ELENATION

No, no....it definitely doesn't make it ok, I don't think that... but like you said, this is such a complex issue...you are right.

I don't believe the following is happening... " My own definition of 'freedom fighter' would NOT include those who seek to impose their own oppressive fundamentalist world views on other in place of those they seek to defeat. " But please know that I do respect your opinion.

Well, I strongly believe that the US is not oppressing their people...

Nina, this should be a peaceful debate, at least it is from my part, no need for a sarcastic tone... really...at least that's what I get from the way you respond.... forgive me if I'm wrong... My family and I personaly know several men that were and some still are in Iraq and they have told us that their impression from the majority in Iraq is that they appreciate what America has done to tried to help them.. this I have been told by soldiers that have been serving there, so I tend to believe it... ALso, taking Sadam out alone is a victory, I know the price is high, of course, but It is also wonderful to hear the positive attitudes of the Iraqis who are interviewed. The media seem so fixated on reporting the negative and rarely anything positive but I hope the new government in Iraq will make every effort maintain the peace in their country and my sincere best wishes to the Iraq people on their journey to peace. It will take time, sacrifice and patience, but I think it will happen...

ok... "Freedom fighter is a relativistic term for those engaged in rebellion against an established Government or Regime that they consider to be oppressive."

I totally agree that being nice is easier and feels great!

I could be wrong, but I think that Derrick meant "respect people more" and he mentioned the word black people because we happened to be talking about black people, but what I can understand from what he said is that he respects people that talk respectfully more than anybody that may talk using vulgar language or cursing, which could come from a black or a white or hispanic person... I'm not sure if I'm explaining myself right... but I just don't think he meant it in the wrong way and by my previous post on this subject you all know how I feel about derrogatory racists words, I absolutely hate those.. In my personal experience, I've heard hispanics, black people, white people talking very careless, using vulgar words and I personaly don't find it appealing... it's not that I don't respect them, but it could be a turn off... and I'm including anybody from any race, I'm cuban and I've heard some cubans talking using some very pretty vulgar words and slangs and I really wish they didn't... I would give more attention to them if they could speak clearer, I'm not talking Shakespeare here, but at least clearer, I still respect all as human beings, I would never disrespect them just because the way they talk, but I can't help but think why can't people talk somewhat properly... and education maybe a factor, but at the same time, I've met people that barely have a high school diploma and some that didn't even graduate and they talk more properly... Am I making any sense here? I'm sorry, I feel like I'm rambling on...

Agreed....no we CAN'T ignore it... it's simply irresponsible for our country to ignore it..

With all due respect, I think there is a HUGE difference between guns fired by terrorists that are ultimately doing it with no valid reasons behind it , well, maybe I should say that their reasoning is evil...and the guns fired by the americans or british who went there for a reason to accomplish a mission...is it great for the people that have been killed or their families?, of course not, we all know they will suffer regardless, but there is a big difference though... the guns fired by the terrorists are what caused the Americans and our allies to fire ours in the first place... the result maybe similar as far as the losses, but the intentions are totally different and I know people in Iraq appreciate that.. For example, I'm Cuban, grew up there for 14 years, I saw members of my family, friends being killed by Castro, just because they didn't agree with him, they would take them in the middle of the night and next morning they would execute them, no trial, couldn't even say goodbye to their families..... pretty much Castro viciously murdered them... however, cubans would have given ANYTHING for an American invasion...yes I assure you that! and of course lives would've been lost, but we were prepared to live with that, just for the sake of taking Castro out...many, MANY cubans were willing to risk their lives, homes, anything to take Castro out... and they could see the difference between lives lost because Castro was just a monster killer who had complete disregard for any life, and lives that may have been lost for a just cause...for valid reasons..looking for freedom...

I agree on giving to charities....100% THen buy a house at the beach A nice SUV....I like the Mini-Hummers... Lots of clothes and shoes and bags for the entire family.... and last but not least...TRAVEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you, very well said..

Aaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwww, this is too cute!!!! I have a big fat furry cat! I love dogs too, I love animals, but cats are just my weak spot... Thanks!

Jodie, I know this is not my business and I REALLY mean this in a good way, more as a motherly advise... I may be wrong....but it seems to me that you have been treated cold and in a heartless way and that is why you feel that way now...am I right? which if that's the case, I can understand where you are coming from.... BUt really, we should care about not hurting other people's feelings... and I don't mean in a debate, but just not caring at all about hurting someone ever...that sounds cruel.... obviously you don't see it that way, but it really does sound cruel, believe it or not, I've had strangers care for me before and more than once and one day it may happen to you too.... I think it's moraly and socialy responsible to care about people even when we don't know them.... for example, many care for the people in Darfur... me included, and this is just an example only, there are many people and causes that we care for, even if we haven't been in their shoes...I would absolutely LOVE to be able to help those.... and just because I feel that way doesn't mean you have to feel the same way, but a little compassion and care goes a long way... it actually softens your heart... and it gives you a nice good feeling... Bettering yourself and caring about yourself is very good, but caring for yourself ONLY, is also selfish... so why not trying to balance it all out....? Again, please take this as an advise with the best intentions... Elena

ABSOLUTELY , PERFECTLY SAID!

