Avatars

[Bill Brown]

Avatars here are a nice way for people to personalize their posts. I accept that we all have different ways to display our appreciation of VXes. However, I totally miss the connection between Heraclid's avatar and VXes. I do not suggest anyone's avatar be censored. However, I do find Heraclid's avatar to be offensive on multiple levels.
1. Though intended to be humorous, Heraclids avatar depicts an extremely vicious act of violence.
2. The avatar suggests Bush had just cause to invade and occupy Iraq.
3. The avatar suggests it is okay for the U.S. to brutalize the people of Iraq.
4. To an outsider, the avatar could imply all VX owners are thug worshipping loonies.
5. The avatar suggests Bush is a mindless brutal sadistic monster (no argument from me on that perception, though I find it offensive).
Heraclid's avatar gave me yet another reason to post my apologies to the world at http://www.sorryeverybody.com/gallery/495/
:nor:

[SPAZZ]

it is his Avatar and if he wants it, let him have it. It is not offensive. I liked the Avatar and Bush is a mindless monster. Hoorah...



Semper Fi...oh I'm sorry todays Corps is Semper I;Dp;

[kpaske]

I am not a huge fan of President Bush, and I won't deny that he's done a number of things that I question. I do on the other hand support my president and refuse to offer apologies to the world on his behalf. But before we change this thread into another 30 page political discussion, I'll make my point.

One of the greatest rights we've been granted as Americans is the freedom of speech. If you're offended by what someone says (or an image they post), you've got the right to respond and express your opinion. But why do you feel the need to apologize for what someone else says or does?

[Bill Brown]

Originally posted by kpaske
If you're offended by what someone says (or an image they post), you've got the right to respond and express your opinion. But why do you feel the need to apologize for what someone else says or does?

The very reason for the Sorry Everybody website is to let the world know very near half the U.S. did not support election of a president so despised throughout the world. Heraclid's avatar promotes the image of the ugly American. Apologies to the world serve to show many of us are humble, caring and respectful, countering the image of the ugly American promoted by such displays as Heraclid's avatar. Note that I said I did not want anyone's avatar to be censored. I shared my thoughts here regarding display of an avatar I find offensive and inappropriate for this forum.

[coachreed]

OK, so you've expressed your opinion and so have a couple others... I am just curious because I don't watch TV and rarely listen to the radio... have we received any/many apologies from people for flying jetliners into the Trade Towers or decapitating US Citizens? I'll quit now before I say something that might mark me as a war-mongering thug! Now we should move on... thanks for your input... have a wonderful day!

Coach... I mean Randy (I often forget who I really am)

Undergoing LS1 Conversion as we speak!
Click Image to Visit My Website!
My Webshots Gallery...

[Bill Brown]

Originally posted by coachreed
I am just curious because I don't watch TV and rarely listen to the radio... have we received any/many apologies from people for flying jetliners into the Trade Towers or decapitating US Citizens?

Yes. There was a public outpouring of condolences from most countries around the globe following the attacks of 9/11/2001. There was understanding when the U.S. invaded Afghanistan seeking Osama bin Laden. However, there was and continues to be justified outrage over the U.S. invasion and brutal occupation of Iraq. Iraq had nothing to do with the 9/11/2001 attacks and Iraq did not pose a threat to the U.S.

[StormTROOPER]

It reminds me of the carnival game of "hit the gopher" But I would suggest he change Saddam to Osama since Saddam is HISTORY. (along with his buddy Arafat)

[Bill Brown]

Originally posted by StormTROOPER
It reminds me of the carnival game of "hit the gopher" But I would suggest he change Saddam to Osama since Saddam is HISTORY. (along with his buddy Arafat)

Unfortunately, Osama was looking pretty fit and in good spirits in his pre-U.S. election video address. Instead of diverting resources towards invading and occupying Iraq, we should have been serious about getting Osama.

[Jonnie]

Yeah, poor Saddam.

The US is a horrible bully that should be bombed and irradicated by terrorists. It needs to go!!

Yeah, right, go get a life....

Jon

[Bill Brown]

Originally posted by Jonnie


Yeah, poor Saddam.

The US is a horrible bully that should be bombed and irradicated by terrorists. It needs to go!!

Yeah, right, go get a life....

