You're right, Brian. Everyone is free to speak his/her mind. I have no problem with people with differing views debating issues in an intelligent and respectful manner. What I do have a problem with, however, is postings that border on hate speech. For instance, there is a thread on here right now titled "Those tolerant Muzzies, you gotta love 'em". If i were a muslim on this forum with the intention of discussing bonsai, I would be so offended. Would we tolerate a thread on here entitled "Those tolerant niggers, you gotta love 'em"? Would that be any different?
The problem with "The Bar" is that with thread titles like this, you cannot simply choose to "stay out of the Bar" as you say. The offensive language is right there for everyone to read. I think it is completely inappropriate for a site that is supposed to be about bonsai. If you want to post nonsense like this, fine. I have no problem with freedom of speech. I'm sure Bill O'Reilly or Glenn Beck or Limbaugh would love to hear some enlightening thoughts on "Muzzies".
Damn if I didn’t find another $.02 to toss in…
You’re right, technically there is no difference, and both statements are still protected under our 1st amendment rights…like it or not. Founding Fathers also prayed that we would be moral enough to curb ourselves appropriately, and the Bar proves we ain’t perfect.
Problem is, like it or not, we’re at war with radical Islam…or, more accurately, they’re at war with us. The fact that some are offended by this statement is due to the meat tenderizer we’ve been put through called Political Correctness. It is the same reason why you’ll be surprised by another attack on our soil, and ready to quickly turn another tenderized cheek of tolerance to an enemy who only sees this as a weakness.
I’m offended as a Christian that the PC wimps in New York haven’t had the balls to stand up and call the lower Manhattan mosque site what it is; a monument to Islam’s triumph over our evil Capitalist beliefs…beliefs our country was founded upon.
How dare we forget so quickly? 9 years is all it takes? Who wasn’t moved almost to tears yesterday watching those unprovoked attacks on our innocent people?