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It is only some US citizens who think that way and they are hopefully in a minority. Most of the US people I've meet have been very nice and accept differing points of view when necessary. But most times {from my limited personal experience} they are just nice people and it doesn't matter what country they come from.

Col

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Why is it that it's never considered that simply disagreeing with someone is not the same as trying to deny any person's right to speech? A person (or nation) is free to say whatever they dang well please, and another person (or nation) is free to respond however he/she/they dang well please. It's not denying anything. And it's not trying to deny anything.

Why is it that such a silly assertion is never applied the other way around?

And why is that this "free speech" thing is so often misinterpreted, misused and misapplied?

I fully agree with you on that and there are many people I agree to disagree with .

Perhaps it is just the way some people take the others point of view that is the problem.

Col

it only applies to America and American actions. It does apply the other way (as you suggest) if another country/person exercises that right and it applies even more if that person/country is bashing, abusing, criticizing America.

What a bunch of ... bah whats the point.

If you wanted to criticize our beloved Federal Government or even most of our State Governments I don't think you'd be as harsh as I am on them but feel free to do so when ever you like.

I'll probably go even further.

Col

But I can't criticize other Democratic governments because of the very fact that they are Democratic. I may not agree with their ideology on the political scale, but I won't criticize. Although I will criticize the tyrannies and dictators and of course my own government (France is an exception).

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I've noticed a lot of people criticize government (Heck, I even do it). But the ones who seem to criticize the longest and loudest are the ones who advocate more of it.

(Not necessarily suggesting that you are included in that group.)

Criticize government, all polititians are scoundrals, and on and on, or so "they" say.

Therefore what?

Therefore, that's a great agrument for less of it - less government, not more.

I'd just appoint an administrator and make sure he/she did a really good job. It would sure as hell save a lot of money that goes to out of work pollies after they retire.

Col

Hi Max, back from a bit of Internet drought (lots of work to do).

What you say concerns me a lot. In some cases there are nations who had terrible things done to them in the past, so now to make up, nobody dares say anything against them for fear of being labeled racist, anti-semite etc. Of course I'm talking of Israel's occupation and treatment of Palestinians, often compared to the old Apartheid regime, but of course if people say that of Israel, they're labeled as anti-semite. And yet a person should be able to voice their opinion, I'm not so sure they should say exactly what they please, sometimes in my work I have to write letters to opposing parties and would often like to say: Dear Sir, you are an arsehole now go to ****. I could say it another words so he says thank you and enjoys the trip, but it still means I have to word things carefully.

Just a thought.