Pease help then kindly die.

[Rogue]

Check out the guy's T-shirt watching the stretcher pass by.
Do you think he’ll refuse aid from The Great Satan?

[telkanuru]

Erm, I'm not sure what you're trying to say. But I am sure that you're not sure what you're trying to say...

Trolls...

[Rogue]

I'm sure if you think about it you can figure it out.

[telkanuru]

It would be helpful if you had said where the picture was from... I do have it now.

In any case, yes, I think he would, since people are, by and large, hypocrates. In any case, I am still confused as to exactly what you would like to discuss about this picture. Do you think it's god smiting the heathens, or something?

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

can you spell over my head? I dont get it.

[Inquartata]

He is watching a victim of the tsunami be taken away, wearing a Bin Laden t-shirt. The question concerns the consistency of his attitudes toward the US: will he follow his "principles" as far as refusing aid from us immoral crusading occupiers of holy Muslim places and oppressors of the faithful?

Or---maybe someone just gave him a free t-shirt and, being poor, he took it regardless of what it depicted?

[esskreemr]

Maybe he is the victim of a propaganda campaign that deifies Osama bin Laden that deifies the "good" things that he does and plays down on the bad things. Much like single-minded rednecks in this country, it doesn't take much to convince them that whatever happens was right no matter what.

How many people in this country have swastika tatoos? How many people in this country belong to the Knuts of the Ku Klux Klan?

[Epee_Pox]

So the guy supports Bin Laden and wishes nothing but harm for Americans. Nothing in the picture implies that he's asking them for help, however.

I don't doubt, of course, that he'd gladly accept any help from any source. Who wouldn't in such a tragic situation?

A question I'd rather ponder is whether, after receiving aid from America and elsewhere, his attitude toward the West changes.

If past history is any indication, his attitude won't be affected. Charity rarely results in fondness; it frequently just enhances resentment. Don't know why this is, but that's how it is.

[Epee_Pox]

Originally Posted by esskreemr

Much like single-minded rednecks in this country, it doesn't take much to convince them that whatever happens was right no matter what.

I'm sorry?

Such derogatory language reveals far more about the speaker than those he's speaking about.

Eskreemr clearly looks down on certain people as being simple, easily led, uncritical, and (if one can make a reasonable inference from the use of the term 'rednecks') from rural/exurban areas and of modest means.

And he makes the same associations about the kind of people who might wear a Bin Laden t-shirt. And if he looks down on the 'rednecks' he probably looks down on them, too.

I, for one, am disgusted.

He probably thinks he's an open, free-thinking, accepting, liberal, generous person without even a smidge of prejudice, too. I believe someone mentioned hypocrisy...

[esskreemr]

Well, thank you for the psychological analysis. Can you tell everybody what I ate for dinner last night? How about which finger I'm holding up?

Originally Posted by Epee_Pox

I'm sorry?

Apology accepted.

Originally Posted by Epee_Pox

Such derogatory language reveals far more about the speaker than those he's speaking about.

Yes, and you supposedly have a crystal clear channel into the intellect behind the posting. Derogatory language? Please. There are plenty of people who revel in the term. The redneck culture is alive and well and gaining numbers.
That being said, I believe that you are taking my use of "redneck" and expanding to your preconcieved notions. Your taking it out of context. Even sounds like you took it a "little" personal. Now why is that?

Were you one of the people that wished we would have "finished the job" we started at Hiroshima and Nagasaki? Oh wait, that was an act of war, so it was alright; I keep forgetting. I'll bet the 200,000+ innocent civilians that died in a flash will remember, except their dead. Of course, we probably killed a couple thousand military personnel so it was ok.

Originally Posted by Epee_pox

Eskreemr clearly looks down on certain people as being simple, easily led, uncritical, and (if one can make a reasonable inference from the use of the term 'rednecks') from rural/exurban areas and of modest means.

Yes, it's so clear now that your explaining it too me. Based on my experience, the majority of people are much more willing to be led. Many are much more willing to allow others to think for them. They fail to look further into issues. They are happy with the blurbs from CNN. Does this make the bad people? No. Does this mean that I automatically turn my nose up at them? According to you it does. Of course, as usual you are completely wrong. Good thing to see that the upcoming New Year has changed much.

Would it help reveal more of my nature if I was to tell you that I'm from an extremely rural area? Would it help if you knew that I am on the low-end of the "modest means" category? Probably not. You're probably hanging an Eskreemr is Un'merican Banner from your pickup truck right now. You're probably going to post how I'm disparaging pickup truck owners and looking down on them. Before you do, you should know that I own a pickup truck, there's no "Eskreemr is a communist" bumper sticker on it though...

Originally Posted by Epee_pox

And he makes the same associations about the kind of people who might wear a Bin Laden t-shirt. And if he looks down on the 'rednecks' he probably looks down on them, too.

Yes, you're right, I look down on anybody who would consider the deaths of over 3,000 people as a good thing in any context (them). I also look down on anyone who considers the death of 100,000+ as "a good thing it didn't happen to us". Just for the record so that Epee_Pox can get down off his high horse (so he doesn't accidentally fall an break his neck), I'm not saying that ALL rednecks are holding "Thank God that 80,000 muslims just died" parties.

