Talibanās interior minister is on FBIās most-wanted list, believed to be holding American hostage
Sirajuddin Haqqani, the head of the terror group known as the Haqqani network who is wanted by the FBI, has been named the Talibanās interim interior minister,
The Haqqani network is known to be a ruthless arm of the Taliban and has been blamed on attacks in the country against coalition forces. The FBI has a $10 million bounty on his head. It is believed that he is holding at least one American hostage, according to the Associated Press.
He will oversee law enforcement in Kabul.
This is one of the most disgusting and outrageous decisions , I have ever read. Who are you going to offend? a fuxxking terrorist? a woke warrior? Are you even Americans? or are you someone who kisses every woke ass you can find? The parents in your school district should protest until you are fired or die of COVID.
Washington state HS calls off 9/11 football tribute because some could be offended, report says
Students at a Washington state high school wanted to mark the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks by wearing red, white and blue at a Patriotās Day-themed game,a report says
Students at a Washington state high school wanted to mark the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks by wearing red, white and blue at a Patriotās Day-themed game the day before the anniversary but were refused because the event could āunintentionally cause offense to some who see it differently,ā according to a report.
Jason Rantz, a host on KTTH 770/94.5FM, reported that the event was canceled by an unnamed staffer at Eastlake High School in Sammamish āat the last minute.ā A student told the show that he was informed that the āred, white and blue was going to be seen as racially insensitive and may affect people in a way that we will not understand and for that reason that we were to change our theme.ā
The station posted a screengrab of an email from one of the schoolās associate principals to a parent that said she understands the āsacrifice and values our flag represents, but I think they [school leadership] just did not want to unintentionally cause offense to some who see it differently.ā
You know, as bad as these decisions seem, we have to consider we are dealing with government employees who just donāt want to deal with any potential bullshit from some crybaby who can find a lawyer and/or incite the twitter mob resulting in them losing their jobs. Just being accused of something like racism can ruin your career. These people spend more thinking about how not lose their jobs than doing their jobs and you really canāt blame them.
Or you could have some judges with a single hair on their ass, who would fine/imprison lawyers bringing frivolous lawsuits
Well thatās a can 'o worms haha
In total seriousness, there has to be some point where 1 personās preference and the willingness of the legal system to allow compensation/punishment must be stopped. 10,000 people want to wear a color that denotes patriotism, is stymied by a suggestion that āsomeā may not fell patriotic?
Iām offended by your trail dog (actually my pick for coolest dog on the site) because I prefer schnauzers, so now you either bike with schnauzer or stay home? Not one iota different.
The irony is that this extreme manifestation of inclusiveness, which comes from the extreme left and its love for communism and socialism (the collective above all else), is an extreme expression of individualism as one personās āneedsā can hold an entire population hostage. Everyone is welcome as long as everyone thinks the same way. Thatās their diversity.
I understand because I deal with this crap on a daily basis. The USG is one of the most difficult places to work and navigate this woke terrain, however, this was a national tribute to the victims of 9/11, not some rally for the Confederate dead. Thousands of events, like the one I attended at a local high school had no fears of expressing tribute. The staff, admin, or who ever made this decision are just cowards, not willing to stand up to anything. They certainly demonstrate an excellent example to their unfortunate students.
I read this article and the author sums up my thoughts much better than me.
We are, for better and for worse, not the same country we were 20 years ago. As poignant as all the reminders and memorials for September 11 are to me, I canāt neglect that we are split and fractured. This is very disturbing to me. We are polarized and angry at one another. We are not united.
We all demand tolerance and acceptance. Yet, the worst epidemic we are really facing is the lack of acceptance and the vitriol we have for everyone who does not think as we do.
In an effort to break down walls and barriers and in the name of āprogressā we have created new and worse barriers. Lines are being drawn, and for each label that we claim we try to erase, we instead create two more. Dialogue is nonexistent and any form of alternate opinions or viewpoints are canceled and shut down.
In an effort to impede or prevent authoritarianism or fascism, we are ironically becoming more fascist. In an effort to build a āmore perfect unionā the union between us is less perfect than ever.
We are currently not a united group of states. Not in any way.
