Shame on the US public, Champion sportswear

[Turf1600]

I can't even begin to express how disappointed I am with the US public and the media regarding the attitude towards Bin Laden's death. It's no mystery why the world hates us. My faith in the moral and ethical integrity of this country as a whole has diminished significantly. How is it that so few people recognize the hypocracy that we have collectively demonstrated? Moreover, how can people claim to be religious while behaving as they have? Everything that I have observed has been void of morality and in disagreement with our constitution. This has been a sad, sad week.

Additionally, I am boycotting Champion as a result of their severed ties with Rashard Mendenhall. Shame on them for cutting him for practicing his religion and standing up for his beliefs.

[Rsully70sev]

I mean, come on-it's Bin Laden were talking about here. It's a question of ones pride, not necessarily faith.

A few questions for you...

-What hypocracy are you refering to?
-Who is claiming to be religious, and how is this in any way related?
-What is in disagreement with our constitution?

[Rsully70sev]

Plain and simple. It was in poor taste.

"Mendenhall also expresses sympathy for bin Laden. “What kind of person celebrates death?” Mendenhall says. “It’s amazing how people can HATE a man they have never even heard speak. We’ve only heard one side.”

But what would the other side have been? Bin Laden admits to masterminding and funding the plot; he has bragged about it. He’s not entitled to the presumption of innocence after admitting guilt.

We fully believe in free speech. Mendenhall has the right to say whatever he wants. But others also have the right to react to what he says. And given that he plays for a team headquartered near the location of the crash of United 93 and that the Steelers will be playing on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 in Baltimore, not all that far from where another plane crashed into the Pentagon, we’ve got a feeling that more than a few folks will be exercising their free speech rights when Mendenhall comes out onto the field."

[Turf1600]

-What hypocracy are you refering to?
-Who is claiming to be religious, and how is this in any way related?
-What is in disagreement with our constitution?

1. Just over 10 years ago we watched in outrage as supporters of al-qaeda celebrated the death of american citizens. Days ago the US demonstratively celebrated the death of al-qaeda supporters. We should be remorseful that Bin Laden was not captured alive. We are setting a horrible example for our youth and for the rest of the world.

2. I don't really know how to answer this - but the atheist community is largely disgusted by the behavior of our public. Other than that my statement is directed at many who I know who claim to be religious but apparently pick and choose when to apply the teachings of the bible.

3. Champion Sportswear's decision to sever ties with Mendenhall are impeding on his right to practice religion and free speech. I know that the counterpoint on this is that he isn't protected from the result of his words - but that's like saying you have the right to free press and we have the right to burn it - or you have the right to practice your religion and we have the right to punish you for it. That is not freedom.

[Turf1600]

Plain and simple. It was in poor taste.

"Mendenhall also expresses sympathy for bin Laden. “What kind of person celebrates death?” Mendenhall says. “It’s amazing how people can HATE a man they have never even heard speak. We’ve only heard one side.”

But what would the other side have been? Bin Laden admits to masterminding and funding the plot; he has bragged about it. He’s not entitled to the presumption of innocence after admitting guilt.

We fully believe in free speech. Mendenhall has the right to say whatever he wants. But others also have the right to react to what he says. And given that he plays for a team headquartered near the location of the crash of United 93 and that the Steelers will be playing on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 in Baltimore, not all that far from where another plane crashed into the Pentagon, we’ve got a feeling that more than a few folks will be exercising their free speech rights when Mendenhall comes out onto the field."

Forgiveness does not come with fine print and there are no circumstancial exceptions to ethical behavior.

Please read Mendenhall's blog: http://r34mendenhall.blogspot.com/

He makes a very good argument in his favor.

[87e30]

1. Just over 10 years ago we watched in outrage as supporters of al-qaeda celebrated the death of american citizens. Days ago the US demonstratively celebrated the death of al-qaeda supporters. We should be remorseful that Bin Laden was not captured alive. We are setting a horrible example for our youth and for the rest of the world.

We do not rejoice at killing innocent people. We are happy that we have eliminated an individual responsible for the death of thousand and thousands of innocent. Big difference.

2. I don't really know how to answer this - but the atheist community is largely disgusted by the behavior of our public. Other than that my statement is directed at many who I know who claim to be religious but apparently pick and choose when to apply the teachings of the bible.

A) this isn't related. B) what's your point?

