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Title: Clearwater Grandma Not “Lovin’ It” (Rookie cop suffers waiting in line hysteria)
Source:
www.northcountrygazette.org
URL Source: http://www.northcountrygazette.org/news/2008/01/19/not_lovin_it/
Published: Jan 21, 2008
Author: staff
Post Date: 2008-01-21 11:54:18 by Ferret Mike
Keywords: None
Views: 1014
Comments: 47
CLEARWATER, FLA—They say there’s a first time for everything but when Jean Merola, a 75-year-old grandmother and widow went to McDonald’s Thursday for her afternoon regimen of a decaf coffee and fries, she didn’t expect to be arrested by the Clearwater Police Department. Merola, who’s never been arrested, wasn’t lovin’ it, sitting in the Pinellas County Jail after being handcuffed and charged with disorderly conduct by a police officer in line behind her at a Clearwater McDonald’s which is a short distance from her home. The grandmother of eight drove her Lincoln Town car to the drive-thru window about 4 p.m. Thursday and ordered a decaf coffee and medium fries, hold the salt. In that saltless fries are a “special order”, she was told to pull ahead to an area of the parking lot where customers wait if their orders take a few minutes to prepare. It still hasn’t been disclosed why Clearwater Police Officer Matthew Parco, 30, was behind Merola but as she sat in her car waiting for her fries, she heard a car horn being repeatedly sounded behind her. When she looked around, she saw the police cruiser and an officer waving his arms, apparently wanting her to move her car. Next comes an issue of probable cause as Parco, obviously irritated with Merola when didn’t budge, got out of his patrol car, walked up to the driver’s side of her car and asked for her registration and license. By this time, Merola was agitated too and told the rookie cop, on the job for about a year, that she hadn’t done anything wrong and wasn’t producing anything. From there it went downhill and the officer’s report of the incident differs from Merola’s version. She says he argued with her about where she was parked and she shot back that she was parked where the McDonald’s staff had told her to park to await her order. His report says her car was blocking people in line behind her and that he asked her to move her car ahead. She says that she doesn’t recall that and if anyone was blocking the line, it was him. She says she couldn’t have moved ahead because there was a curb in front of her. Could this woman that’s waiting for her fries, parking in a designated area of the parking lot be demented? That’s what Parco told his supervisor who he called in Merola’s earshot and told that he thought Merola needed to be committed under the state’s Baker Act. With that, Merola became offended and exercised her First Amendment rights and free speech, calling the cop a “brat”, a “smart ass” and a “dumb “s—t”. Not to be dissed by a gray haired woman, Parco used his uniform and seemingly engaged in an abuse of power that has become all too prevalent across the county, Parco placed Merola under arrest for misdemeanor disorderly conduct, cuffed the elderly woman behind her back and placed her in the back of his patrol car, transporting her to jail. Her car was impounded, costing her $160 and she says she sustained injuries to her shoulders and neck from being handcuffed for about an hourShe says that while she respects police officers and brought her children up to respect the police that she doesn’t feel that Parco deserved her respect and that he hadn’t acted like a police officer should. Similar unconstitutional arrests being made such as the Pennsylvania woman busted for swearing at her overflowing toilet and the man charged for writing an expressive opinion on his check paying a parking ticket fine have been shot down. http://www.northcountrygazette.org/news/2008/01/13/vulgar_check/ The Pennsylvania Superior Court has ruled that the “offense of disorderly conduct is not intended as a catchall for every act which annoys or disturbs people; it is not to be used as a dragnet for all the irritations which breed in the ferment of a community”. The First Amendment would be applicable in Clearwater too. Merola was searched, fingerprinted and had her mug shot taken at the jail where she was held for several hours until she was released to her daughter and son-in-law. The Clearwater mayor has reportedly called Merola and apologized, saying the incident shouldn’t have happened and is being investigated. Perhaps if Merola sues for her unconstitutional arrest, the Clearwater PD isn’t going to be lovin’ it either. 1-19-08
Poster Comment: Oink oink. Do you want to super size the emerging police state? Do you want ketchup with it?
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#1. To: Ferret Mike (#0)
Cop definition... A person with a big badge, big gun and a bigger ego.
