I'm PROUD to be a LEFTIST, and here's WHY!!!

[Solon]

I believe in defending democracy, wherever it is, at the top of my lungs, even if the President of said nation isn't even friendly to our president. I oppose authoritarianism wherever it is, I don't like Castro, there, I said it, for jailing journalists, etc. But at least be consistant, oppose the ONE-PARTY state of China as well, and, even though China kills their journalists, more often than not, they are the ones we trade with, not Cuba, does that make sense?

I believe in the Constitutional principle of Innocent until Proven Guilty, we do not live in France, and I much prefer our system to their's.

I believe that an HONEST account of our current and past actions means that we can learn from the atrocities of the past so that we can move beyond them, and no longer repeat them!

[FreedomAngel82]

1. Good post

It's so hypocritical of those who are going against the president of Iran when he was elected but yet they can hang out with the president of Pakistan who wasn't elected and didn't mention it. Heh heh.

[Solon]

2. My problem with Iran is that the elected officials don't have enough power

The Prime Ministers, Legislature, and President answer to the Mullahs, its a theocracy with a semblance of democracy, but Pakistan is even worst, I agree.

[mitchtv]

10. I have a tiny problem with Iran executing Gays

teenage ones at that. They are scum. I have no qualms about whatever happens to them

[Solon]

12. True, but Pakistan puts to death girls as young as 13 who are raped...

They are both equally detestable, so there you go.

[jaredt112]

3. But the last time I checked, Pakistan's president never went on the..

record advocating the destruction of another country. At least, I don't think so. If you can find me proof otherwise I will sit down and shutup.

[Don Claybrook]

4. No need to stray so far from home

We have a president who is into nation-destroying, but I'm sure you're well aware of that.

Musharraf took Pakistan in a coup, by the way.

[jaredt112]

5. I had no idea.

I don't delve a lot into Pakistan, and don't know much about it at all. Can you possibly provide links so I can read up on it?

[Bridget Burke]

8. Here's a start....

Wikipedia is not 100% accurate, but this article isn't bad. Their current ruler siezed power in a coup & Pakistan is not a pacifist state.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistan

While you're at it, read up on Iran.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran

It's a good idea to get some background to your statements.

[Solon]

7. His nation and India almost went nuclear not too long ago...

Over Kashmir, I can't believe you don't remember that.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

6. So am I. See my sig line for the reasons.

[Ksec]

9. Interesting to read the definition

free dictionary;
In politics, left-wing, the political left or simply The Left are terms that refer to the segment of the political spectrum typically associated with any of several strains of socialism or social democracy/Social liberalism. In addition it is considered the opposite of right-wing politics.

Communism, as well as the Marxist philosophy that many base it on, and most currents of traditional anarchism are often considered to be radical forms of left-wing politics. Most left-wingers however reject any association with communism or anarchism.

The term comes originally from the legislative seating arrangement during the French Revolution, when republicans who opposed the Ancien Régime were commonly referred to as leftists because they sat on the left side of successive legislative assemblies.

As this original reference became obsolete, the meaning of the term has changed as appropriate to the spectrum of ideas and stances being compared, and the point of view of the speaker. In recent times, the term almost always includes some forms of socialism, social democracy, or, in the United States, American liberalism.

Some consider it to include secularism, especially in the United States, India, the Middle East, and in many Catholic countries, while religion and left-wing politics have at times been allied historically, such as in the U.S. civil rights movement.

Peter Singer (Princeton University, Professor of Philosophy) defines "the left" as being those who place minimizing suffering above other moral imperatives, such as tradition or rights. This definition handles the formation of leftist politics and modern bioethics issues well, but is intentionally over simplified, and does not handle some historical issues, like communism, correctly.

[Solon]

11. Interesting Definition...

I do think that Peter Singer did simplify it too much though. While many on the left are Socialists, most, nowadays at least, are NOT of the variety that says "Socialism, with or without Democracy", those would be the Communists. Most, nowadays, actually prefer to work within the Democratic structures that exist in their nations, where it exists, at least. Those are the Democratic-Socialists, Social Democrats, and Anarcho-Syndicalists.