burqas, I really cannot see this even being a possibility. If someone claims donning a veil to be of spiritual importance then I would imagine any decent human being would accept that as a legitimate reason. I however, do not have any sort of credentials on French Government/Laws so this is purely opinion based. I think the important thing is that these are people under all of that clothing who, are most probably enlightened individuals who want nothing or very little to do with our present day imitation “fashion” where huge sunglasses that cover up the entirety of the human face, and caked on makeup is what this make believe society deems acceptable. This is all relevant to this new movie called “The Surrogates” starring Bruce Willis. The movie is about humans that buy robots to control, from their own homes which can look like anything they desire. It’s actually a really good movie, and I would suggest seeing it for anyone who is interested in watching a mentally stimulating movie to free your mind from the control of the “box”. Regardless of all the different speculations and conclusions, if these women want to dress like baggy ninjas, who are we as equals to forbid their desire to do so? We are nothing more than a hypocritical society of half naked puppets and walking advertisements for what we all are taught is socially acceptable. So… what does that make the pure ones in question? Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:46:34 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/the-enlightened-west-knows-best__trashed/#IDComment54369560 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/racism-looks-pretty-good-on-this-side-of-the-atlantic__trashed/#IDComment54369408 The world is so messed up. I feel so bad for those that are oppressed in anyway. It’s a sad time that we live in where we can’t wrap our minds around the concept that we are equals regardless of what color we are or what or who we believe in (considering this battle has been going on indefinitely). I feel as though if I had a different skin color other than white I would be more on the receiving end of racism. Of course I have been called cracker and whitey, but this was primarily from friends who were not white and it was said in jest never in a harmful manner. I do not agree at all, nor understand how these European football fans could even have the audacity and lack of compassion for another human being in such magnitude. It’s so upsetting that we live in a world where instead of focusing on bringing everything together as one, we fight to pull ourselves apart. I just can not imagine adults that are this unknowledgeable and close minded about something as irrelevant as skin color or religious perspectives. It blows my mind we haven’t evolved into intelligent beings yet. I think it’s because of the fact how malleable a child’s mind is. You can make the argument that Plato’s allegory of the cave and these current issues are comparable in that we truly know nothing. A famous quote comes to mind “I have a dream”, and that’s all this ever seems to amount to, is a fantasy that we can live in peace. One can only hope that someday we can all live and breathe in peace among each other... But after all, it is only a dream. Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:44:25 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/racism-looks-pretty-good-on-this-side-of-the-atlantic__trashed/#IDComment54369408 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/i-guess-it-pays-to-learn-a-bit-about-other-people__trashed/#IDComment54365785 Well, I have to admit I have never heard of this Jewish ritualistic prayer. I would like to say though, if I witnessed this occurring on a flight that I was on, I would be very weary and would be watching his every action. If it seemed appropriate at the time I would most likely subdue him. You may think that’s irrational and wrong, but I like to think of a phrase we learned in the military, “When in doubt, whip it out” (of course this was just for saluting officers) but its primary meaning is “better safe than sorry”. I think that this boy served a purpose to enlighten individuals of this ritual. Not every individual is aware of different practices and this is just an easy way to spread the knowledge. So, like I said, better safe than sorry. In conclusion, at least there was a peaceful outcome and this Jewish religious ritual got some recognition. Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:02:11 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/i-guess-it-pays-to-learn-a-bit-about-other-people__trashed/#IDComment54365785 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/last-name-begins-with-w__trashed/#IDComment54364342 Scott Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:46:18 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/last-name-begins-with-w__trashed/#IDComment54364342 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/clubbing-the-bejesus-out-of-rationality__trashed/#IDComment53508197 Pat Robertson, well what is there to say? Obviously this man truly believes that he is a being who can speak on part of the “bigger plan” without consequence. Taking the actual horrific event that happened in Haiti and having the audacity to speak so cold heartedly about the hardship the Haitians and foreign nationals will now have to endure. Stating that he is optimistic, and now they will have the ability to rebuild. I found it kind of ironic in one of the key elements through his wording about the Dominican Republic saying that it was “prosperous with resorts”. I asked myself the question (thinking from the perspective of a believer in the bible might) what is spiritually prosperous about resorts, high-end fashion retailers and main line food chains? Now, Pat and I may differ on our spiritual perspective but it is obvious that he is surrounded by the American influence ten-fold. He is just another self absorbed American trying so desperately to gain wealth and power. His followers should feel ashamed for not having their own capacity to lead themselves. Little robot followers (like the majority of the people who claim to be religious) without the ability to make their own conscious decisions and follow without question. Instead of ridiculing Pat for his obvious lack of apathy, I feel absolute sorrow for this man. It would seem he is so used to being able to bullshit his way out of a corner having to deal with questions about the religious aspect of his savior that he failed to realize that thousands of men, women and children lost their lives in this catastrophe. He answers these questions throughout the interview without thought or feeling for those that are experiencing the loss of loved ones. It is pointless to argue how worthless and soul-less this one man is. He is ONE-MAN, instead we should all be focusing our energy doing what we can to help, instead of wasting time talking about how this one man has a really shallow disposition on what happened. Just to reiterate, there is no need to traverse to his level of infinitesimal life. He is exactly like most of the people you meet on the streets today. The only difference is he is in a position where he could influence man kind for the better but instead it seems he chooses not to. That is his choice. One could argue the fact however, that he is old and for those of you who hold anger in your hearts for how ridiculously pathetic he is, he WILL die sometime soon, so you will get the last laugh and Haiti, will still be in turmoil until everyone can stop wasting time on pointless shit, and offer a helping hand. Sat, 23 Jan 2010 04:55:31 +0000 https://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/01/clubbing-the-bejesus-out-of-rationality__trashed/#IDComment53508197