Join the Ron Paul Revolution If you want to read something real scary, check out the posts of "Bush Fan" on LP. Wow. I donj't think it would be possible to crawl any further up the ass of government than this guy. http://www.libertypost.org/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=213732&Disp=12#C12
Hizzoner is scared because he knows this rookie thug with a badge just set them up to make a big payday to granny and the publicity is not going to be very complimentary. Methinks the rookie is going to be doing the metaphorical equivalent of "Walking a Beat on the Southside" - if he still has a job (which he shouldn't but they seem to like these kinds of thugs in modern PD's). I sure hope she does. Big time!
"The difference between an honorable man and a moral man is that an honorable man regrets a discreditable act even when it has worked and he is in no danger of being caught." ~ H. L. Mencken
I'm familiar with him from way back. He used to post at a lot of different sites as "Bush Admirer". The schtick is the same. He regurgitates propaganda lines. I suspect he is employed by some government agency or is a resident in a mental hospital or both.
"The difference between an honorable man and a moral man is that an honorable man regrets a discreditable act even when it has worked and he is in no danger of being caught." ~ H. L. Mencken
I saw that. That poster actually makes my skin crawl reading him. Something is just not right with that boy. The first time I saw that account name of his, I had a real good idea that here was a candidate for really inspired idiocy, and so far I can see I was right on the money with that take on him. The real joke is that his precious little Bush would send him off to a FEMA camp just as quickly as anyone else. There is no honor among thieves, especially if those thieves are stealing Constitutional rights from people.
Mike lay off the cops, OK? If you have nothing to hide, do as you're told and shut your pie hole. Sure this is about an order of Freedom Fries at Mickey Dees, but such conduct could easily spread to Wendy's, Burger King, TGIFs, get the picture? It's nip it in the bud time baby......
Oh my God, I just realized something, this is Clearwater Florida, home of Scientology HQ. The police department here has been bought off by that abusive cult and officers regularly work for the 'church,' dismissed a case where Scientology members definately broke into police and FBI offices, and haqrrass anyone going there doing fact finding on that cult. This suddenly got allot more interesting to me. Cut Officer Parco some slack. Granny was obviously obstructing a drive-thru lane police chase.
Republicans (Democrats for that matter) ....... HAD ENOUGH?
The web site you linked to is a disinformation site. The clown who runs it is most likely a CoIntelPro operator. He launches psycho rants against other religions as well but his pet psychoses seems to be a fixation on Scientology. The goobermunt hates the Scientologists because they have, on multiple occasions exposed various acts of corruption and were the first to blow a whistle on Mind Control programs back in the 1950's. The problem with "Debunker" types is that they have a habit of being rabid attackers with a lot of speculation, tenuous and unproved links, and general hate. Oh, and what do they have to do with a Granny being falsely arrested by a low I.Q. thug with a badge? Methinks you were trying to forge a link where there is none in order to post an attack piece against someone else. Why would you engage in that kind of a dishonest disinformation tactic?
"The difference between an honorable man and a moral man is that an honorable man regrets a discreditable act even when it has worked and he is in no danger of being caught." ~ H. L. Mencken
Methinks you were trying to forge a link where there is none in order to post an attack piece against someone else." I have watched video of cops not doing their job in relation to the struggle to deal with this abusive cult in that city. I am merely curious if there is a connection in some manner. I merely expressed surprise at realizing where this is, and what has gone on before there. As for the website, it deals with an investigation by a newspaper the cult bugged and did information gathering break-ins of, like they are known to usually do. You should check this out, it is an interesting story, much bigger then this one.
She should sue. The cop here should be fired and arrested himself for abusing his power.
God is always good!
It's not really a subject that interests me all that much. From what I have read. and from personal friends who are Scientologists, the closest analog to Scientology is Buddhism and the viewpoint seems to be very similar in some respects. Scientology was one of Hoover's pet peeves and were subject to CoIntelPro attacks and smears planted by the FBI, IRS, (which was proved via Government Documents gotten via standard means i.e., FOIA requests) and InterPol (which they blew the whistle on by pointing out that it was run by refugees from the Third Reich - also well documented). they have been under intense scrutiny since the 1950's without any of their detractors being able substantiate anything other than they don't like them and that they are not afraid to fight back against those who attack them. Oh, and they have been very successful at fighting back - that seems to gall their detractors even more. As well, via Operation Mockingbird, and CoIntelPro, it has been shown over and over again how the media is controlled to plant stories that attack any given group or individual who is in the crosshairs. One news story in one newspaper unsubstantiated by anything more than hearsay and innuendo is not credible. However, it is not a subject I really care to spend a lot of time on. Just dig into CoIntelPro (which I am interested in) and who was targeted and things begin to become a little clearer. And again I ask what does this have to do with a rookie Cop throwing a temper tantrum and abusing his badge? I would think the facts here are really quite clear - some brat with a badge had a bad hair day and when confronted by a 75 year old grey haired Granny who wasn't going to lick his boots he had a hissy fit.
