Read this letter

[WRESTLINGFAN]

From The Journal News 4/3/03

Professor's remarks are a disgrace


I am a proud parent of a U.S. Marine. My son has been in the Middle East for the past three months. He is now in Iraq, fighting to end the reign of terror that has affected too many American lives.
I respect the rights of others to protest the war, but to read about Columbia University Professor Nicholas DeGenova and his views is a disgrace. He hopes for American defeat and victory for Iraqi people. Not one of the students cheering him could walk in my son's boots. When they are all on spring break lying on a beach, sipping a nice cool drink and staying in a nice resort, my son and others in the military will be lying in the sand, and sipping lukewarm water and sleeping in tents. These young men and women have more responsibility than most of these students will know in a lifetime. They are all heroes.

Mr. DeGenova should take his following to Iraq. Saddam's guards need more human shields. I will gladly pay for his one-way ticket. He is unfit to be called an American. Our troops are proud, dedicated and hard-working. Like Marines say, "Attitude reflects leadership." Mr. DeGenova can learn from them. Men and women have given their lives for our country, the land of the free and the brave. Love it or leave it. Mr. DeGenova should leave.


LYNDA GRAVANESE
West Harrison


Kinda makes you think when the #1 rapper is white and the #1 golfer is black

[HBox]

So, because she is the mother of a soldier, she is allowed to say whatever she wants, but a professor and college students are not?

[phixion]

and what about ppl in prison getting raped, and beaten, for stealing a goddamn car. what about those ppl? this woman only cares what this proffessor is saying cuz she has a son in the war.
well i have a brother in jail and that matters a shitload more to me than her son over in iraq..and yes i fukin mean that....but the difference ppl actually care about whats going on in iraq no one gives 2 shits about this prison system...

i understand what she is saying......but her son is willing to die to protect ppl's freedom's... and that includes freedom of speech..so y is her panties getting in a bunch when a proffesor chooses to execute his freedom?

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"smoking weed, smoking weed doing coke, drinking beers
drinking beers, beers, beersrolling fatties, smoking bluntswho smokes the blunts?we smoke the blunts." -Jay

[TheMojoPin]

Because it's one thing to speak your mind...as most of us to do here without resorting to insults...and another to just be a plain douchebag. He went BEYOND protesting the war and very vocally wished death on his fellow countrymen. Sure, he CAN say it, but come on, is he THAT retarded? A guy like that hiding behind "free speech" is as bad as an asshole happily acting like an asshole by claiming he's just sick of "acting PC"...

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2% << FREE YERDADDY! >> "You can tell some lies about the good times you've had/But I've kissed your mother twice and now I'm working on your dad..."

[phixion]

He went BEYOND protesting the war and very vocally wished death on his fellow countrymen


well im not gonna sit here and wish death on any american soldier i do however wish death on kobe bryant.....when he dies i will b a happy happy man...and kobe was born in the US...dirty friggin bastard

<IMG SRC="http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/philex/phixion.gif">
"smoking weed, smoking weed doing coke, drinking beers
drinking beers, beers, beersrolling fatties, smoking bluntswho smokes the blunts?we smoke the blunts." -Jay

[WRESTLINGFAN]

The mother of the Marine was expressing her first ammendment right. but people like DeGenova and a couple of people who replied do not want the rest of us to voice our opinions.

I was deployed to Somalia twice when I was a Marine and i am thankful every day to be an American. The problem with some Americans is they love to criticize this country but they would never live in a communist or 3rd world country because in those countries, you try to speak your opinion, you get a bullet through the forehead. Douchebags like DeGenova wouldnt last 5 minutes in Somalia. I have exercised my 1st ammendment right!!!!!


Kinda makes you think when the #1 rapper is white and the #1 golfer is black

[WRESTLINGFAN]

People in prison who steal carsand commit other crimes are a threat to society.

Kinda makes you think when the #1 rapper is white and the #1 golfer is black

[reeshy]

The rantings of this so-called educated individual do not compare to the worries of this poor Marine's mother. I don't really give a shit about this alleged intellectual's rights when there are young men and women in harm's way. I know it''s hackneyed by now but these soldiers and sailors are garuanteeing this idiot's right to say what he wants but feeling the way I do lately, he better not say it within my hearing. I'm getting a little sick and tired of people second guessing our country's decision to go to war-Guess what, people-we're already there and we have to see it to it's conclusion. Let's get behind our military and make sure that they accomplish their mission and them come home-thank you!

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[Se7en]

Can I ask a favor? Some of you, please pick your battles.