On the morning of September 11, Congress was evacuated from the Capitol Building for fear of more attacks. Later that night, when it appeared that everything was over, they all joined one another on the steps of the Capitol and sang āGod Bless America.ā Republicans and Democrats. All of them together in unison, side-by-side. It was perfect.
I think itās probably pretty safe to say that that would not happen today. Not only would Congress not do anything side-by-side, but they also wouldnāt sing, and certainly not āGod Bless Americaā as it would probably offend somebody. They wouldnāt even be able to agree on what song to sing without debates, bills, and split votes along party lines. Or, even if they should be seen side-by-side with those other people.
However, this is the lesson of September 11. Unity. The Union. Too many people have paid a terrible price for us to forget that lesson. Too many brave men and women ā of all walks of life ā have given too much for us to forget, and throw it all away. Is this idealistic? Absolutely
I must agree to disagree here. The notion of excess patriotism is fairly unique to America. I must say, the prospect of being proud over the country you were born in baffles me, as you donāt choose your place of birth
When I was living in America I didnāt fly an American flag in my room, I didnāt pledge allegiance to the flag either. By all accounts, I wasnāt American; and Americans certainly didnāt think I was one of them either; as was evident by people continually prodding at me as if I was an alien āsay this word in Australian! Say shark! Say kangaroo!ā
I donāt sing the Australian national anthem eitherā¦ And Iām certainly not proud to be an Australianā¦ Iām ashamed and embarrassed to be an Australian at this point in time.
Plenty of Australian troops have fallen throughout the yearsā¦ 60,000 Australian troops fought during WWI to preserve the British Empire (at the time, no British Empire = Australia would have been no more; highly prone to hostile takeover). Stillā¦ I donāt associate that with the Australian flag despite the many soldiers who fell trying to preserve this nation by defending the British Empire.
I have nothing but the utmost respect for the troops who risk life and limb for the preservation of democratic principles. But I donāt associate my attitude towards a flag to correlate with my respect for soldiers. And yesā¦ In aware of American history, the people who died to preserve the idealistic conceptualisation of what America is today.
America is a fantastic country, easily one of the top ten places Iād like to live out my days inā¦ But if someone doesnāt like Americaā¦ Fineā¦ Freedom of speech exists, you canāt pick and choose because this offends you/doesnāt fit your narrative.
You can call her outā¦ Call her a moron like Idaho did, but she should still be free to take down a flagā¦ Because itās a flag
Sure, itās a symbol of democracy, freedom, the American dreamā¦ Itās a symbol of (imo) greatness, but I donāt think sheās purposefully trying to say āfuck soldiers, fuck those who diedā. Woke people generally donāt have that level of insight.
She doesnāt like Americaā¦ She took down the flag so long as that flag isnāt sayā¦ Public property in a museum commemorating American historyā¦ Big deal, that doesnāt affect you.
If you start saying āif someone has an American flag on their property they CANNOT defile that flag, disrespect it or take it downā¦ā Thatās a fairly autocratic principleā¦
Nowā¦ If sheās taking down the flag and explaining to the kids in her classroom why America is bad or whateverā¦ That"s a problem, she neednāt push her beliefs on children. Kids ought to be able to grow and develop political beliefs independently
If she took down a flagā¦ Not a big deal, if the flag was government property and she took it down, then Iād argue itās an issue. Either way, I think we are making a fairly big deal out of thisā¦ I donāt like ācancel cultureā.
I didnāt watch the whole video, I stopped when she said a flag made her uncomfortableā¦ Itās not a Nazi flag or a Hezbollah logo or somethingā¦ Itās a flag representative of a democratic country. Must be pretty easy for something to upset her if a display of an American flag is enough to tile her up.
Either way, I think we are analysing this unnecessarily. Chances are someone will complain if sheās pushing her political beliefs onto kids, after which she will be reprimanded and told such behaviour isnāt appropriateā¦ The end.
People on here acting as if sheās some sort of super terroristā¦ Chances are sheās not a bad person, she just has some odd beliefs.
What a jokeā¦ New Zeland has become Aus over the past ten yearsā¦
They initially resisted the nanny state push, now theyāre tightening weapons laws fairly rapidlyā¦ Theyāre becoming increasingly more ānanny stateā like, though theyāve partially resisted the authoritarian push as seen within Aussie society.