"The difference between an honorable man and a moral man is that an honorable man regrets a discreditable act even when it has worked and he is in no danger of being caught." ~ H. L. Mencken
I'm pretty certain "Bush Fan" is doing a send-up of any 'Bush fan.' The schtick is just too good to be true.
The question here is why the cop thought it was part of his job description to direct traffic on private property. He wasn't called by McD's to undo a traffic jam. McDonald's could have a piece of the guy also, for harassing its customers.
Clearwater residents should bail out while they can.
Join the Ron Paul Revolution Whoa! You mean Buddhists believe in "thetans", "Xenu" and that billions of souls were brought here in spacecraft that looked like DC-8 airplanes, stacked up around volcanos by the "Galactic Confederacy" 75 million years ago, and then blown up with hydrogen bombs? Then, afterwards, the now disembodied souls were sucked up into a "standing wave electronic ribbon" and taken to a sort of "3-D motion picture theater" and shown movies about God, the Devil and Jesus for 36 days? Wow. Whaddya know. Learn something new every day.
#2. To: Ferret Mike (#0)
cops gone wild bump
Freedom*Peace*Prosperity
#3. To: Ferret Mike (#0)
#4. To: Ferret Mike, IndieTX (#0)
The Clearwater mayor has reportedly called Merola and apologized, saying the incident shouldn’t have happened and is being investigated.
Perhaps if Merola sues for her unconstitutional arrest, the Clearwater PD isn’t going to be lovin’ it either.
#5. To: Hayek Fan (#3)
Perhaps if Merola sues for her unconstitutional arrest, the Clearwater PD isn’t going to be lovin’ it either.
#6. To: Hayek Fan (#3)
#7. To: Ferret Mike (#0)
(Edited)
#8. To: Original_Intent, Lodwick (#5)
#9. To: Ferret Mike (#0)
When she looked around, she saw the police cruiser and an officer waving his arms, apparently wanting her to move her car.
#10. To: Ferret Mike (#8)
#11. To: Original_Intent (#10)
"Oh, and what do they have to do with a Granny being falsely arrested by a low I.Q. thug with a badge?
#12. To: Ferret Mike (#0)
(Edited)
Perhaps if Merola sues for her unconstitutional arrest, the Clearwater PD isn’t going to be lovin’ it either. 1-19-08
#13. To: Ferret Mike (#11)
#14. To: Hayek Fan (#3)
If you want to read something real scary, check out the posts of "Bush Fan" on LP.
#15. To: Ferret Mike (#0)
#16. To: Ferret Mike (#8)
Thanks for the linkage.
Freedom*Peace*Prosperity
#17. To: Original_Intent (#13)
From what I have read. and from personal friends who are Scientologists, the closest analog to Scientology is Buddhism and the viewpoint seems to be very similar in some respects.
 | Gold and silver are REAL money, paper is but a promise. |
#18. To: iconoclast (#9)
You know.. I would have never thought about that.. Granny was bad.. Bad Granny!
Granny was obviously obstructing a drive-thru lane police chase.
#19. To: Elliott Jackalope (#17) (Edited)
Anyone can charicature anyone else's beliefs. For example: Christians engage in "Ritual Cannibalism" by believing that the Communion Wafer magically transforms into the flesh of Jesus, and that the Wine becomes human blood. Jews make Ritual Matzohs with the blood of non-Jewish Babies. Shintoists believe than only Japanese are descendents of God and that the Emperor is his divine descendent and that all non-Japanese are inferior beings. Anyone can distort someone else's beliefs and it seems to be a frequent practice. Philosophy has long been an interest of mine and so I have read a lot of different viewpoints and beliefs. One thing I have learned in my studies is that religion in some form is a common element of all human cultures, and that the belief that there is more to existence than the gross materiality proclaimed by some runs back through human cultures into the mists of time. The more I learn the more tolerant I become of the beliefs of others and the more I am comfortable with people holding views different from my own. Personally, I believe in freedom of thought, belief, association and that people are free to participate in or not in any belief as long as it is not imposed by force. As a Libertarian I see it as none of my business what someone else believes and I do not go to psychotic lengths to attack the beliefs of others. Live and let live. I still find it amusing how people who don't like Scientologists will hijack threads and use anything as excuse to attack them. Here I thought the article at the beginning of the thread was all about a pinhead cop with an attitude who abused his badge to take out his pique on a 75 year old Grandma getting a cup of coffee and an order of Fries. Silly me.
