Rhetorical Questions

[JesusA (imported)]

Rhetorical Questions About the Great Issues of the Day:

• If a politician never changes his mind, how can we be sure he has one?

• How come the expression "family values" keeps meaning making babies, carrying guns, and cutting the taxes of rich people?

• What exactly is so immoral about cloning?

• If one argues that a fetus should have the full range of human rights, then why should it have fewer rights if it was conceived through incest or rape?

• Who is that lady whose voice is always used in political attack ads?

• How come sexist language on the American military bases awakens more annoyance than the fact that people are being sold as slaves in Sudan?

• Why do politicians feel compelled to seem dumber than voters?

• Why is it better to ban gay marriage than firearms?

• If we believe that there are significant "cultural differences" between different subgroups within a population, then why do we believe that members ought to turn up in voluntary activities in proportion to their numbers in the population?

• Why do so many people imagine that anger leads to happiness?

• Why should a course be required of a student who can pass the final exam on the first day?

• If God is both merciful and just, will he forgive Postmodernists or send them to hell?

• When eventually everything has been made illegal, will we need to have a revolution and start over again?

• How come pictures of people making love are considered dangerous to children, but pictures of people killing each other are judged harmless?

• How can it keep taking half an hour to get some place that's only five minutes away?

• Which is more driven by fads, a teeny-bopper in a mall or a professor discussing politics?

• If "intelligent design" counts as science, who counts as a monkey's uncle?

• How come boys do skateboards but girls do rollerblades?

• If almost no Americans can write a page of English that is ready for publishing without further editing, then why do we think the problem lies with the school system rather than with the conventions that govern written English?

• Why are "punitive damages" paid not to the court but to plaintiffs and their attorneys, who by definition are already adequately compensated by the basic damage award before the punitive damages are added?

• If people think American college students can't write English after 16 years in school, they why do they imagine English is appropriate for use as an international language?

• If what you have to say is persuasive, why are you shouting?

[Free to be ME (imported)]

•

If people think American college students can't write English after 16 years in school, they why do they imagine English is appropriate for use as an international language?

Depends on what you define English as.... What we speak and write is not English as it is taught in schools. What is taught is a formal set of rules set down years ago, not the actual language which has little if anything at all in common with those rules. Those rules have leave room for the Language to grow and accommodate new terminology's, words and usages of the language itself but set a formal way of thier usage. Where as what we use in everyday life is "Informal English".

The closest thing to English taught in College and high school is "Technical English" mostly used only in research papers and Tech Manuals (not the manuals you get with your car but what engineers read and use.

As far as English being the "international language" at one time it was Latin then French but new Technology and it's applications outgrew the limits of the language to change and their rather cumbersome gender rules of those tongues. English is still the fastest growing and most flexible language on the planet despite the formal rules. There are terms that no other language can describe without a long sentence that in English can be summed up and defined in one or two words. I you don't believe me take a look at multi lingual signs some time in 99% of them English is the shortest by word count.

How do I know this you ask....

I live in a international tourist area and all the warning signs are multi lingual.

Plus from my former occupation in R&D for PWA where I devolped processes and thier applications for numerous aerospace propulsion system components.

[mrt (imported)]

• If a politician never changes his mind, how can we be sure he has one?

Anyone who wants a political job is suspect. Insane, greedy or just goofy... We should elect politicians based on two things. One if they want the position they can't have it. Anyone who wants the job has to be suspect. Two random selection. Pick a phone number at random and say "Congrats! Your the mayor!" After trying this for a few years we will see how much better the system works. Trust me! BTW my phone number is unlisted so do NOT call me.....

• How come the expression "family values" keeps meaning making babies, carrying guns, and cutting the taxes of rich people?

I'm not sure it does? Cite your sources!

• What exactly is so immoral about cloning?

If you create "defective" people with built in medical issues I think its immoral. I also think its immoral to clone yourself because you want to harvest body parts. (If the close is killed or maimed in the process)

• If one argues that a fetus should have the full range of human rights, then why should it have fewer rights if it was conceived through incest or rape?

I think the argument is the basic right to live - right? For example should abortion be used as birth control? Is there a difference between abortion in the last trimester vrs the first? I think most people think its not black and white? Rape is a crime. Should a person be forced to carry a baby against her will? Is an abortion of that kid another crime? Whew.... thats difficult to answer if you ask me. Its a lot like the question of capital crime. If a man murders - should the state then "murder" him/her? We don't have the state rape a rapist. Incest goes to the built in health issues / possible crime. Very complex and not a black and white thing *I think.