Though on certain fronts theyāre more libertarian than Aus. They still have slightly more lax firearms
regulations
But the nanny state intrusions have been rapidly creeping up over the past 10-15 years in NZ, whereas Australia this shit has been creeping up for the past 25 yearsā¦
NZ isnāt quite as much of a police state relative to Ausā¦ You can leave the country/come back. You canāt leave Australia and havenāt been able to for almost two years at this point.
However theyāre also very authoritarian re their covid 19 approach (though still arguably a step below Aus)
Itās interesting how media quoted Auckland, NZ as the best place to live in the worldā¦ They donāt take into account variables like mental health, freedom of movement etc
New Zeland literally has the highest teen suicide rate in the WORLDā¦ Itās a consequence of living in a yobbo society, aimless, directionlessā¦ Obsessed with intrusive policy for āthe greater goodā, unaffordable housing etc. Both Aus and NZ are TERRIBLE places for young people to liveā¦ Unless youāre very, very rich.
This is also the case in Ausā¦ Though the divide isnāt between left/rightā¦ The divide is now seen between states of which have each unveiled a nasty, idiotic and headspinningly frustrating nationalistic streak due to covid.
Hellā¦ Thereās even divides between communities within the same state (i.e regional vs metropolitan Victoria). Everyone hates one another. Very, VERY toxic society to be a part of. Whenever a lockdown occurs people get pissed off with others from the STATE a single case of the virus trickled out fromā¦ Instead of being pissed off at the politicians for taking an authoritarian sledgehammer to hammer in a nail
How the hell do you know that? She has already demonstrated she is total woke, silly ass, flag hating cunt.
Those soldiers died for their country , which was represented by their flag. How do you separate that?
[quote=āunreal24278, post:8439, topic:219703ā]
I have nothing but the utmost respect for the troops who risk life and limb for the preservation of democratic principles. But I donāt associate my attitude towards a flag to correlate with my respect for soldiers. And yesā¦ In aware of American history, the people who died to preserve the idealistic conceptualisation of what America is today.
This makes no sense. What are saying?
They died for their country and what we stand for. Idealistic conceptualisation? What the fuck is this?
Sure you can, I disagree with everything you have written here. I will always disagree with liberal cunts who spit on the flag, but, never have the guts to leave .
Its a symbol of our country that has been soaked in the blood of our people. Just because you have no loyalty to a flag, doesnāt mean that everyone else does. If you move to Israel, you going to ignore their flag also?
Bullshit. She knew exactly what she was doing.
What the hell do you think she was doing with the gay flag?
Yes, I am. It is a big deal. She is a school teacher, if she doesnāt believe in the country, why is she allow to teach American children? Why not teach in Cuba or some private woke school with every other POS cancel culture warrior?
Exactly.
Yep, that sums it up.
What gay flag? What are you talking about? I didnāt watch the whole video. I stopped after she talked about a flag making her uncomfortable.
Agree to disagree. I donāt know who she is, but the woke people Iāve spoken too tend to lack insight pertaining to the constructs they rally against.
Do you REALLY think someone like this who lives in a separate reality/echo chamber separate from the real world thinks about the historical significance behind the foundation of America? This is one of those people who somehow thinks America is the living embodiment of some autocratic shithole like Somalia or Saudi Arabia. Iāve met people like this, people who say shit like āChina is great, the atrocious human rights record is fake news #communismā. Theyāre detached from reality, living in their own little world of fallacious rhetoric.
You arenāt getting through to themā¦ Instead of getting angry, point a finger and laugh at how absurd they are. I spend a LOT of my time isolated and angry, I canāt even travel more than 3.1 miles away from home unless Iām going to work otherwise I risk getting arrested, fined 5,000$ā¦ This is going on day 227 of this bullshitā¦
I never said I had no loyaltyā¦ Youāre putting words in my mouth. What I said is, I donāt care what OTHER people do with flags so long as itās their property they choose to meddle with.