"The difference between an honorable man and a moral man is that an honorable man regrets a discreditable act even when it has worked and he is in no danger of being caught." ~ H. L. Mencken
#20. To: Refinersfire, iconoclast (#18)
You know.. I would have never thought about that.. Granny was bad.. Bad Granny! Yes, how dare this old witch interrupt an Officer in the Performance of his Granny was obviously obstructing a drive-thru lane police chase.
unauthorized snack break duties. She deserves to be Tasered without mercy. " It still hasn’t been disclosed why Clearwater Police Officer Matthew Parco, 30, was behind Merola but as she sat in her car waiting for her fries, ..."
"The difference between an honorable man and a moral man is that an honorable man regrets a discreditable act even when it has worked and he is in no danger of being caught." ~ H. L. Mencken
#21. To: lodwick (#16)
You couldn't pay me to live in that city. I have had job offers from Clearwater but have turned them down becasue of what they did to Terri there.
Clearwater residents should bail out while they can.
God is always good!
#22. To: RickyJ. the thread (#21)
They should consider testing the local water, or air, or whatever is making them crazy...
I have had job offers from Clearwater but have turned them down because of what they did to Terri there.
Join the Ron Paul Revolution
Freedom*Peace*Prosperity
#23. To: Ferret Mike (#8) (Edited)
This suddenly got allot more interesting to me. Scientology's Assault on Clearwater Florida Clearwater is also where they put Terri Schiavo to death for being less than perfect, a major steppingstone for the elites' plan to cull the herd of useless eaters. I checked out your Scientology link only briefly. One website that has written much on this subject is this one http://libertytothecaptives.net/...ri_schindler_schiavo.html , and the website owner believes Scientology to be a major link in the move to kill Terri. "....One of Scientology's major goals is to change society's views about death, dying, and those L. Ron Hubbard considered to be "past the half-way point": the disabled......" Scientology, The Clearwater Bar Association, and Judge Greer www.libertytothecaptives....ociation_judge_greer.html I immediately linked Clearwater to the Schiavo case, and the mention of the BAKER ACT curled my hair. Could this woman that’s waiting for her fries, parking in a designated area of the parking lot be demented? That’s what Parco told his supervisor who he called in Merola’s earshot and told that he thought Merola needed to be committed under the state’s Baker Act. "THE BAKER ACT The Baker Act is a state law that allows a law enforcement officer, or, if they have a court order, a medical professional or private individual to involuntarily place a person in a specialized mental health center to see if that person poses a threat to himself or someone else. The center can hold the person for up to 72 hours while a psychiatric evaluation is done. If the person is no longer a danger, they must be released within the 72 hours. If the center thinks the person needs treatment, it can suggest the person be voluntarily commited to the center or it can petition the court for involuntary placement. The center has the right to keep the person until the court hearing, which must take place within five days." [edit....somehow the following got left off my previous post]: The potential for some serious hanky-panky occurring with this power, particularly in the hands of the multitudes of Clearwater types complicit in the murder of Terr Schiavo, is something I researched several years ago, and the mention of that Act still sends shivers down my spine, particularly in light of the current gestapo mindset at the federal level. They have set up a system in Florida whereby people's cases could be adjudicated quietly and without fanfare by a handful of unethical people with nothing but the disposition of a person's worldly goods uppermost in their minds. I hope this grandma has a very vocal circle of family and friends....pity those who do not and who could so easily be disappeared into the 'system'. Wouldn't be surprised if the cops get a kick-back. more.... one of the "centers" operating as a Baker Act receiving facility is Morton Plant Hospital, which had a hand in the murder of Terri. www.webenet.com/receivingfacilities.htm ==============================
Oh my God, I just realized something, this is Clearwater Florida, home of Scientology HQ. The police department here has been bought off by that abusive cult and officers regularly work for the 'church,' dismissed a case where Scientology members definately broke into police and FBI offices, and haqrrass anyone going there doing fact finding on that cult.
