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How have we become so fragile?  America was built on courage, and can only continue to exist with courage.  We have abandon that which our fabric has been woven so much of late that our identity is threatened. 

By refusing rights to people or groups based on their beliefs we are admitting that we fear them.  We give them license to continue their extremism, because our fear is their goal.  We abandon our guiding principles.  And, possibly worst of all, we deprive ourselves of the opportunity to engage other beliefs in any real way.

Redefining torture, denying the right to a jury trial to our prisoners, refusing to allow criminal trials for terrorist suspects in New York City, disallowing aryan groups access to our towns...all smack of fear and fragility.  I am a former US Marine, and far from a pacifist.  But I hate war as only one who has seen it can. (Dwight Eisenhower) Therefore, i believe we must have the courage to allow every person and group their rights--such as allowing them to live among us--so that we may be seen as courageous and the "Shining light of democracy" we like to think we are.

I AM NOT AFRAID OF THEM!!!! Let them buy the house next door to me.  I will try to engage them, and use all legal means to deal with them.  Their beliefs will not change if we isolate them in a vacuum in which they are only exposed to like-minded people. 

posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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This is the second xmas i have had since my son died.  I really have never liked xmas much except for the joy he brought to it.  his loss is unrecoverable, but--oddly--losing him has given me many things as well.  Saliently, a group of friends that care deeply for me and never tire of my discussions of him.  I miss my boy a lot.  But since i cant have him, this group of friends is a great comfort. 

posted 3 years, 4 months ago
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