Are you calling me a cunt? I apologise if Iāve upset you, that was not my intention. Iām not a liberal btw. Liberal would infer Iām left wing, however Iām neither left nor rightā¦ Actually thatās not true
I USED to be fairly left wing, but from watching Australiaās descent into authoritatianism Iāve shifted towards centre right. There are still a few ideologies from the left (abortion, climate change, the ability to be homosexual without risking losing your job, drug decriminalisation, etc), but on the other hand I advocate for the right to bear arms (to a degreeā¦ Depends on the type of weapon), Iāve come around on this after watching the police decimate peaceful protestors over here because tHeY cPuLd Be SpReAdInG tHe ViRuSā¦ Also advocate for small government, individualism, deregulation (used to be in favour of the opposite for many constructsā¦ But excess regulation = a batshit nanny state like Aus) and more.
It is interesting youāve specified youāre independent, but you refer to liberals (left wing) as cunts? That indicates youāre not independent. Independent would infer not advocating for a specific side. Are you referring to the WOKE as cunts/dickheads, or the entire left wing spectrum.
Once again, I apologise if Iāve offended you. Perhaps Iām being insensitive as there is a cultural element to patriotism, Iām not disrespecting that; although I donāt understand it. Iām not proud to be Australianā¦ This country is fuckedā¦ Australians stranded overseas are barred entry and have been stranded for 20+ months now, Australian citizens canāt leave either. Why would I be proud to be a part of the country Iām born in IF being a citizen doesnāt grant you many rights over here?
Obviously America isnāt in this situationā¦ But for whatever reason, some people seem to think America is a cesspool of institutionalised racism, human rights violations and political misconduct. If I thought that way about my county, whether I was right or wrong, I wouldnāt be proud to be a part of it.
I happen to think America is obviously one of the better countries to be a citizen of ā¦ But for those who harbour alternate narratives, I can understand why theyād think otherwise.
This is why I donāt understand patriotism. You donāt choose the country youāre from, and not all countries are great countriesā¦ Thus I canāt understand the logic behind absolute devotion towards a country on the basis of birthplace.
I might do thisā¦ If I decide to go down this route Iād try serve in the IDF beforehand, whether I qualify for service is another question.
Iād want to ensure I earn my place within Isreali society if I move.
I donāt think the soldiers who died during WWI were fighting for what Australia has become now. I will always take a day out of the year to mourn the losses of the 60,000 (out of 400,000ā¦ Thatās more than a 10% mortality rate) soldiers who died, just as I take time out of 9/11 every year to think about the tragedy that unfolded that day despite not being America ā¦ But I donāt respect Australia as a country.
Even though I didnāt (always) pledge allegiance to the flag of Americaā¦ If I was to pledge allegiance to one flag given the choice of Aus or Americaā¦ Iād choose America hands down.
This doesnāt make me a traitor of my own country, or a cunt because I donāt respect the Australian flagā¦ Rather I respect the principles that America was not only founded upon, but the principles America has upheld throughout hundreds of years.
Australia was descends from a penal colony. Convicts who got out worked as prison wardens, housed other convicts for slave labour etc. Quotes from politicians like ācivil libertiesā¦ What nonesense!ā Are indicative of our societal mentality.
We herd towards uniformity, pandering towards intrusive public policy to attain a common denominatorā¦ The greater good
As a result, noā¦ I donāt respect Australia. I respect the soldiers who fought, but not the principles Australia was founded upon. Not what Australia has become
If for whatever reason this woman who took down the American flag lives in some alternate reality wherein she perceives America the way I perceive Australia; then I say she is entitled to take the flag down so long as
A: The flag is her property
B: She isnāt pushing it on anyone else
I donāt agree with her, I think sheās nutsā¦ Itās not as if America is a fucked up country like Saudi Arabia, but I also believe in freedom of speech.
She took down the flag in a classroom correct? This has me asking, is it her flag? If not, then she shouldnāt have taken it down. If it is her flag (her property) then she can do what she wants with it.
As to the Isreali flagā¦ In Isreal/Palestine, protests that were conducted in Aus prior to protests being made illegal, members of the Islamic community would burn the Isreali flag, my brothers friends who attended were spat on, had their Isreali flags yanked from them and torn up.
Does this piss me off? Absolutely, more than you can possibly imagine. BUT, I donāt think said protestors shouldnāt be allowed to defile their own flags theyāve brought (yanking flags from othersā¦ Not on)
Would I pledge allegiance to the flag of Israel? Yesā¦ Because Iām Jewish, my historyā¦ My race is interlinked with Israel.