I mean, some of you are talking as if you're members of the ACLU.

You want to talk about someone having free speech rights to criticize, don't waste your argument defending the asshole who wished death on his fellow countryment.

And when I say, "wished death on his countrymen", I am speaking in the LITERAL sense.

Just pick your battles.

<img border="0" src="http://Se7enRFNet.homestead.com/files/se7en.jpg" width="300" height="100">

I'm not telling you anything that you don't already know.

"I was here before the oceans turned black with life, and when the deserts are white with death I will remain."
---Saint Iago

[Bama]

Just an FYI. The 1st amendment only applies to the government. The government can't do anything to prohibit your freedom of speech without a compelling government interest (i.e. no shouting fire in theatres).

Private individuals have no effect on your first amendment rights. They can do what they want to in order to stop you from talking.

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Thanks Bobimpact and CZM!
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[erole]

This letter, and the peoples opinions surrounding it causes all of these arguments on freedom of speech, and patriotism.
The real heart of the matter here, in my humble opinion, is national identity. America really doesn't have one. Sure you can argue freedom, but that's not an identity, that is an ideal. Getting right down to the point, no one is really free. You need rules, and you need government (with a heavy or a light hand) to keep the peace.
I'm talking identity which creates a national untity. The very make-up of our country is diversity. Diversity of religon, culture, races, and obviously opinions. There are some people that say our diversity makes us stronger. Some may say our very own diversity is our identity. If it is, if that is what it will be...then sit back and watch the arguments fly until kingdom come or the country collapses.
We've only been around for 200 some odd years. No king, no dictaor. A government by the people and for the people. This is a new thing, and a hard thing. Take a look at France, England, Germany, and even Switzerland. Think about those countries, and you will see a national identity. Take a look at their opinion polls from the people of those countries - Very united. Now look at ourselves, we are a mess.
So the truest argument here is our national identity. Our collective selves as a nation. It's hard for us to get along because of our diversity and freedom. Maybe someday down the road, people will give into national patriotism where we back our leader and know our national values and needs. Or, maybe down the road we will be just the same as now.
Until then, Nicholas DeGenova and Lynda Gravanese can and will speak their minds as they are allowed. Nick and Lynda will express how they feel and what they feel is right. You guys will do the same. And we will keep arguing and synthesizing what we hear. And our country will see more wars and atrocities. Slowly and surely, America will head in a direction where debate and demand will constantly push on either national unity or a new revolution.

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~he knows a little of everything
and a lot about nothin'

[reeshy]

They can do what they want to in order to stop you from talking.


Try it- I really mean it-TRY it!!!

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[HBox]

Why is this stupid letter posted? This letter has as many stupid generalizations as in the speech that professor gave. Who cares if she's a marine's parent? That makes her understandably and justifiably biased on this subject. And it doesn't make her any more or less of a retard. If this dumb letter was written by anyone else, no one would care. How many more tired and meaningless cliches could she have possibly jammed in at the end of the letter!?

[extracheese]

hbox..its clear your taking out some personal anger out here that cant possibly be related to this letter..all this woman is saying is that her son is fighting for YOU and all americans and this man in a position of power wishes him dead.
who on earth cannot sympathize with her??

HE has the "right" to express his feelings, he also has the right to get fired - immediatly.
thats america.

[phixion]

The problem with some Americans is they love to criticize this country


yes, we do. just like the patriots in 1776 criticized teh English government,...we are only trying to make it better, tru u and i may go about it in different ways, but criticism is there simply in hopes of improvement, cuz im sorry this isnt a perfect country and this isnt a perfect world...so whats wrong with trying to make it one?

People in prison who steal carsand commit other crimes are a threat to society.


yes they are im not saying they arent, im saying they dont need to raped in prison, they dont need to be beaten down by CO's for no friggin reason, there doesnt hafta b CO's thatll sell u drugs and give u time to kill a man if u pay him enuff, again im only criticizing in hopes of making it better..... im not saying prison should b the hilton, but it shouldnt b a death sentence, cuz for most inmates thats what it is..if u go to jail chances are your going to die in jail...even if the sentence is not death

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"smoking weed, smoking weed doing coke, drinking beers
drinking beers, beers, beersrolling fatties, smoking bluntswho smokes the blunts?we smoke the blunts." -Jay

[high fly]

The problem with some Americans is they love to criticize this country

While I agree with the sentiment-- that some people just bitch bitch bitch, keep in mind that a founding principle of this nation was to form a nation where such disagreements went on, and that the way to handle a bad or stupid idea is by putting forth a better one

" and they ask me why I drink"