Farkel:
Okay, about the grammar...I realize you know your stuff. I was responding to what I perceived as you trying to beat up your opponents with an air of intellectual superiority, which angers me to no small degree. I suppose I thought I'd give you a taste of your own medicine. Let's put that little episode behind us.
I have to say I was heartened to hear that you disagree with Bush's insane push for a constitutional amendment. My goodness. How can this man be leading the free world? Leading us back to the dark ages, he is.
But I still had to disagree with you one one point:
I do have a problem with foreigners who have "authority" like Simon using that "authority" as a soapbox in an attempt (possibly) to attempt to change the opinion of genuine American voters.
Come on, man. That is absurd. In your world, no one in any perceived position of authority should make a political statement. After all, would it not represent that person using his position of authority as a soapbox? Are you saying that the mere act of making an opinion on this board represents a misuse of his authority? Simon did not say, "As Supreme Adminstrator of this board, I declare that Bush shall not be President in 2004."
And what's this about changing the opinion of "genuine American voters"? What, voters aren't intelligent to listen to a variety of political opinions and make an informed choice? Voters are going to be bowled over by the glorious soapboxes of authoritative foreigners? I will refer you to a quote from Thomas Jefferson:
I know of no safe repository of the ultimate power of society but the people. And if we think them not enlightened enough, the remedy is not to take power from them, but to inform them by education.
Forgive me if I'm understanding you incorrectly, but it sounds to me like you think the common voter "not enlightened enough" - that without carefully guarding them from thoughts and opinions which may be persuasive or even come from "foreigners who have 'authority,' " they might quickly have their senses overwhelmed and their genuine American opinions changed! I say, the more political dialogue we have, the better. I'd like to see everyone comment, from least to greatest on any scale of authority, real or imagined. I honestly can think of no legitimate reason to supress anyone's ideas, least of all by calling them "obviously prejudiced" and accusing that person of abusing authority. SNG