I wasnāt American, I clearly wasnāt thought of as an American when I lived there; so why should I pledge allegiance to a flag within a country that not only did I not descent from, but I wasnāt a permenant citizen either. To note, sometimes I did pledge allegiance to the flagā¦
There are elements of American society I disagree withā¦ But thereās elements of every society I disagree with. All in all, as specified prior, at this point in my life America ranks as one of my top ten preferred destinations if I were to settle down.
Let me ask you @idaho would YOU have loyalty towards the Australian flag given the current situation Australia is in? A country where youāll be shot with rubber projectiles for protestingā¦ A country where leaving your house is grounds for arrestā¦ A country where you canāt travel interstate, internationally, you canāt visit family members (even dying relatives)ā¦ A country where those in palliative care are at times forced to die alone, away from family members because LoCkDoWnā¦ A country where certain nerf guns are considered registered firearmsā¦ Where those overseas with a valid citizenship are stranded overseas WITH the public supporting thisā¦ A country where social media posts pertaining to anti lockdown rhetoric can result in the police raiding your house and arresting youā¦ A country that is now arresting journalists for criticising state/federal governmentāsā¦ A country that shuts down parliament, now foots through mass surveillance billsā¦ A country where dual citizens are denied the right to leave if they wish to go to the other country they have a citizenship within less they wish to spend five years in prison
I could give many more examples
Would you be proud to be a part of a country like that? America is nothing like thisā¦ But if for whatever reason you harboured a similar sentiment towards America, would you be proud to be an American citizen?
Ok, last time before I go back to work. Not putting words in your mouth, you have said you live in America and now Australia. Yet, you are not loyal to those countries flags. What flag are you loyal to?
No, not you, her.
You have made your position on Australia clear, but, we were not talking about Australia, The post was about a woke cuntās view on the American flag.
For the past year, I havenāt seen much difference between them.
You didnāt, I just disagree with your post.
No, I donāt support totalitarian regimes . But, again we were talking about the US flag, nor Australia.
Well, I am an American and my race is interlinked with America.
I updated my response to you. Showcasing WHY I donāt respect Aus.
Curious to know what you think 
What flag am I loyal too? If we refer to loyal as āexpressing devotion and supportāā¦
Without a doubt, Israel
The only country in the middle east with a respectable human rights record, the only democracy in the middle eastā¦ The only Jewish country (despite not being a religious man myself this is important to me)
There are a LOT of people who hate Jews, Israel is a beautiful place with an amazing culture. People are welcoming, friendly (albeit boisterous, tough and loud) and itās about the only place where as a Jew who doesnāt celebrate Christmas or easter I donāt feel like a fish out of water
I would be proud to call myself an Israeli citizen, I would pledge allegiance to that flagā¦ And I have Isreali flags in my homeā¦ Not due to indoctrination from my parents or anything. Theyāve generally managed to abstain from pushing their vested political ideologies towards my brother and Iā¦ Aside from the religious stuffā¦
Israel has its problems, like the divorce lawsā¦ Disproportionately rising ultra orthodox population who are against the existence of Israel, against serving in the army etc will also cripple the IDF if/when they make up the majority populationā¦ Hence why people such as myself need to integrate within Isreali society.
Iād be reasonably happy to call myself an American citizen IF I was a permenant citizen over thereā¦ And if people over there stopped poking and prodding at me as if I was an anomaly āsay this word in Australian!ā āWhen you moved to Australia, did you come in on a ship?ā
Iām sure they were joking with the latter comments, but some legitimately appeared to think Aus was a primitive society where everyone lived akin to how the Aboriginals lived and/or with primitive technology in the outback, Iām not sure where they got that narrative from.
I felt like I didnāt belong for the first six years of living thereā¦ The seventh year I made an amazing friendā¦ Then I leftā¦
And I regret coming backā¦ Not a day goes by where I donāt regret the decision I made to come back hereā¦
Still, if an Isreali purchased an Isreali flag and defiled it Iād still think āhe/she has the right to do this with their own propertyā. Iād think the individual was an absolute fuckwit, a disgrace to Israeli society just as I think the woman in that video is a disgrace (albeit a hilarious one)ā¦ But I believe in free speech, even pertaining to narratives that I abhor barring terrorism, religious or ethnic discrimination etc.
Most Americans actually descent from Europe btw. But I fully understand (and largely agree) with your narrative.