Jon

Saddam is living quite comfortably as compared to most people in Iraq, that's including both the occupied and the occupiers. You, I and the rest of U.S. taxpayers funded the slaughter of some 14,000 to 100,000 non-combatants in Iraq, part of why we need to at least apologize.

[Joe_Black]

At least now I know where many anti-U.S. supporters get their fuel from. We may not have a consensus of approval for our current administration, but our President is still the Commander-in-Chief. If this kind of rampant hippy crystal-gripping mindset had permeated the United States to this level in the 1940's most of Europe would firmly be spreading Nazi doctrine and we'd be cheap labor for Imperial Japan.

If you've got to apologize to the world for being an American it's time to pack your things, renounce your citizenship and move somewhere where reality can get a firm grip on your life.

[Rooster]

Seriously Bill, where did you find all this liberal mindwashing propaganda? I for one, as a 18 year vet do not "feel" sorry for un assing Saddam. We have done numorous good things in the country of Iraq. But, alas the biased liberal media wont tell you about those. They're too wrapped up in getting the juicey stories like Marines dying from an IED or civilians being beheaded. What about the schools we helped to reopen? What about the effort to get water to all villages? What, you dont know of these things? This is just a few things that are done daily to help the citizens of Iraq.

I for one think your rhetoric is appalling and against what we stand for. I fully support your right to free speach, as I have served in combat to protect your right, I do see a trend of people like you as being borderline treasonist. Lets put it this way, your fueling the extremist's cause with your "I'm Sorry". Did Saddam apologize for the 100,000's of innocent and unarmed Kurds he killed? BTW, he's comfortable right now, because we all know he's a dead man at the end of his warcrimes trial.

Don't get me wrong, I don't know you, but I know your type. If you feel the need to be among your type, please feel free to move to france.

The only thing I'm sorry about is this rant. BTW, the avatar is fine.

[Jonnie]

Rooster, thanks, well put. People (I was going to use another word) like this make me see white.

Jon

[Capri]

Though the avatar is a bit of a stretch to complain about, I do LOVE the 'sorryeverybody' site. My support for that only goes as far as Bush getting re-elected, because what the US does has a direct impact on the rest of the world.

If the US does not intervene or act as a world superpower, I could careless about what other country thinks. France and Germany can whine all they want.

But that's not the case, and any of the criticisms about the Bush administration and the Iraq war is somehow painted as "treason-like" and "get out of the country if you don't like it" - what a childish thing to say. Criticisms are what make a country free, able to say what you don't like about the government. In China and other countries, no one dares to say anything bad about the law or the government.

We have lobbyists, petitions, we are encouraged to call and write to our senators to make a difference. All of the sudden, people who criticize Bush are libel hippies, anti-Americans and traitors. The underlying reason behind criticisms is that we care, we want what we believe is the best scenario.

Ever since I spoke about Bush and criticized some of the policies in the past 4 years on my private web space away from community message boards, I've been labeled anything from "don't support our troops" to a "traitor." Even when I talk about sorryeverybody site, a few dozen decides I'm better off to Europe.

Sometimes I wonder if those people who label me and put me as a "type", a discrimination on my individuality realize that I think the same back. Whining is a different story, but criticisms and coming up with a plan for improving how things are is one of the essential traits of being an American.

[Bill Brown]

For whatever its worth, I believed the U.S. propaganda of the day and enlisted in the USMC during Vietnam. I advanced to become a Mustang officer (prior enlisted to commissioned officer). I am not proud of having fell for the con and to have played an active role in U.S. crimes of aggression of that era. I've lived in various countries in Europe, Africa, Asia and S. America. Prior to the election I thought if this country sinks any lower it might be time to emigrate. My friends abroad extended open arms should I make that decision. However, we agreed the best way to right the wrongs of the U.S.A. is to remain and do what is right. I can't say something to a right-winger like if you don't like my view go to some other nation, because I would not curse any people inside or outside my country with blind gullible rabid right-wingers. U.S. mainstream media is owned and controlled by right-wingers. Fortunately, the rest of the world gets to see what is actually happening, hence most of the world views the Bush regime for the danger it poses to us all. As for that lame lie about Iraqi schools opening, all we did was slap on paint to cover Saddam's slogans.