President Wilson signed the Federal Reserve Act on December 23, 1913. History proved that on that day, the Constitution ceased to be the governing covenant of the American people, and our liberties were handed over to a small group of international bankers. - Secrets of the Federal Reserve by Eustace Mullins
#24. To: Old Fud (#15)
McDonald's could have a piece of the guy also, for harassing its customers. That was my thought, too. McDonald's has a Masonic link, and being in Clearwater makes this one doubly suspect imo. I wonder why they haven't had anything to say about this travesty on their property...or have they?
The question here is why the cop thought it was part of his job description to direct traffic on private property. He wasn't called by McD's to undo a traffic jam.
President Wilson signed the Federal Reserve Act on December 23, 1913. History proved that on that day, the Constitution ceased to be the governing covenant of the American people, and our liberties were handed over to a small group of international bankers. - Secrets of the Federal Reserve by Eustace Mullins
#25. To: RickyJ (#21)
You couldn't pay me to live in that city. I have had job offers from Clearwater but have turned them down becasue of what they did to Terri there. #23 evil Clearwater bump.
Clearwater residents should bail out while they can.
President Wilson signed the Federal Reserve Act on December 23, 1913. History proved that on that day, the Constitution ceased to be the governing covenant of the American people, and our liberties were handed over to a small group of international bankers. - Secrets of the Federal Reserve by Eustace Mullins
#26. To: Original_Intent (#4) (Edited)
Methinks the rookie is going to be doing the metaphorical equivalent of "Walking a Beat on the Southside" - if he still has a job (which he shouldn't but they seem to like these kinds of thugs in modern PD's). Exactly. The woman is going to get a lot of money, the cop will probably be fired, and if not, will be a laughingstock for the rest of his life, including from his fellow officers, who aren't going to be backing him up much anyone.
Hizzoner is scared because he knows this rookie thug with a badge just set them up to make a big payday to granny and the publicity is not going to be very complimentary.
Kittens aren't biscuits just because a cat gives birth in an oven.
#27. To: YertleTurtle (#26)
Exactly. The woman is going to get a lot of money, the cop will probably be fired, and if not, will be a laughingstock for the rest of his life, including from his fellow officers, who aren't going to be backing him up much anyone. I make it about "even money" whether he'll actually get sacked, but this is creating such a big PR mess for the city that it is likely that he's awfully close to it. My guess is that the city will settle out of court and pay her to "go away".
"The difference between an honorable man and a moral man is that an honorable man regrets a discreditable act even when it has worked and he is in no danger of being caught." ~ H. L. Mencken
#28. To: Elliott Jackalope, Original_Intent (#17)
Whoa! You mean Buddhists believe in "thetans", "Xenu" and that billions of souls were brought here in spacecraft that looked like DC-8 airplanes, stacked up around volcanos by the "Galactic Confederacy" 75 million years ago, and then blown up with hydrogen bombs? LOL As often attributed to Chesterton: “When men stop believing in God, they don’t believe in nothing. They believe in anything.”
From what I have read. and from personal friends who are Scientologists, the closest analog to Scientology is Buddhism and the viewpoint seems to be very similar in some respects.
Republicans (Democrats for that matter) ....... HAD ENOUGH?
#29. To: Cynicom (#1) (Edited)
A person with a big badge, big gun and a bigger ego. People who think that cops are assholes should meet some FBI agents. Talk about ego. Most cops that I've met are decent guys (unless they're punk rookies trying to prove how tough they are to themselves and their superiors), but I can't say I've ever met an FBI agent who I could stand.
Cop definition...
#30. To: Rupert_Pupkin (#29)
In the past while working for the government I worked with both and you are correct. We finally just ignored the FBI. Gave them nothing.
People who think that cops are assholes should meet some FBI agents. Talk about ego.
#31. To: Original_Intent (#19)
Do you believe those little multi-vitamin pills contain all those vitamins? Well, you have faith in science ... so do I. Do I believe that that transubstantiated little wafer has only the outward form of a wafer? Yes, because I have faith in Jesus Christ and His Church. It is my "cosmic" vitamin pill. Shame on you.
Christians engage in "Ritual Cannibalism" by believing that the Communion Wafer magically transforms into the flesh of Jesus, and that the Wine becomes human blood.
