American Animosity

Gary, my uncle-in-law, forwarded this message to me, and the rest of the family today:

Subject: IRVAJ English - From: "Pete Johnson Jr." <pjohnson@acp4tile.com> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2004 10:14:37 -0500 To: [ private ] We now know who wants Kerry elected--The socialists of Europe--Iran and the terrorists despots of the middle east--Al Queda--the United Nations gang--the American media--the American university elites and a whole bunch of assholes living all amongst us--Pete

Attached was the body of this article. I replied to all with the following:

Iraq On The Record: http://www.house.gov/reform/min/features/iraq_on_the_record/

In Their Own Words: Iraq’s ‘Imminent’ Threat:
http://www.americanprogress.org/site/pp.asp?c=biJRJ8OVF&b=24970

But the above links are just my liberal bleeding heart support of
terrorism, obviously.
“We now know who wants Kerry elected–The socialists of Europe–Iran and
the terrorists despots of the middle east–Al Queda–the United Nations
gang–the American media–the American university elites and a whole
bunch of assholes living all amongst us–Pete”

Socialists in Europe generally enjoy a much better standard of living than
we hard-working freedom lovers in the U.S.

The U.N. gang? Puh-leeze!

I particularly enjoy having messages forwarded to me that call me an
asshole. Very nice. Thanks, Gary.

I absolutely love ad hominem attacks. Call me names because you don’t
agree with me. That’s simple gradeschool bullying, not advanced
citizenship as is required of adults in these challenging times.

The forwarded message includes quotes from Heritage Foundation employees.
Here’s the Heritage Foundation’s description of themselves:
“Founded in 1973, The Heritage Foundation is a research and educational
institute - a think tank - whose mission is to formulate and promote
conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise,
limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a
strong national defense.”

Hardly a non-partisan, unbiased organization. Their critiques of
Democratic candidates is nothing more than the political polemics and
invective they complain about. You’re going to have to cite a more
balanced source if you want me to listen to your point of view –
especially after having been called an asshole!

I wish more conservatives would stand behind this conservative credo:
http://mousemusings.com/weblogs/2004_03_01_archives.html#107814986053311642

I like Bush’s comments on the vote in Iran:
“I am very disappointed in the recently disputed parliamentary
elections in Iran,” President Bush said. “The disqualification of some
2,400 candidates by the unelected Guardian Council deprived many
Iranians of the opportunity to freely choose their representatives.”

Excuse me, Mr. Pot? There’s a Mr. Kettle on line one.
http://www.bushflash.com/gta.html
http://www.gregpalast.com/detail.cfm?artid=122&row=1

Jeff Butler, who wasn’t even in my list of recipients, replied with the following:

You want more balanced info? Why not resort to the truth instead of the lies that you obviously buy?

I haven’t met a liberal yet that admits that they are far left. I am a
Christian and a Conservative. I admit it and am proud of it. I guess libs
are ashamed to admit that they are far left because then most Americans will
tune them out. Instead libs concoct lies and hide their real message.

Kerry can’t come out and say what he really thinks because it will prove for
once and all that he is one of the most liberal candidates for President
since McGovern.

I replied thus:

Hi jbutler452. I don't know who you are by your email address, so allow me to introduce myself.

My name is Scott. I’m a 29 year old step-father to twin daughters. I
grew up in a middle-class Catholic family. My parents have been married
for 35 years. I’ve worked in countries throughout Europe, as well as Hong
Kong. I’ve also visited Russia and Peru. I like to think that I am a
world citizen, and that the welfare of the world as a whole is more
important than the welfare of the nation that I was born in (as I had no
choice in where I was born).

I try to avoid broad labels like “liberal” and “conseravtive” on the
whole, because I think the world is a complicated place. Sometimes a
liberal policy is appropriate, and sometimes a conservative policy is
appropriate. Sometimes each can be effective at the same time, with
different outcomes. I try to look ahead, and consider the long-term
ramifications of things.

I don’t hide the fact that I support and promote liberal social issues.
I’m passionately interested in the welfare, safety, and dignity of my
fellow citizens. I’m interested in promoting education, and social
awareness. I donate money to my local museum and art houses because I
think the expansion and preservation of world culture – whether I
personally agree with all of it or not – is important. I donate to soup
kitchens, homeless shelters, and the Red Cross. Human beings are more
important than any ideology.

I don’t buy into the historical concept of “The American Dream” that
equates success with wealth. As such, most “conservative” fiscal policy
strikes me as selfish and short-sighted. I don’t mind paying taxes
because I recognize that it’s the price for the benefits I receive from
the government. I don’t mind helping others monetarily, because I hope
that they would be willing to help me if the situation was reversed.

I didn’t support the invasion of Iraq, and I’m opposed to the current
occupation; but I’m intelligent enough to know that a total withdrawl now
will be as devastating to the country as our initial aggression was. I
don’t approve of the use of violence to solve problems, and I take great
pains to educate my children how to resolve their problems without
violence.

It’s a complicated world. I acknowledge that I don’t have the answers. I
only have opinions.

I’m not ashamed to admit my liberal leanings. But they’re just that -
my leanings. My leanings do not infringe your right to make and hold
your own opinions. I’m not opposed to learning new things, and changing
my mind. Benjamin Franklin has some good thoughts on the matter:
http://douglassarchives.org/fran_a86.htm
… for, having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being
obliged, by better information or fuller consideration, to change opinions
even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be
otherwise. It is therefore that, the older I grow, the more apt I am to
doubt my own judgment of others. Most men, indeed, as well as most sects
in religion, think themselves in possession of all truth, and that
wherever others differ from them, it is so far error.

I’m not interested in getting into a political debate with you,
jbutler452. Your aggressive response suggests to me that your mind is
made up, and that you’re not interested in hearing other points of view.
I’ll respect that right of yours if you extend to me the same courtesy.

Cheers,
Scott

Pete Johnson, author of the original message, replied with this:

Scott--You should not take it so personal that you are that liberal and misinformed--I also have been around the world many times and have lived in Spain and Italy and have seen China up front as well as every other country in Asia and I can tell you at 29 years of age you don't love America --how you can think that these people live better in Europe with their lack of freedom and socialist policies and taxes is a real eye opener to your deep seeded anti-Americanism----you have a globalist world view that is a threat to my freedom--If you want to see where all the mass graves of history are look no farther that all the socialist and communist countries that you seem to think people live better than here in America--Of course you don't think we should be in Iraq--because Bush is a Republican--If we bomb aspirin factories or cities in Bosnia under the liar Clinton then that is Ok--The problem with you libs are you think you are more socially conscious--soup kitchens-social outreach etc.--Don't worry--you are still young and na