@Bean: I think your thread had some great posts...numbers 6, 16, and 24 in particular. But I get really uncomfortable with the idea that we are more free here than anywhere else. I lived for a time in a State where putting a couple chips of dry ice in a 2-liter plastic soda bottle was a felony. Some freedom, that. We also have more people incarcerated, per capita, than anywhere else in the world. It's not even close.
OTOH, like has been pointed out, we've been blessed with lots of space, great scenery, great variety, good weather, lots of opportunity, and an endless supply of 'stuff''.
Maybe I misunderstood this but are you saying that beliefs in myth and superstition constitute greatness?
No that's NOT what I'm saying!
Freedom to express any kind of faith is what I'm talking about. On the surface (and law) Sweden has got freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of thought... etc etc... In reality we, the people, are VERY judgmental and do not accept any kind of world view that isn't part of the world view that we have been "indoctrinated" with since childhood. There's a lot of "unwritten laws" in this country. As long as you are part of this world view, Sweden may be a great country to live in. Most Swedes are "cast in the same mould" and people from other countries finds us extremely reserved.
(Still, I love this country)
The great thing about America is the deversity and acceptance. Even though there has been a big change since 9/11!
On the surface (and law) Sweden has got freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of thought... etc etc... In reality we, the people, are VERY judgmental and do not accept any kind of world view that isn't part of the world view that we have been "indoctrinated" with since childhood. There's a lot of "unwritten laws" in this country.
IMHO, intolerance is a universal truth. Someone always finds a reason to chip away at laws of tolerance or suppress emergence of them.
The key is to live where the variation of intolerance is tolerable. Select parts of the USA are tolerable.
Freedom to express any kind of faith is what I'm talking about.
The great thing about America is the deversity and acceptance. Even though there has been a big change since 9/11!
Well I won't pose any more questions because it's clear that so many here become irritated if one doesn't "toe the party line" as it were.
Personally, I equate "faith" with indoctrination.
And since you mentioned 9/11....If the United States had referendums (OK, I know Sweden has only had a few), certain individuals would be called to task to explain such things as how a jet airliner can hit the Pentagon and leave only a 16' diameter hole and no signs of any wings, engines, etc. But hey, that ain't going to happen because enough sheople have been indoctrinated with the "official account".
Engine is running hot. It smashes into a concrete building, the fuel restriction is now out of the way, and it is engulfed in enough fuel to obliterate the rest of the engine (actually pretty lightweight steel) while leaving only scorch marks on the outside of the heavy concrete building. Similarly, the wings are also (relatively) thin lightweight steel.
As for the 16' hole, that's bigger than the airplane fuselage is.
Comments
OTOH, like has been pointed out, we've been blessed with lots of space, great scenery, great variety, good weather, lots of opportunity, and an endless supply of 'stuff''.
Freedom to express any kind of faith is what I'm talking about. On the surface (and law) Sweden has got freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of thought... etc etc... In reality we, the people, are VERY judgmental and do not accept any kind of world view that isn't part of the world view that we have been "indoctrinated" with since childhood. There's a lot of "unwritten laws" in this country. As long as you are part of this world view, Sweden may be a great country to live in. Most Swedes are "cast in the same mould" and people from other countries finds us extremely reserved.
(Still, I love this country)
The great thing about America is the deversity and acceptance. Even though there has been a big change since 9/11!
My favorite thing about Sweden is our airshows:
IMHO, intolerance is a universal truth. Someone always finds a reason to chip away at laws of tolerance or suppress emergence of them.
The key is to live where the variation of intolerance is tolerable. Select parts of the USA are tolerable.
Well I won't pose any more questions because it's clear that so many here become irritated if one doesn't "toe the party line" as it were.
Personally, I equate "faith" with indoctrination.
And since you mentioned 9/11....If the United States had referendums (OK, I know Sweden has only had a few), certain individuals would be called to task to explain such things as how a jet airliner can hit the Pentagon and leave only a 16' diameter hole and no signs of any wings, engines, etc. But hey, that ain't going to happen because enough sheople have been indoctrinated with the "official account".
Mickster
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flight_77_wreckage_at_Pentagon.jpg
Engine is running hot. It smashes into a concrete building, the fuel restriction is now out of the way, and it is engulfed in enough fuel to obliterate the rest of the engine (actually pretty lightweight steel) while leaving only scorch marks on the outside of the heavy concrete building. Similarly, the wings are also (relatively) thin lightweight steel.
As for the 16' hole, that's bigger than the airplane fuselage is.
+1 Jazzed -Agreed.
Make it stop,,, MAKEIT STOP!!!!!!!!!!