Yet another religious cult raided

[kandrathe]

Here your incapability for understanding what other people (other than rednecks) think shows again.:D

You think about certain thinks politically but don't realize that a large part of the free world doesn't support these conservative ideas. I am not saying you are wrong or right, everybody can think whatever he or she wants, but to start blaming 'organized left-wingers' and complaining a whole thread about a liberal teacher conspiracy seems a bit ridiculous to me.
This thread is about weirdo's that do bad things to children, not about those scary left-wingers that want relations with those evil Cubans, or that are critical about your governments contacts with the biggest hard-drug supplier to your nations children, or that want to raise taxes (is not that you pay as much as we pay or something...).

I mean like I said, everybody has right to his own opinion, but painting Cuba as something terrible while at the same time 'defending' a group that abuses children in your own country (they are religious so it must be ok) seems very odd to me. Try to look at things from a broader perspective.

How about we focus on issues rather than you summarize my views as red neck?

I don't believe in the actions of FLDS, and I'm not defending them. I also don't believe that Texas is adequately concerned for the parents rights, and seems to also be treading on their religious freedom. I realize that you might not have an American perspective of freedom, and liberty. Millions of Americans have died for just that notion, that people should have the right to live free. So it is disturbing to me when our own government kicks down doors and drags off women and children to detention centers. I love liberty for everyone, even whackos, crack pots and nut jobs. If that makes me a red neck, then so be it.

My comment on our local legislature is a reflection on how one sided the politics are here, and that side has become aligned with what seems to be a European socialist ideology. Now, Columbia has its challenges what with FARC, and Aguilas Negras. It seems to me that Álvaro Uribe has taken a tough stand against both and is calling for the rule of law to prevail. It would not surprise me if we didn't have legislation soon asking to make Che Guevara's birthday, May 14th a State holiday. We've discussed before our different perceptions of Cuba, so I won't rehash that here. You and I see things differently. I don't believe in promoting communism, or socialism. And, I certainly don't think it has a role in my local politics in MINNESOTA. I don't believe in the government redistributing wealth, by seizing land, or income taxes. I believe in capitalism and democracy. If that makes me a red neck, well then so be it.

In summary then; I believe in a platform of rights, liberty, and freedom where people are given due process by their government. I believe that parents should be allowed(within our framework of justice) to raise their own children, and instill in them the values and customs of their heritage. I believe that through hard work, innovation, and some luck that a person should benefit from the fruits of their labors, rather than have that productivity siphoned off by bureaucrats to further entrench the unproductive. I believe that the teaching morality and discipline are the cornerstone's of a societies compassion. If this is what you call Conservatism, then so be it. I think of myself more of a libertarian.

So, I think your characterization of me not thinking broadly is off based. I am reflecting on how things are here locally, and discussing on how their experiences are different. Context is important to me. If teachers are teaching the benefits of socialism, and the evils of capitalism in Moscow schools, then it is contextually appropriate. Ideologically opposed to my views, but I would consider it appropriate. If American teachers are promoting socialism and communism, and teaching the evils of capitalism then it is contextually inappropriate. So what I see is not the unbiased teaching of the pros and cons of various government philosophies. I see the biased promotion of anti-Americanism in our public schools. I'm a bit tired of Europe(ans) looking down their nose at the bourgeoisie and barbarity of the new world. I express myself differently than Occhi, but you might want to think about getting off the high horse here.

Edit: The Bay Area Center for Voting Research - check out "The 25 most Liberal places in America" This is what I mean, even though Minneapolis ranks 23rd, its pretty loony toons liberal for my taste. Gris, and I might want to trade houses for some months to take a break from our respective government angsts.