Yes, we can.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Alex

"Yes, I meant what I said. When people suffer economic hardship and a curtailment of opportunities over a long period of time they look to build up their self esteem in other ways and these ways can be harmful to community and national cohesion. In poor inner cities you may develop a gang culture, which is in many ways just a particularly violent and narrowly cast form of xenophobia. In rural areas it isn't nearly so violent but they too begin to look for ways to redefine themselves in a search for something to stand for.

If this is what he meant and should have said, then you are saying it would be acceptable to equate religion and gun ownership with the gang culture in terms of being "harmful to community and national cohesion"? That would be even more stupid to say, I believe. Then he wouldn't just be calling religion and gun ownership a crutch, he'd be calling them bad. He may very well think that, but the vast majority of Americans don't.

[Strangler Lewis]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

If this is what he meant and should have said, then you are saying it would be acceptable to equate religion and gun ownership with the gang culture in terms of being "harmful to community and national cohesion"? That would be even more stupid to say, I believe. Then he wouldn't just be calling religion and gun ownership a crutch, he'd be calling them bad. He may very well think that, but the vast majority of Americans don't.

Just because something can be defended as a cherished constitutional freedom does not mean it can't be culturally damaging and debasing. In the free speech context, we have pornography. Freedom of religion and the right to bear arms certainly have their porn, too. While we would not prosecute it, we are right to be critical of it.

And what Obama said is straight Bowling for Columbine.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

And what Obama said is straight Bowling for Columbine.

Or Thomas Frank.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

And what Obama said is straight Bowling for Columbine.

I'm sure he'll enjoy the linkages to Michael Moore on the campaign trail.