Rants

That post was nothing but a big joke. Franson, you need to learn to calm down. Or is humor not allowed on the a-times?

In this world derranged political ideology we some how wind up in Hopkins. Instead of taking pride in our school district's academics we should immediately turn our attention to the shear number of rebels without a cause. Free Speech is all great and wonderful, but that doesnt mean we should just say or do what our impulses tell us. The less then stellar walkout became little more than a congregation of young people who seemed to be using the Iraq issue as a publicity stunt that crashed in the hanger. Everyone is entitled to have and express their opinion, but petty little exploits like what happened today do nothing more than deligitimize your stance in the eyes of those your trying to win over, no matter how justified you are in your beliefs. Seeing how i've been labeled a war hawk, all of americas esteemed liberals and/or 3rd partiers will probably say this is a load of shit. All i can say to them, the only way anyone of a differing stance is ever going to take you seriously is when you stop acting shocked that there are people in the world who dont agree with you, and stop treating them like the anti-christ.

I was appalled by the walk out that took place today. First we have the people who are completely anti-war who would rather die from chemical weapons then stand up for your self, secondly we have extreme opposite, the flag toting idiots who don't even know WHY we are going to war. Asked one he replied "Because Iraq kills their own civilians?" at which point I decided to completely disregard anything further to come from their mouths. The "Nuke Iraq" signs were not only highly distasteful but also strongly insulted my intelligence not to mention the arrogant dumb asses (for lack of a better word) who toted these signs.

- As I see it the answer lies somewhere in-between. For one thing give Iraq its dignity back. We all saw what happened after World War 1 (i.e.: ww2) whereas the world treated Germany exceedingly poorly. What gives the US the right to have such weapons but not Iraq? Why should Iraq be required to defend them selves with outdated technology (mainly ground troops) whereas we the last remaining super power get to sit on our exceedingly fat asses and have the ability to blow anything up without being there.

- Lastly why do they call Sadam evil? He has been depicted as such by the government and by the media, but other than the deaths of a few Kurds is it really justified to call him a "madman?" I say no. We are not in second grade, quit the name calling

Nude protests are a double-edged sword. But wait just a second, Ben... Military strategy concerning a perceived enemy of the U.S. is "moronic and hateful"? Hmm... Must've missed the memo.

Sure we have a right to free speech and all, but the planned walkout is going to do absolutely nothing. The free speech thing should be revised to state "effective free speech," because this will just make everybody look like morons. First of all, walking out in the middle of school will do nothing. Supposedly the "media" will be there... do you honestly think they would actually air an event in which **gasp** kids are skipping school? Like that never happens! Second, marching on the gas station will do nothing as well. The gas station isn't responsible for the oil crisis, it's just a small franchise. If anything, business and the owner would be hurt. How effective is a political statement if, at the same time, it is saying, "We have no idea what the real cause of the problem is, so we'll just go to the nearest gas station!" How much do you want to bet that half the kids will just trot on down and buy a Code Red and a bag of Doritos? Then, there's this whole notion that the day is supposed to not be "Business as Usual." (the supposed slogan for this "nation-wide" event) What about all the teachers and administrative officials who are paid by the very government the protest is againist? What if they don't want war? If they skip school, the don't get paid. Sure you can think of the school as an extension of the government, but it's fairly ironic that the institution that is educating these students for free is getting the shaft. If anything, public schools are probably the part of the government that is most opposed to the war. Why should the institution be hurt by a protest against something it is also opposed to? There are also a bunch of students who will take this opportunity to skip school, students who have absolutely no interest in the cause.
I could keep going on and on about how stupid this walkout will be. I'm neither radically opposed nor radically against the war (I haven't heard a convincing enough argument from either side yet) but this is just ridiculous. Exercise effective free speech, and get your message across in an accurate, visible manner, not just an excuse to skip school and hang out at the gas station.

Andrew, what you just said was moronic and hateful. We need to get one of those nude protest going though!

Before I start I would just like to say that Sadam is a horrible tyranical ruler and deserves to be placed in the presitigous category of Hitler and Stalin and that this world would be better with out him alive. But I think Bush is going at this situation all wrong. What Bush is doing right now is making it seem as if there will be a war on Sadam no matter what. Therefore whatever Sadam does it doesn't matter because Bush will invade. And we have seen that through Bush's speeches and most recently his follow-up statement of the Iraqi's destroying some of their missles, where he said this doesn't mean anything and so on. So Sadam is put in a precarious position if he disarms the US invades and he is fucked, if he rearms / continues to arm then he will stand a chance. So if I was Sadam I would get some big ass nukes and nuke the fuck out of the US and hope to kill everyone that could destroy him and his empire. And this scenerio don't look to good for us Americans, as we get the fuck bombed out of us . . . all because Bush is incompotent . . . ! Well the whole getting nuked is farfetched but the position that Bush is putting Sadam in is a reality and is only worsening the situation.

I believe that it is a very good idea to walk out and especially during school hours. We the people of the United States of America have a right to voice our opinion and have the neccesity to voice our opinions and people who trully believe the hour in Iraq is not justified they should walk out. And by walking out during school the students are bringing attention to there walk out, because before that letter was sent out I had no clue that a walk out was going to take place and now I am slightly entriuged about the walk out and considering participating in it. I think that our school should consider doing one of those nude protests! I would be all for that!

As most of you know by now, there is a walkout at school tomorrow to protest a potential war. I want to know people in the forum's opinion on the event. I am all for freedom of speech. I think that the thought of the walkout is a healthy thing. On the other hand, the planned march on the gas station is pointless and foolish. Other than making the students of Hopkins look like complete schmuks and hurting a local business, what will that accomplish? Another very stupid thing is that it is taking place during school. The reason why it is happening when it is is because the people planning it know that they wouldn't be able to get anyone to show up after school or on the weekend. It isn't planned when it is to "make a bigger statement" because it is not that much of an act of rebellion. All that would happen to a student who participates is an unexcused absence.Overall, I support the idea of having a protest (although I do not agree with the message of supporting Sadam) and freedom of speech. I just think that it could be done differently.

More proof of my point that Europe sucks is Belgium, a small country with nothing better to do than arrest its citizens who download mp3's. You'd think a government would have something better to do such as arrest people committing real crimes. But apparently in Belgium no one commits real crimes so instead of just firing some cops they started going after people who commit victimless crimes. What?s next Belgium, going to start arresting people for J-Walking? Belgium, get a life.