You actively fought to preserve the principles that make up American society. What Iām asking isā¦ Would you still be proud if you thought of America through a different lens? Akin to what Iāve asked you. If you were Australian, would you be proud to be an Australian given the situation we are currently in?
Thatās the fundamental qualm I have with patriotismā¦ Is it logical to be proud of the country you were born in JUST because you were born there? Iām not sure
I think itās fair to be proud of being a citizen of a country that has fought tooth and nail to preserve individualism, democracy, freedom of speech etc. These are values I hold dear to my heartā¦ These are very important societal constructs (from my perspective), therefore I can understand being proud of Americaās heritage
BUT, and Iāve said this like six times nowā¦ If, through indoctrinationā¦ Or wokismā¦ Or whateverā¦ I saw America through a tainted lense, I donāt think Iād respect the country (but I doā¦ I want to make it VERY clear I think America is a great country)
Canada is also a fantastic countryā¦ Mexicoā¦ Ehhhā¦ Too much corruptionā¦
Yes, but the concept of patriotism can be applied to any country. We were referring to how she shouldnāt be able to do as she pleases in this context as defiling a countries flag is admittedly unpatriotic.
I bring up other countries as to extrapolate upon my ideology as to why I donāt quote understand the construct of patriotism. You think America is great, I think America is greatā¦ Others donāt, why shouldnāt they be free to voice that so long as theyāre interacting with their own property?
We are free to point a finger and laugh at them. But making such actions ILLEGAL, saying āyou CANāT do thatā
I think thatās a very slippery slope
My point wasā¦ Criticising her is validā¦ Implying she should be liable to criminal prosecution or termination seems like taking things out of proportion.
I think of it akin to Ausā¦ They started imposing criminal sanctions, punishments towards those who went against the grain of the societal status quo. That margin for punishment slowly became wider and wider over timeā¦ Now look at Australia
Itās a reallyā¦ Slipperyā¦ Slope
Yesā¦ There are flaws with my world view. Why should the Ku Klux Klan, or youth socialist factions be allowed to host meetings given the destructive consequences their world views have mediated in the past?
Becauseā¦ I donāt see a better alternative. Iād be okay with saying āokay, we will ban this and this, draw a hard line afterwardsā.
But that doesnāt seem to work out, these lines arenāt static and over time the lines we as a society draw pertaining to civil liberties seem to always erode as those up at the top take advantageā¦ Power is an aphrodisiac. Once we get away with curtailing free speech, we will continue to push the envelope until society as we knew it is a shell of its former self.
I take freedom very seriously
It started with punishing those who liked firearmsā¦ Now you canāt leave the house and protesting is illegal. See what Iām getting at
Thereās a difference between a moderate democrat and a Bernie bro
Speaking of stupidā¦ Did you see AOCās new dress. Surely that made you laugh
I donāt see a problem with admiring and standing up for noble qualities that a country tries to achieve. The US has proven itself a uplifting haven for the downtrodden/persecuted, charitable in sustaining the poor/hungry in the world, willing to shed the blood on its sons against every kind of tyrant, an exporter of morals/decency through carrying out the Christian message of loving oneās neighbor, and as a factory of inventions that have lifted the human condition. In general, we have pushed classical liberalism for good.
One can refute each point above with real world examples, but it is the selfish, immoral, or power hungry that have subverted our āboy scoutā ambitions. They should be condemned, but they are not the reason for patriotism. The lofty foundation goals and everyday man working towards them, are what we admire as patriots.
I am posting this here, not because I think Bill Maher is stupid. Actually, I am beginning to like this guy more and more. Not only is the dialogue funny as hell, but, it touches on the core problems of living with USG woke warriors, even on the range. Remember someone ratted me out that I used the term āfemaleā?
On a similar note @idaho
Societally systemic snitching over here.
This makes me laugh. Iām in absolute awe over how little of a life some must have to feel as if theyāre performing an important duty by reporting teenagers having a conversation, standing outside a McDonaldās because theyāve been isolated at home for months and months on end. 5,000$ fine for all of them that they probably canāt pay! Hurray
Either that or as a society we love pandering towards vested moral superiority āhE bRoKe tHe RuLeS! I DiDānT, iāM gReAt!ā