Right up to his death, he couldn't or wouldn't even save himself.

Funny. A academic elitist calling another brainwashed.

You sound like any other academic pinhead I had to endure while in school. You are just the other side of the coin. The contempt for those with whom you don't agree shows, especially in the above quote.

fixed.

My guess is that you are responsible for far more dead kittens than live baby seals.

You ain't lyin'.

What is your problem?

My problem is that I enjoy intelligent discussion. I enjoy disagreement in the form of "I disagree and here's why..." but all I get is "If you believe a then you must also believe b, c, and d, and are therefore a socialist, nazi, tree-hugger, retard, etc."

I believe in the right to bear arms. According to the logic of many around here, that would have to make me a bush-loving redneck. I simply wish we could discuss the issues at hand rather than seeking only for evidence of an ideological category with which to dismiss each other's opinions without argument.

I prioritize the perpetuation of the human race over the perpetuation of any particular government. For some reason, that makes me crazy as hell. I'd like to understand why others feel that is so, but even after begging nobody is willing to give an answer.

You said that those who don't agree with you are brainwashed dittoheads. I just pointed out that you were just as brainwashed, but by the world of academia, rather than some loudmouth on the radio.

What did I say that was incorrect?

I called him a brainwashed dittohead for doing exactly what I just described. It had nothing to do with disagreement.

I read the post again and you're correct that it wasn't over a disagreement. My apologies.

As for being a world citizen, that comes after being an American for me. It always has and always will. That's just how I am. I feel that the US is the only country on the planet that will afford me the possibility to be as successful as I can, because of capitalism. That's why I don't abide by the world citizen way of living. I put my family and myself before anything else, because it is my duty to do so. I couldn't have the same opportunity to do so in any other country, so for that, I am grateful and is the reason why I believe in patriotism, or if you want to call it nationalism, so be it. That is why I show respect to the flag and have absolutely no problem with the Pledge of Allegiance. I don't care if others feel differently, as that is their choice.

I believe in self sufficiency and paying as few taxes as possible.

I believe in the right to bear arms as well, but that doesn't make me a Bush loving redneck, nor does it make you one and I fail to see how you came to the conclusion that someone thinks you ought to be a Bush supporter just because you approve of the 2nd Amendment.

I believe that the less government there is, the better off we all are.

I could go on, but I won't. I will say, however, that I came to believe all this on my own and not because I listen to talk radio. In fact, you could say that after being in a liberal arts college for 4 years in the northeast, surrounded by so many that belittled me for my political beliefs, I became even more conservative in my ways than when I started school.

I apologize for this not making much sense, but I'm tired and am thinking more about the turkey in my fridge that would make a great sandwich.

I appreciate your thoughts, and honestly agree with much of what you've written. I come from a perspective of being jaded with politics and dealing with animal extinction. Knowing that 99% of all species have gone extinct, and that it really wouldn't take much for the same to happen to humans, I tend to worry more about humanity as a whole than the citizens of any particular nation, but I acknowledge that my background is the root of that perspective, and realize that others are likely to think differently, particularly those who have served in government or military, for instance.

It really becomes a lot harder to dismiss someone as a socialist or a redneck or a retard or whatever when one tries to actually understand the other person's viewpoint, rather than only working toward vilification. I realize I am guilty of this as well, but I usually at least try. May we all strive harder to do so. In the name of wait uh never mind.