Originally Posted by Epee_pox

I, for one, am disgusted.

Your self-righteous indignation is duly noted.

Originally Posted by Epee_Pox

He probably thinks he's an open, free-thinking, accepting, liberal, generous person without even a smidge of prejudice, too. I believe someone mentioned hypocrisy...

Yes, I probably do. As for the smidge of prejudice? Humans will never completely rid themselves of prejudice. Our brains are hard-wired to chunk data for easier storage and retrieval. The development of pockets of human civilization all over the earth with differing physical characteristics, religious, social, and other cultural elements has produced people who are suspicious of those who don't look, act, and/or think like them. Prejudging is as much a part of being human as breathing, it's being able to reconsider the prejudice that lifts us a little higher.

Have a Happy New Year Epee_Pox. Love you. Take care. I hope your family has a great New Year-- esskreemr

[Rogue]

Did anyone notice I forgot the "L" in please? I need to slow down these lightning fingers of mine.

Please continue with discussion. That's what the post is for.

[Epee_Pox]

You left out the L? You left out the L ? YOU LEFT OUT THE L ?

My... my heart... oh no

[Epee_Pox]

Originally Posted by esskreemr

Your self-righteous indignation is duly noted.

Thanks!

And a very happy New Year to you, too!

[Inquartata]

See how the holiday season heals rifts and promotes harmony?

Or maybe that's just the alcohol.

Anyhoo, yes I think the fellow probably IS the dupe of persons and organizations who rely on fomenting hatred and discontent in order to increase and maintain their own power bases. Which doesn't mean that he doesn't bear partial responsibilty for allowing himself to be brainwashed and used, if the ends are evil...but he's probably more sinned against than sinning. Always assuming, again, that his t-shirt reflects his views, which is not a certainty.

If it does, then also yes, having to accept handouts, especially from a source one considers disagreeable, is unlikely to change a person's heart for the better. The best that can be hoped is that aid, if perceived to be sincere and without ulterior motives, might tip those who are still on the fence in one direction and make the task of the jihadi agitators and madrasas a bit more difficult.

Unfortunately, in addition to aid we are also sending a Marine expeditionary force and some naval vessels to help with the relief efforts. I suspect that that will be used to good effect by the FPI, Laskar Jihad, Jemaah Islamiyah, perhaps even the Tamil separatists, for propaganda and recruitment purposes.

[LUDICROUS]

Perhaps he doesn't like the USA, perhaps he likes Bin Laden, perhaps he can have his own opinion... Nice to know that your avatar is the USA's flag, Rogue. Don't go make us think you're another redneck yankee who thinks America should rule the world.

But then, you're entitled to an opinion.

[Epee_Pox]

Lud, what on earth gave you the impression that Rogue is "another redneck yankee who thinks America should rule the world"? If a NZ person had the NZ flag as an avatar, would that justify similar extravagant claims?

And I doubt Rogue had a problem with the individual in question being entitled to an opinion. I think his point was to point out his perceived hypocrisy that such a person might vilify the US while at the same time ask for help from the US.

[Rogue]

Originally Posted by LUDICROUS

Perhaps he doesn't like the USA, perhaps he likes Bin Laden, perhaps he can have his own opinion... Nice to know that your avatar is the USA's flag, Rogue. Don't go make us think you're another redneck yankee who thinks America should rule the world.

But then, you're entitled to an opinion.

I'm no Yankee! I'm from Oklahoma well south of the Mason/Dixon line. My redneck is present but fading,( I stopped sleeping with my sister 2 years ago. My goal is to stop sleeping with my cousins in 2005.)

Do all Kiwi's have the ability to read minds? How did you know I wanted to rule the world (mwaahaha, mwaahaha) from my post re: this guy’s shirt?

PS
I hope Kiwi is not a derogative nickname. If it is, my apologies.

[esskreemr]

Originally Posted by Epee_Pox

And I doubt Rogue had a problem with the individual in question being entitled to an opinion. I think his point was to point out his perceived hypocrisy that such a person might vilify the US while at the same time ask for help from the US.

Does anyone know the name of the guy in the picture. Perhaps we can see if he has accepted American aid. Maybe he just takes the Japanese handouts? Where is the letter where he grudglingly accepts aid from the "Accursed American heretical swine?" I know I had it here somewhere...

[Rogue]

Originally Posted by esskreemr

Does anyone know the name of the guy in the picture. Perhaps we can see if he has accepted American aid. Maybe he just takes the Japanese handouts? Where is the letter where he grudglingly accepts aid from the "Accursed American heretical swine?" I know I had it here somewhere...

Not heretics, infidels.

[Epee_Pox]

Originally Posted by esskreemr

Does anyone know the name of the guy in the picture. Perhaps we can see if he has accepted American aid. Maybe he just takes the Japanese handouts? Where is the letter where he grudglingly accepts aid from the "Accursed American heretical swine?" I know I had it here somewhere...

I think that's the general response here. We can't tell from the photo what the guy thinks, believes or wants -- apart from the powerful sorrow of the moment.

Rogue perceived a hypocrisy and pointed it out, and such hypocrisy is not uncommon, but whether this particular person is the hypocrite Rogue thinks he is is something none of us can know.