Now, onto another matter. I don't know you from Adam. However, common respect and courtesy for a stranger are obviously not in your posession, or at least at that particular moment when you launched your tirade about my viewpoints in this forum. I find that unacceptable. Maybe I should familiarize you with my background.
That would help, no doubt. I do try to show respect as best I can. I did go through my writing and removed a great deal of even more tactless statements before I posted. Believe it or not, that was the softer edged version. I was very angry - the whole affair in the school was distressing beyond belief. It seems every time that we think that the world has sunk to its absolute lowest it finds a new horror to unleash. But if I offended you personally (as opposed to attacking your ideology using humor, sarcasm, etc.) then I certainly apologize. Please be sure you aren't taking it personally when no personal attack was intended.
Ihave spent 1 1/2 years in maximum security prison for ADW. I was a United States Marine for 5 and a half years and server honorably in Beirut, Grenada, Haiti, Panama and several other theatres. I was airborne, scuba, ranger and pathfinder while serving with a Force Recon unit.
Thank you. The U.S. Military will always have honor in my house.
I have bare-knuckle brawled for food and for money. I was raised on the streets of Philadelphia.
How does that work, exactly?
I was a JW for many years. I also hold a Master's in CIS from Roger Williams University and hold other degrees as well. I have taught and I am currently an independent Senior level consultant, engineer and project manager for network infrastructure projects.
You've done well for yourself. Congratulations. You are a testament to the possibilities inherent in this country.
Now, does that sound like I am a care bear philospher without just cause? When was the last time someone struck you physically, or damaged your home, or injured one of your relatives, when were you last robbed, or spent any time in jail?
Haven't been hit in a while, not since I got into that fight with the high / drunk dude who was trying to rape me in the Taco Bell bathroom. Let me see, that must have been about, oh, almost a year ago.
Damaged my home? let me think... there was that time they burned my Irish flag on my porch? Does that count? They ripped my wife's stereo, they've slashed my tires (by "they" I mean whatever Urban trash are polluting my fair city) and one of "them" broke into my neighbor's apartment and held her at knifepoint, screaming racially based violent threats. Who knew the blacks hated the Asians so much? I don't have many relatives, but my schizophrenic brother did get into trouble with a hood-based loan shark for a while there. Oh yeah, the last time I was robbed. Was about two years ago. At knifepoint. On a crowded city bus. With lots of people watching, bored or amused. By a black man, twitching with drug consumption. Everyone watching was black. I was the only white boy there. I guess I was getting what I deserved, huh?
Sure, my life hasn't been Boyz 'n the Hood, but it's had its moments. Haven't been to jail yet, but I'm sure I will someday. Or maybe I'm smart enough not to get caught. Or to break the law.
Thinking it over carefully, I realize that I had a mental picture of you that was wrong - and I was posting to that picture. I have seen many people with unrealistic expectations denounce people who are genuinely doing their best as hopelessly corrupt. You probably have, too. I was basing your image on a combination of your screen name, your avatar, and the mental picture of this one twerp I used to know.
However, the manly restraint shown in your response tells me that you are more than I expected. Again, I apologize if I crossed the line between humor and ad hominem.
CZAR
