Decius wrote:
]
] Its really affecting MemeStreams. We're all here and we're all
] posting and we know we all have different feelings about whats
] going on. We're NOT discussing. We can. The capability is
] there. The will is not. I sense that people are afraid to
] really engage this subject because they know that any engaged
] discourse is just going to devolve into bitter arguement.

Pfft. I disagree, and take offense with the statement, "The will is not." The capability *is* here, and the will, and the discussions. I've already been going back and forth with another Memestreams member about the situation. He's more on the "dove" side, and I'm more on the "hawk" side, and we've been able to present our different views while simultaneously offering respect for the opinion of the other side. And Memestreams aside, I show no hesitation to enter into debates on this matter in offline venues (and do, on pretty much a daily basis).

I think it *is* a good thing to encourage discussion, and sometimes Memestreams can be a good place for such a discussion, though more often it can be difficult to maintain a thread because Memestreams seems more focused on the capability to "discuss external links" rather than "discuss internal opinions." But for one of the main sysops of the site to post something implying that the members of this community are cowards for not discussing things to *his* satisfaction, I think is inappropriate. Let's go more for the carrot instead of the stick, hmm?

RE: Pseudo patriotism vs. American values