“I[seldom]make the mistake of arguing with people for whose opinions I have no respect.”
Edward Gibbon

thanks to catboxer for these words:His( the pope) problem is he never studied anything except theology. So he's one of the world's greatest experts on the details of a world which doesn't exist, sort of like a zoologist who's an expert on unicorns

A continuing issue of BN, particularly on USN&P board is Racism.  Accusation of racism and denial of racism keep coming up.  Generally the charges are that conservatives are racist and liberals keep screaming racism when it is not present so it a diversionary tactic.

Racism is when someones racial, ethnic, cultural , or  national  origins or heritage is an accusation of scorn order used degradingly.   Racist attitudes are sometime latent caused by some incident sometime in the past.  The person may not be aware of the feelings and then when some situation arises  or something occurs the hurt from the past rises.

Remarks about national origin, ethnic makeup, speech pattern, behaviors  disguised as humor are often signs of latent racism.   Overt remarks are often denied as being racially motivated because of the social rejection of racism

Beliefnet Posters on USN&P board continuously use name calling, misinformation, twisted information and outright lies to defend their position and to negate the others.  It is not just one side, supposedly the right/left-Republican/Democrat, but both sides.  They take a misspoken word, uttered by a President, Former President, candidate etc., and pretend it is  a major policy error or lack of knowledge. The posters will do this while including a wrong key stroke or misspelling in their posts; that ranks their comment as hypocrisy. Some posters make thought out, well worded comments and use useful citations for reference.  Some of the most prolific posters use clichés, trite remarks and veiled vulgarities repeatedly.  The constant rankled drivel drives away persons who could post informative interesting post that would influence other and contribute to positive dialogue. As it is we must wade through pages of "rankled drivel " to find a post worth reading  and occasionally responding to.     

fodaoson
Farag Foda was noted for his critical articles and sharp satires about Islamic fundamentalism in Egypt. In many newspaper articles, he demonstrated weak points in Islamic ideology. He was shot to death in his office on 8 June 1992 by two Islamic fundamentalists "The killing of Farag Foda was in fact the implementation of the punishment against an apostate which the imam (the Islamic leader) has failed to implement (undertake)."
Dao: In Chinese philosophy, a fundamental concept signifying the correct or divine way. In Confucianism, dao signifies a morally correct path of behaviour. In Daoism the concept is more encompassing and includes the visible process of nature, by which all things change, as well as the principle underlying this process. This principle, known as Absolute Dao, can be only imperfectly understood by the practitioner but is the guiding principle in life. Daoists view life and death as stages of Absolute Dao and advocate a way of life that brings one closer to conformity with essential nature .  A son is the male offspring  humans an other animals 

This wassupposed to be  post but it was too revealing for discussion

Here is what really bother me personally about war" It is well that war is so terrible - otherwise we would grow too fond of it.  Robert E. Lee, Statement at the Battle of Fredericksburg (13th December 1862)
US-Confederate general (1807 - 1870)

I saw the results of B-52 raid on villages and  Jungle.  I smelled napalm, I saw bodies of GIs being loaded on Airplanes to be shipped home.  I have seen the graves  and headstones of soldiers.

 I remember the fear created by mortar rounds hitting nearby, of tracers just above me and hitting nearby.  But what really bothers me was the adrenaline  high  it created,  and by the third or fourth  occurrence was almost an addiction.   It was those experiences in which I learned the meaning of  Lees observation.

In Desert Storm, I did not see any combat, but was on the receiving end of some scud activity  and walked through the aftermath of combat.  The approach scuds revived the feelings of fear and excitement.     The problem is that in my mind I have not reconciled the two feelings/experiences     

If by a "Liberal" they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people - their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties - someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a "Liberal," then I'm proud to say I'm a "Liberal."   

In one of my saner moments I have decided to quit using "names " or dissing other posters.  I will refer to other posters as poster, public figures by given proper names or title  and will attempto not use derogaoltory or demeaning epitaths. Not only to avoid disciplinary action by BN but also because it is not ethical or in good taste.