3. Champion Sportswear's decision to sever ties with Mendenhall are impeding on his right to practice religion and free speech. I know that the counterpoint on this is that he isn't protected from the result of his words - but that's like saying you have the right to free press and we have the right to burn it - or you have the right to practice your religion and we have the right to punish you for it. That is not freedom.

This isn't the same at all. The government didn't prohibit him from his freedom, his employer let him go as a result of poor actions that he took. I don't walk into work and say things that I think would get me into trouble.

Dude... really? really?

[Turf1600]

Dude... really? really?

Really.

We do not rejoice at killing innocent people. We are happy that we have eliminated an individual responsible for the death of thousand and thousands of innocent. Big difference.

I'm not arguing that he wasn't guilty - but his death is no cause for celebration. There is no victory - only loss.

A) this isn't related. B) what's your point?

I was answering a question. The behavior that I have observed is not in line with the teachings of the bible. Seeing as less than 10% of the country is atheist I can only conclude that I witnessed the other 90% celebrating. How do they turn their back on their faith so easily?

This isn't the same at all. The government didn't prohibit him from his freedom, his employer let him go as a result of poor actions that he took. I don't walk into work and say things that I think would get me into trouble.

No company should fire someone for practicing their religion. That is ultimately what Mendenhall was doing.

[87e30]

Really.



I'm not arguing that he wasn't guilty - but his death is no cause for celebration. There is no victory - only loss.



I was answering a question. The behavior that I have observed is not in line with the teachings of the bible. Seeing as less than 10% of the country is atheist I can only conclude that I witnessed the other 90% celebrating. How do they turn their back on their faith so easily?



No company should fire someone for practicing their religion. That is ultimately what Mendenhall was doing.

wow.

[Turf1600]

wow.

That was compelling. I'll assume that when my argument leaves someone without rebuttal that I have made my point effectively.

[87e30]

That was compelling. I'll assume that when my argument leaves someone without rebuttal that I have made my point effectively.

I just really don't care enough about what you think to keep typing, I'm sure you feel similarly. I mean I understand everyone thinks differently it just blows my mind how that thought process makes sense to you. Lets just leave at is we'll never agree and move on.

[Rsully70sev]

Your view on this is disgusting. #1 is hardly a relevent comparison.

"but that's like saying you have the right to free press and we have the right to burn it"

...that's EXCATLY what it's like. You have the right to read your Ray Bradbury books, I have the right to preheat them to 451.

[Dozyproductions]

...that's EXCATLY what it's like. You have the right to read your Ray Bradbury books, I have the right to preheat them to 451.

stop being so stoned.


Does anyone remember giving the Nazis trials?

[Rsully70sev]

I just really don't care enough about what you think to keep typing, I'm sure you feel similarly. I mean I understand everyone thinks differently it just blows my mind how that thought process makes sense to you. Lets just leave at is we'll never agree and move on.

Well said. I'm done.

[LBJefferies]

In my opinion, who cares about all the moral, holier than thou bullshit. The guy attacked the United States and our allies, and we got revenge. We won, and it feels great. All those people who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan didn't actually die in vein.

Now if you want to look at it from a different perspective. Iraq has more or less winded down. Afghanistan is going to be winding down soon as long as Obama keeps the withdrawl timetable. And now the god like, mass murdering figure head of terrorism is dead. At the very least, we can celebrate the end of a rough patch in America's history. This is a huge psychological boost for America. Things have been shitty since 9/11 and hopefully now we can move on and look to the future rather than dwell on the past. Celebration is definitely warranted.

Also, do you really think the world hates us for celebrating this? Bin Laden is responsible for terrorist acts in countless countries including Spain, the UK, Kenya, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc, etc. They are all just as glad as we are about him being gone.

[Turf1600]

Your view on this is disgusting. #1 is hardly a relevent comparison.

Care to elaborate? In terms of morality, what's the difference?

"but that's like saying you have the right to free press and we have the right to burn it"



...that's EXCATLY what it's like. You have the right to read your Ray Bradbury books, I have the right to preheat them to 451.

I didn't mean "we" to be you specifically - I meant for it to represent a governing body.



Regardless, this is all semantics. I just don't see how death can be cause for celebration. Am I wrong for refusing to celebrate revenge? Is it unethical or immoral of me to find no joy in death? I fail to see what is so "disgusting" about my perspective. If I'm missing the point and am robbing myself of some kind of happiness let me know - but by all means explain; because my convictions tell me that this is not an occasion that should yeild rejoice. I don't see any victory here. My intuitions tell me that this is a reminder of past loss and an indication of future turmoil rather than some sort of accomplishment.