Sorry, having a slow day here... did you mean that we could say "learn true Christianity"? and live by example? Well, we ALL should.... from any religion and if you are an athiest as well... at least the "live by example".... in this particular case I was referring to Islam because that's what we were talking about.... but you certainly have the right to tell Christians or anyone you want the same thing for that matter...I'm sorry that you were chastised for it....

Educate ourselves? Learn true Islam? for those who may not know the "true islam" maybe it could be learned right after many muslims themselves learn "true islam" .... oh, and also live by example and not "by the book"

No, I don't use that word, or the "F" word, you know, Isiah Washington's word.... I don't use "retard" or "fat" any word that I think it could be offensive or derrogatory, I think it's wrong.... I'm cuban and I've been called "rafter" even though I arrived here in a darn air plane... I've been called "fat", I could pass for a white person, so I've been called white trash by a black person.. I mean, those are all derrogatory words in my opinion and if I don't like to be called certain way, I won't do it to anybody else... and my kids would never, EVER dream of using those words... it's not even an issue in our home, it just doesn't happen... This is interesting... the other day I read that Sarah Jessica Parker was named the most "unsexy" woman alive by some magazine.... which I couldn't care less... but what caught my attention was her reaction... she was interviewed by the London Mirror and they asked her how she felt about it and she said that she didn't care to be called unsexy, that that everybody should watch out because one of these days she was going to wake up "fat" and she she still was going to be happy, she repeated it twice.... well, I think that was uncalled for, why is she and I know many out there assume that because someone is overweight, they are unsexy or unhappy? I think that was prejudice and a derrogatory comment towards overweight people... but did anybody say anything about it? NO.... Actually I think that they should call everyone that uses any derrogatory word towards a group of people... Mel Gibson insulted the jews, then Richards the black people, Isiah the gay people, it's all wrong, they should all be repremended, and I just don't agree that others get away with insulting people by calling them fat and nothing is done about it, well, many overweight people have struggled their entire lives with obesity, generations of families, some people can't help it, some have medical reasons for being obese, it's hurtful when we are called "fat" it's derrogatory... why is that not a big deal though..? ugh!

Just when I thought I've heard it all..... I think not even psychiatric help would do in this case....ugh! simply disgusting...

HECK NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you got there with your effort, now flaunt it and enjoy it! whoever doesn't like it doesn't have to look at it! gee...

Well, you did excellent defending your point..I think you did much better than me! you have no idea how ackward I think my writing is... debating is a new thing for me too, and I think I do poorly...LOL! sorry about that and thank you for trying to understand me too.. and please know that I DO understand your point, I really do. Elena

Aaaaawwww, you know, all that spunk that you saw in me while we were debating was about that topic because it is so connected with my childhood and sufferings....but deep inside I'm really not that strong, actually I'm a softy.... and I cry easily...lol! and your words now are touching and are making me tear up a little... I'm honored! BJean... I really am.. I agree that we have more in common than the things we don't...most definitely! and I would love to meet you too one day, who knows, maybe we will meet! Thank you so much. Elena

Thank you JBean... you are right, if he would've passed in the battlefront, I wouldn't be here..... but I still don't feel so lucky though.....LOL!

BJean, I sincerely thank you very much too. It was a good debate.... but I felt that by keeping the debate going, it would get too complicated...and you are right, listing those reasons would've definitely gotten very lengthy .....and from my side too....lol! All your posts sounded very honest, and specially your last post to me... those words came across very, very sincere and I do appreciate that very much. I'm also happy to have voiced my opinion and my intention was also to respect yours, I think that it's just pretty normal that we all get very passionate about what we believe... ultimately I know that we both have the best intentions in our hearts and that's what counts. Thank you again and you also have a nice weekend. Elena

BTW, before I decided to stop debating this subject with you I forgot to ask, were you being sarcastic when you said I was one of the lucky ones because I didn't lose my father in WWII? I sincerely hope not.... I wasn't so lucky....right after I arrived to the US when I was 14, my father died suddenly, within a couple of months... so I do know what it is to live almost your whole life without a parent... and part of that time while I was still a child..I do know the pain, I wasn't so lucky... One thing I know is that my father would've rathered die serving this country instead... he would've proudly... and if I could've picked, I would've also preferred it that way....