Republicans (Democrats for that matter) ....... HAD ENOUGH?
#32. To: Ferret Mike (#0)
Good think Granny didn't produce a .44 auto mag and pop him. He sure deserved it.
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition "Corporation: An entity created for the legal protection of its human parasites, whose sole purpose is profit and self-perpetuation." © IndieTx 
"There is no 'legitimate' Corporation by virtue of it's very legal definition and purpose."
-- IndieTx
#33. To: Original_Intent, iconoclast, FOH (#19)
Those who make a career out of opposing defamation would be proud of this remark, but I think it's beside the point. In a truly free society, we are and should be as aggressive as we think necessary in castigating vile, poisonous ideas. It should be encouraged. Without it, we find ourselves increasingly at the mercy of those who control information. I think 4 is the last place online where empty words in defense of multiculturalism should go unremarked. In a nut shell, you've just crossed over the "it's a religion of peace" line. It's not. Don't kid yourself.
The more I learn the more tolerant I become of the beliefs of others and the more I am comfortable with people holding views different from my own.
#34. To: buckeye (#33)
I've seen and lived through so much vile, unvarnished evil in my lifetime already that quite frankly...I'm wondering at times if there even remains any more political answers. There might not a whole lot past Ron Paul supporters which can be redeemed (I sometimes find myself saying...).
Our last hope for peace
What North American Union? ~~~~~ Have you seen THIS yet? Pass it around...
#35. To: buckeye (#33)
Libertarians are welcome to camp under the conservative tent as far as I'm concerned. If the leftwing can put up with socialists and communists I guess we can live with anarchists. ;-)
Don't kid yourself.
Republicans (Democrats for that matter) ....... HAD ENOUGH?
#36. To: Original_Intent, FOH (#35)
Ooops ........ should have included you two at #35.
Republicans (Democrats for that matter) ....... HAD ENOUGH?
#37. To: buckeye, christine, TwentyTwelve, Wudidiz (#33) (Edited)
Those who make a career out of opposing defamation would be proud of this remark, but I think it's beside the point. In a truly free society, we are and should be as aggressive as we think necessary in castigating vile, poisonous ideas. It should be encouraged. Without it, we find ourselves increasingly at the mercy of those who control information. I think 4 is the last place online where empty words in defense of multiculturalism should go unremarked. In a nut shell, you've just crossed over the "it's a religion of peace" line. It's not. Don't kid yourself. Given that your argument largely amounts to little more than a thinly veiled personal attack I am inclined to note that point and move on ignoring it. However, since it is an important moral, ethical, and philosophic issue I am going to take a few moments to demonstrate that point and why it is not only ill founded but nothing more than an intolerant smear attempt. This idea of tolerance, not necessarily acceptance, of others rights to believe as they choose, is not a new concept and it is not multiculturalism. The English Philosopher John Locke wrote an interesting ditty called "A Letter Concerning Toleration". The backdrop was the English Civil Wars, which were conducted against the backdrop of the Protestant Reformation, - Oliver Cromwell had come and gone and his Protestant "Round Heads" with him. The vile epithets exchanged between Catholic and Protestant still exist yet today. His plea, with some success, was for tolerance of the right of others to choose to cleave to a different point of view - freedom of thought and conscience. Multiculturalism is not toleration but the attempt to establish a moral and intellectual equivalence between all beliefs and all points of view. In other words that the "multiculturalists" attempt to assert that all beliefs, regardless of what their written doctrines and practitioners state, are equivalent and equal and that everything equals everything - the computation of a psychotic. Taking it a step further "Multiculturalism" is nothing less than the assertion that Satanism is no Different from Christianity or Buddhism or any of the other great religions by which man lives. "Ye may know them by their fruits." However, true toleration also requires intellectual honesty and mutual respect and thus if one actually attempts to practice tolerance then one accepts that others not only have the freedom to believe as they wish but the right to do so unmolested or attacked unjustly. Thus it should be clear to the discerning that the honorable and tolerant course is to refrain from ridiculing unfairly and unjustly beliefs one knows of only by hearsay and innuendo. You know the kind of thought - "them", "those people", "that group" - they dress funny, they smell bad, and their mothers all wear "Combat Boots". These echoes of the poison of intolerance yielded hard won lessons and is why John Locke had such a strong influence on the founding fathers. Jefferson in particular quoted Locke and based some of his own views upon Locke's reasoning. Toleration is not “Multiculturalism” and to assert such is flat out dishonest or a view founded upon ignorance and bigotry. So, it is not a large jump to point out than in a free society that toleration is critical for people of disparate viewpoints to work together in peace and as brothers and sisters regardless of their personally held view of the world and existence. So, I reject the intolerance you project as both divisive and counter productive. I also reject the bigoted attacks of others beliefs based upon hearsay, distortion, and innuendo made by people operating from a covert fear or hatred of others for the crime of having a different belief system. Of course such attacks upon the freedom of thought and conscience may as well stem from darker motivations. It requires little wit or intellect to criticize, pick at, deride, mock, and pillory the beliefs of others if one is willing to be intellectually dishonest. Nothing new there eh? It requires a higher ethically sensibility from refraining from such sniping and to accept that others do have the right in a free society to believe differently so long as those beliefs are not imposed upon others by force. Multiculturalism and tolerance are not the same thing and it is intellectually dishonest of you to assert such. I am tempted to close by suggesting a destination for your comment but I will practice the tolerance I preach by refraining from doing so.
