Visualize Whirled Peas

[Trailscout]

I am responding to some of RT and Rik's comments in the Young Naturists section, that should probably be continued here.

Before I launch into anything else, let me express my concern for the well-being of RT's friends and deplore the bloodshed that has occurred.

I do not think that ignoring Saddam Hussein will bring world peace any more than bombing Iraq will. But the phrase "bombing Iraq" seems to imply indisrimininate revengeful destruction. I think there are very few who support such a position. In debating, that is called setting up a "straw man", when one restates the views of one's opponents in terms that even your opponent would not agree to.

However, if you ask for a show of hands on who would like to see Hussein and his entourage deposed and replaced with a peaceful regime, most people, even in Iraq itself would probably say that is a worthy goal. I would say that nearly as many people agree that the world would be emperiled if that regime remained in power. If the Baath party in Iraq falls, are they to be replaced by an Iraqi version of the Taliban? Would Iran promptly invade a weakened Iraq after the West leaves the area? The road to heaven is one, but there are many paths to hell.

Rik is correct that many nations have gone to war to ensure a dependable flow of oil. For a lot of reasons I think that Europe, America, indeed the whole world should cease to use all fossil fuels. I don't want to get into a discussion on how to do so or on what timetable to do so.

I do believe that Western conflict with radical Islam is fueled (pardon the pun) by the struggle for oil. That does not absolve radical Islam from culpability for intolerance and murder. It seems that early in life, they are taught a world view that rejects the peaceful solution of problems, rejects the concept of government by representative government, and the consequent tolerance for diversity of opinion that such a culture engenders. If someone disagrees with you, you kill him. If you die in the process, you are assured a place in Paradise. What a monstrous evil world view! How will we ever make such people receptive to another way to live?

America society is much more tolerant than say Saudi Arabia, but comparing ourselves to a repressive culture and nation is nothing to boast about. We have a lot of room for improvement.

Instead it should motivate us to work to change restrictive laws and work to change attitudes about nudity in our own society.

[Trailscout]

I am responding to some of RT and Rik's comments in the Young Naturists section, that should probably be continued here.

Before I launch into anything else, let me express my concern for the well-being of RT's friends and deplore the bloodshed that has occurred.

I do not think that ignoring Saddam Hussein will bring world peace any more than bombing Iraq will. But the phrase "bombing Iraq" seems to imply indisrimininate revengeful destruction. I think there are very few who support such a position. In debating, that is called setting up a "straw man", when one restates the views of one's opponents in terms that even your opponent would not agree to.

However, if you ask for a show of hands on who would like to see Hussein and his entourage deposed and replaced with a peaceful regime, most people, even in Iraq itself would probably say that is a worthy goal. I would say that nearly as many people agree that the world would be emperiled if that regime remained in power. If the Baath party in Iraq falls, are they to be replaced by an Iraqi version of the Taliban? Would Iran promptly invade a weakened Iraq after the West leaves the area? The road to heaven is one, but there are many paths to hell.

Rik is correct that many nations have gone to war to ensure a dependable flow of oil. For a lot of reasons I think that Europe, America, indeed the whole world should cease to use all fossil fuels. I don't want to get into a discussion on how to do so or on what timetable to do so.

I do believe that Western conflict with radical Islam is fueled (pardon the pun) by the struggle for oil. That does not absolve radical Islam from culpability for intolerance and murder. It seems that early in life, they are taught a world view that rejects the peaceful solution of problems, rejects the concept of government by representative government, and the consequent tolerance for diversity of opinion that such a culture engenders. If someone disagrees with you, you kill him. If you die in the process, you are assured a place in Paradise. What a monstrous evil world view! How will we ever make such people receptive to another way to live?

America society is much more tolerant than say Saudi Arabia, but comparing ourselves to a repressive culture and nation is nothing to boast about. We have a lot of room for improvement.

Instead it should motivate us to work to change restrictive laws and work to change attitudes about nudity in our own society.