09-08-2007, 04:54 PM
(Some of my ramblings are not a direct reply to you Munk, some are just a response to the thread points in general. The ones with a +1 comment are mostly in agreement to your points though.)
>The problem I have with imaging a society that functions such a way is there's no flexibility. There's no room to let bygones be bygones, to turn the other cheek.
+1 to that. Also while I agree that to forget history is to be doomed to repeat it, there is such a thing as taking it too far. Are people going to be all up in arms when someone uses an archaic slur, like 'blackguard'? Onoez! It's racist! Or is it?
http://recycledknowledge.blogspot.com/2005...ouse-wives.html
As mentioned in this thread already, some words and terms have been declawed or changed due to time and context. Some gains a new negative meaning. A lot has to do with it's context and fashion. For all I know, 100 years from now the foulest word one can utter in the future would be what's benign in our time. Like, um, plebiscite.
"Your mother unit00d1 frungles with plebiscites, you blackguard!' (That will sting so much worse than being called a 'Maroon' in about 100 years.)
>But the truth is this man isn't a hero like Ella Baker. It wasn't an effective and organized protest for change like SNCC's freedom rides. Standing up for your rights is about a goal.
+1 again. This blogger did not play smart imo by 'playing dumb'. He should've thought about playing to win.
Playing the reluctant hero card is tenuous at best to me right now.
All this talk about rights and knowing your rights fighting for your rights, hey I got a question. Where's the other side of that coin, responsibility?
This blogger had a responsibility to keep his cool since his siblings sounds like they were too young to sign up for this kind of fight. That doesn't mean children should not learn about civic rights, duties and responsibilities, but the situation described is not the best way to impart a meaningful lesson.
He had opportunities to de-escalate, and pick a better time to fight. But like a lot of people, it sounds like he got swept up by the moment. While I can understand that, it's no great excuse. And I'm speaking from personal experience on that.
As for the cop, he might have very well be in the wrong. But here's my 2 cents on it. I grew up in a country where if you were stopped by the local police, you better have the bribe ready. If there was a crime in your neighbourhood, the police would be the last people you want to inform, because they can make things worse.
When I moved to N. America, my experiences with cops were quite different. Does that mean that they are perfect? Hell no. There's definitely some bad apples, corrupt and rotten to the core. Nothing more than a bully with a badge. But in my experience at least, they are in the minority overall and there are still some safeguards to deal with that kind of situation. YMMV.
But let's get real for a second. Most cops want to know only 2 things when they first arrive. Who are you, and are you a Bad Guy? Did this blogger clearly identified himself as the guy who called the cops in the first place?
It's amazing what can happen if you manage to get the cop to relax by helping him realize you are -not- a Bad Guy, and the cops can sympathize with you. They might actually help you! Does that mean you surrender all your rights to anyone with a badge? Of course not. But it's amazing what can happen if you try to put yourself in the flat foot's shoes and act accordingly. They might even -gasp- be on your side.
Bottom line for me and a final bow out.
For those who yell they know their rights, do they know their responsibilities as well?
>The problem I have with imaging a society that functions such a way is there's no flexibility. There's no room to let bygones be bygones, to turn the other cheek.
+1 to that. Also while I agree that to forget history is to be doomed to repeat it, there is such a thing as taking it too far. Are people going to be all up in arms when someone uses an archaic slur, like 'blackguard'? Onoez! It's racist! Or is it?
http://recycledknowledge.blogspot.com/2005...ouse-wives.html
As mentioned in this thread already, some words and terms have been declawed or changed due to time and context. Some gains a new negative meaning. A lot has to do with it's context and fashion. For all I know, 100 years from now the foulest word one can utter in the future would be what's benign in our time. Like, um, plebiscite.
"Your mother unit00d1 frungles with plebiscites, you blackguard!' (That will sting so much worse than being called a 'Maroon' in about 100 years.)
>But the truth is this man isn't a hero like Ella Baker. It wasn't an effective and organized protest for change like SNCC's freedom rides. Standing up for your rights is about a goal.
+1 again. This blogger did not play smart imo by 'playing dumb'. He should've thought about playing to win.
Playing the reluctant hero card is tenuous at best to me right now.
All this talk about rights and knowing your rights fighting for your rights, hey I got a question. Where's the other side of that coin, responsibility?
This blogger had a responsibility to keep his cool since his siblings sounds like they were too young to sign up for this kind of fight. That doesn't mean children should not learn about civic rights, duties and responsibilities, but the situation described is not the best way to impart a meaningful lesson.
He had opportunities to de-escalate, and pick a better time to fight. But like a lot of people, it sounds like he got swept up by the moment. While I can understand that, it's no great excuse. And I'm speaking from personal experience on that.
As for the cop, he might have very well be in the wrong. But here's my 2 cents on it. I grew up in a country where if you were stopped by the local police, you better have the bribe ready. If there was a crime in your neighbourhood, the police would be the last people you want to inform, because they can make things worse.
When I moved to N. America, my experiences with cops were quite different. Does that mean that they are perfect? Hell no. There's definitely some bad apples, corrupt and rotten to the core. Nothing more than a bully with a badge. But in my experience at least, they are in the minority overall and there are still some safeguards to deal with that kind of situation. YMMV.
But let's get real for a second. Most cops want to know only 2 things when they first arrive. Who are you, and are you a Bad Guy? Did this blogger clearly identified himself as the guy who called the cops in the first place?
It's amazing what can happen if you manage to get the cop to relax by helping him realize you are -not- a Bad Guy, and the cops can sympathize with you. They might actually help you! Does that mean you surrender all your rights to anyone with a badge? Of course not. But it's amazing what can happen if you try to put yourself in the flat foot's shoes and act accordingly. They might even -gasp- be on your side.
Bottom line for me and a final bow out.
For those who yell they know their rights, do they know their responsibilities as well?