From: JDG [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] At 11:06 PM 12/24/2004 -0800 Doug Pensinger wrote:
>>> This would be democracy at work, would it not? >> >>Is it democracy when some miniscule portion of the electorate wields >>disproportionate power? >What is miniscule? And what is disproportionate? I am sure that the >PFTC believes that they are representing the views of a majority of >Americans... and I don't know what exactly that have succeeded in >accomplishing with their "disproportionate power." To me, having >concerned people speak out is exactly what this country is all about. Concerned people speaking out is most certainly what I want from my democracy, loudly and clearly. Special interest groups, of whatever persuasion, self-organising to take advantage of what is intended as a way for concerned individuals to speak out is not. I object to the programmed response just as much, but accept that fire sometimes will be countered with fire. These citizen watchdogs are not meant for political purposes, but for individuals to voice their feelings. They should use some plagurism-detection software to collapse all the form e-mails down into one, and let people speak for themselves, as individuals, not as robots, be they left or right handed. >Apparently though, having leftist-liberals (i.e. the ACLU) speak out is a >good thing - having believe who believe that Jesus Christ is their Lord and >Savior is a bad thing. No, no one has said such a thing explicitly - but >that is the distinct impression that I am getting, based on the hysterical >language associated on this List with ever mention of Christians involving >themselves in politics. I can understand your feelings, but this is just individuals speaking out. At least each thought is considered, not scripted by some Central Scripting Agency. And I dont think you are giving due credit to why these things are said. As I see it, it has little to do with the Christian component, and a lot to do with the control aspect. If anyone here objects to you (or anyone) being a Christian, and objects to you speaking out loudly your views on matters that are of importance to you, I would be extremely surprised. What people object to is not having the same rights, to live as gays, muslims, atheists, zoroastrians, whatever, and excercise their rights to freedom of speech and thought and action. It is when specail interest groups begin to deny the rights of others, that I get upset. So yell all you like, but be aware that when you start to yell YOU CANT, rather than I DONT THINK YOU SHOULD, then people are going to object, just as you would, if you felt your rights were being suppressed. Anyone can change the channel on the TV, or turn it off if they so choose. If it never makes it onto the TV, then I dont get that choice, my rights are pre-emptively supressed. And thats not a Democracy, or a Republic. BTW, I await your response to Warren's very salient reply with interest. Happy Deitymas and peace and love to all. Andrew
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