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Posted on 04/09/2004 10:08:59 AM PDT by MegaSilver
Often when hearing some of my fellow students' opinions, I feel like I'm listening to a condensed and neatly-packed week's worth of misleading rhetoric from Fox News. The lack of political diversity in some of these positions typically sounds like the children of Ann Coulter and Sean Hannity spewing neo-con banter, such as the view that because the Spanish people ousted the conservative party, terrorism won.
As an "impudent liberal," as these people would call me, I feel it to be my American duty to respond to these brash, conservative contentions.
Why is every action outside of the extreme Bush agenda a victory for the terrorists? Instead of flinging around "terrorist," let's look at the facts regarding Spain.
The self-proclaimed Partido Popular was apparently not too popular after all. They had been defying the will of the Spanish people by allying with the Bush administration. In fact, only 13 percent of the Spanish people were in favor of the invasion of Iraq. I may not be a math major, but 13 percent doesn't sound very Popular to me. One of Prime Minister-elect Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero's pledges during the campaign was to withdraw Spanish troops from Iraq. Considering the support for Iraq, I'd have to guess that it was a popular platform.
Following the 3/11 attacks, Spanish government officials blamed ETA - dismissing the possibility that Al-Qaeda was responsible. As mounting evidence refuted the government's claims, Spaniards criticized the Partido not-so-Popular for withholding information to prevent a foreign policy backlash. Voter turnout was high, especially among youth (what a concept!), at 77.2 percent, 9 percent more than in 2000.
The Spaniards didn't hand the country over to Al-Qaeda; they were just tired of being lied to by their government. I can relate!
I'll let Zapatero respond to my neo-conservative friends' fear-inducing implications that "Socialist" is synonymous to unabashedly soft on terrorism: "My immediate priority will be to combat all kinds of terrorism...The terrorists must know that they will confront all of us together. We will win."
Spain was combating terror Bush's way, and look what happened. The fact that the people of a country formerly known as one of our closest allies elected a leftist, anti-Iraq party does not indicate a victory for Al-Qaeda; on the contrary, it does indicate a victory for the people of Spain, who sought to punish the Partido un-Popular. I share similar sentiments as I look forward to punishing the Partido Republicano in November.
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FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794
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It is in the breaking news sidebar! |
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The supreme irony is that while indicting Ann Coulter, Fox News, "Neoconservatives," et. al. for convoluted ranting, his column is little more than a rant itself.
This from someone who probably was against Clinton's impeachment for lying under oath.
SHUT THE F UP!!!
Democrats are asking for terrorists to kill more Americans in Iraq, so that they can win back political power.
Of course, Kerry is not going to come right out and say, "If ahhhhhh win in November, I prooooomise that I will withdraw aaaaall Americam troops from Iraq." Or has he? Did he say that and I missed it?
But the terrorists and their allies here in the US know that their best chance for acheiving their goals is President Kerry.
This may sound harsh, but it seems pretty clear to me right now. Just listen to what crat mouthpieces are saying.
At this point I stopped reading.
If I could vote tomorrow to repeal the amendment that gives me the right to vote for the next two years, I would do it in a second.
Have you been on a campus lately? ^_^ They've become exceedingly bad, both intellectually and morally.
It was written in my school's newspaper; I posted it as an example.
You're right, though... I think liberals are too blind to realize just how anti-American their sentiments are.
I caught that, too. I have to give this cat some credit, however, for attempting to form an argument and make his case from that rather than just screaming "racist!!" and walking smugly away. It also gives me hope to hear that college kids are voicing the conservative arguments on campus that are forcing these leftists to actually debate the subject at hand (albeit very poorly).
They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable--and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.
It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! -- Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775
The Conservatives on my campus are there, but we're not as well-networked or organized as we'd like to be. I'm looking into getting our club a Senate seat on Student Government and just fleshing it out and expanding it in general. Political dialogue at UM is of substantially low quality--often even from the right, sadly enough.
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