The more I learn the more tolerant I become of the beliefs of others and the more I am comfortable with people holding views different from my own.
"The difference between an honorable man and a moral man is that an honorable man regrets a discreditable act even when it has worked and he is in no danger of being caught." ~ H. L. Mencken
#38. To: iconoclast, buckeye (#35)
Libertarians are welcome to camp under the conservative tent as far as I'm concerned. If the leftwing can put up with socialists and communists I guess we can live with anarchists. ;-) I have had fun arguing with the anarchists - I am what they call a "minarchist" - one who believes in the need for a minimal government held tightly in check by a strong and vigorously enforced Constitution. The difference is the normal human impulse to organize and bring order and too much of a good thing. In other words a traditional liberal in the sense that Jefferson was a liberal. Unfortunately in the newspeak of the left liberal has been shorn of its original meaning and shoveled full of socialism and communism.
Don't kid yourself.
"The difference between an honorable man and a moral man is that an honorable man regrets a discreditable act even when it has worked and he is in no danger of being caught." ~ H. L. Mencken
#39. To: Original_Intent, Ferret Mike (#13)
Then your friends have fooled you well OI. Ron Hubbard was a satanist (according to his own son), and attempted to invoke the "Whore of Babylon" by a Magickal Working in concert with Jack Parsons, a co-founder of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. They both were followers of Aleister Crowley, who named himself the "Beast 666".
From what I have read. and from personal friends who are Scientologists, the closest analog to Scientology is Buddhism and the viewpoint seems to be very similar in some respects.
You appear to be a major trouble maker...and I'm getting really pissed. - GoldiLox, 7/27/2006
#40. To: FormerLurker (#39)
And Ron Paul is a Neo-Nazi. Anyone can plant innuendoes and make connections from tenuous linkages. In that way anyone can be smeared and a false impression created. Don't you know that Ron Paul used to dine at a Thai Restaurant with Neo-Nazi White supremicists? Of course it was a different day of the week and a different restaurant but that's just irrelevant details. I judge people based on their works and actions not on what their detractors say about them. I could form my view of Catholicism from ex-catholics, Jehovah's Witnesses, or some of the more extreme sects of Fundamentalist Protestantism or their apostates, or I can look at their actions and read the source materials upon which their beliefs are founded. As well the same smear can be, and has been, applied to Buddhism, Hinduism, or any other system of belief. Character assassination by planted smears is an old tactic used by Intelligence agencies to attack people whose actual observed actions are beyond reproach. "Ye shall know them by their fruits." Are the fruits good or ill? As is always the case I judge based upon actual observed data not innuendo.
"The difference between an honorable man and a moral man is that an honorable man regrets a discreditable act even when it has worked and he is in no danger of being caught." ~ H. L. Mencken
#41. To: Original_Intent (#40)
There is no evidence of that. There is PLENTY of evidence concerning Hubbard however. Would you like some links? Look up "JPL Parsons Babalon". Look up "Penthouse interview with Ron Hubbard Jr.". Do you view Aleister Crowley as a decent sort of guy?
And Ron Paul is a Neo-Nazi
You appear to be a major trouble maker...and I'm getting really pissed. - GoldiLox, 7/27/2006
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