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| Minor modifications |
| 2003-04-11 |
| I've added a "Syria-Lebanon" category, since that seems to be an area that'll be picking up steam in the coming weeks and months. "Middle East" will cover Israel-Paleostine-Jordan-Egypt. I've been lumping Turkey with Europe. Somebody today put it under Central Asia, which probably covers the idea of "Greater Turkmenistan" better. Maybe change the title of the underused "Central Asia"? Any ideas? |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |
| #14 trolls remind me of Carnies, you know? "What's the other thing that scares you? Austin Powers: Carnies. Circus folk. Nomads, you know. Smell like cabbage. Small hands. ---" |
| Posted by: Frank G 2003-04-11 17:20:32 |
| #13 what's wrong with trolls , Alaska Paul ? hehe |
| Posted by: Biggus 2003-04-11 17:10:33 |
| #12 I think that the term may well fit for Stalinist groups such as ANSWER, or for some wahabist elements, but i agree it shouldnt be used for run of the mill idiots. Fifth columnists include such people as Vidkun Quisling, who betrayed Norway to the German Reich in 1940. I think that helps portray what the "Fifth Column" is all about - people willing or actively working to betray their country to another cause. I'd include people under that category who would subvert the sovereignty of the United States to the United Nations. Normal partisan politics don't belong under that category. As for the "run of the mill idiots", I'd recommend a new category - Looney Bin. A good example of posts that could go under that category are some of the ones referring to the political rantings of Jeanene Garofalo, Martin Sheen, Mike Farrell, or Michael Moore. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2003-04-11 17:07:12 |
| #11 "would advice some caution with that term. Free expression of opinion is a very American ideal, right. Calling everyone a "traitor" who doesn't agree with you is not. Be careful where you tread. I know what I'm talking about. " Ive never posted anything under fifth column. I just wanted to point out its origins. I think that the term may well fit for Stalinist groups such as ANSWER, or for some wahabist elements, but i agree it shouldnt be used for run of the mill idiots. |
| Posted by: liberalhawk 2003-04-11 16:38:35 |
| #10 I think of the Fifth Column entries as people wearing American hats and anti-American underwear. Even though they get indignant when you question their "patriotism," they still hate us, and they'd still sell us down the river of revolution without a second thought, at least not until it was all over. We do have free expression and we treasure it. That's why we can mouth off here. But so, too, did we have Alger Hiss and the Rosenbergs, and lots of people who didn't do what they did but thought what they thought and believed what they believed. So too did the FRG have 40 years worth of moles trying to undermine it. It's a delicate balance, but calling a spade a spade is a different matter from burying it. My freedom of speech includes calling them names and making fun of them, just like their freedom of speech includes the liberty of denigrating things I believe in. |
| Posted by: Fred 2003-04-11 16:16:26 |
| #9 I would advice some caution with that term. Free expression of opinion is a very American ideal, right. Calling everyone a "traitor" who doesn't agree with you is not. Be careful where you tread. I know what I'm talking about. |
| Posted by: True German Ally 2003-04-11 15:39:33 |
| #8 Ah! Thanks all, for the clarification. |
| Posted by: Tadderly 2003-04-11 15:30:42 |
| #7 "Fifth Column" is for anti-Americans (and anti-British) - people like Michael Moore, most of the people who write for The Nation, Professor de Genova, that sort of people. By rights, Nancy Pelosi should be under Home Front, since she's a part of the government, even though a fairly fragrant part. Reverend Al fits under Fifth Column most of the time, Charlie Rangel under Home Front. Kind of a fine distinction sometimes... |
| Posted by: Fred 2003-04-11 15:02:59 |
| #6 5th column means internal enemies, traitors. During Spanish Civil War, when loyalists still held Madrid, it was said the Francoists has four columns closing on the city, and a "fifth column" within in the city |
| Posted by: liberalhawk 2003-04-11 15:02:13 |
| #5 'Fifth Column' represents civilian conspirateurs...dates from the Spanish Civil War... |
| Posted by: CrazyCanuck 2003-04-11 15:01:32 |
| #4 How about "Future Kurdistan"? That'll be nice and non-controversial... heh, heh |
| Posted by: mjh 2003-04-11 14:56:50 |
| #3 Fred - I have a question: What is "Fifth Column" supposed to represent? I've seen articles of many types under that heading. |
| Posted by: Tadderly 2003-04-11 14:55:39 |
| #2 Troll Town |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2003-04-11 14:55:36 |
| #1 Let's call it Muratistan. |
| Posted by: Raj 2003-04-11 14:53:17 |