I think its more of a puzzle to ponder those that are pro abortion and anti death penalty or anti abortion and pro death penalty. Me? I think a lot less death would be very nice and those that do murder need to get "life" sentences so they can't come back out and start killing again. Life = life or 300 years whichever is less...

I have a very simple acid test. If Hitler Germany was for it? I'm against it. His "government" felt that doing away with "undesireables" was a really great idea. Gays, lesbians, people with "odd" religions, anyone who said anything against the Nazis and sterilization and abortion were all suddenly very mainstream in the growing Nazi cult. I think the better question is why do people have to go overseas to adopt babies when there are so many kids of all ages in every county in the USA begging for parents to love them and take care of them?

Instead of it being an all black and white question of abortion or not why not question why its needed so much in our so called civilized society? I honestly think future generations will look back on us and say "How dumb were these primitives?"

• Who is that lady whose voice is always used in political attack ads?

Who cares! I turn off that crap as soon as I see it.

• How come sexist language on the American military bases awakens more annoyance than the fact that people are being sold as slaves in Sudan?

Insanity.... And that IS an insult to insane people...

• Why do politicians feel compelled to seem dumber than voters?

They are not. THEY ARE! Everyone I've heard is willing to say any damn stupid thing that comes into their tiny heads if it gets them votes. Reality? Science? Who cares I need to be elected so I can force my will on others....

• Why is it better to ban gay marriage than firearms?

This is easy - I think all Gay Married people should be issued firearms and given training so that they can defend themselves against crazy homophobics... Defending yourself / death in this case I'm for!

• If we believe that there are significant "cultural differences" between different subgroups within a population, then why do we believe that members ought to turn up in voluntary activities in proportion to their numbers in the population?

Huh?

• Why do so many people imagine that anger leads to happiness?

Hitlers movie where he dances around in France? Smiling winners on all star wrestling? Oh!! I know... Slim Pickens when he rides the H-Bomb down to the target!

• Why should a course be required of a student who can pass the final exam on the first day?

Ah! I can answer this one. I tested out of a years worth of school. As I was working on the second year they started handing me the bill for the full amount of the classes I was planning not to take. I argued (no soap) and then went to class feeling I had paid for them I should damn well go to them. STUPID!!! I was bored silly and at some point I got up in the middle of some mind killing class and left.

• If God is both merciful and just, will he forgive Postmodernists or send them to hell?

Only God knows....

• When eventually everything has been made illegal, will we need to have a revolution and start over again?

Move to Minnesota the state where nothing is allowed! Then.... Join the Revolution Brother Jesus!

• How come pictures of people making love are considered dangerous to children, but pictures of people killing each other are judged harmless?

The murder stuff??? Insanity... Only God knows... An insult to insane people and God.... The sex stuff? I frankly think it would be nice to not bombard little kids with sexual stuff. Let them be kids, play kick the can, baseball etc and not have everything be about sex for a while.....

• How can it keep taking half an hour to get some place that's only five minutes away?

Telecommuting is the solution. I want checks mailed to me for no apparent reason starting tomorrow...

• Which is more driven by fads, a teeny-bopper in a mall or a professor discussing politics?

Having two teenagers I vote for kids fads. More strict then Military inspections and just as dumb...

• If "intelligent design" counts as science, who counts as a monkey's uncle?

A billion monkeys all typing for a billion years will at some point type out the answer to that question. I think its 39?

• How come boys do skateboards but girls do rollerblades?

Hummm.... My oldest girls was a skateboarder AND a rollerblader. I think boys think Rollerblades are less cool. It might be the helmets and spandex???

• If almost no Americans can write a page of English that is ready for publishing without further editing, then why do we think the problem lies with the school system rather than with the conventions that govern written English?

Engrish berry hard for me... I dunno.... I define all pre collage schools as day care and so do most teachers. Thats a problem that needs to be changed or at some point the kids will revolt... I know I was revolted...

• Why are "punitive damages" paid not to the court but to plaintiffs and their attorneys, who by definition are already adequately compensated by the basic damage award before the punitive damages are added?

Lawyers and judges are often people who failed at politics. Follow the thread!

• If people think American college students can't write English after 16 years in school, they why do they imagine English is appropriate for use as an international language?

French is the language of Diplomacy... Or was that changed? Esperanto was an attempt at a universal language. Did you every try it? Ugh!

• If what you have to say is persuasive, why are you shouting?

IAMNOTSHOUTING! ITSTHEDAMNVOICESINMYHEADTRYINGTOGETOUTTTTTT!!!:)

[Paolo]

•

What exactly is so immoral about cloning?

Absolutely nothing, if done correctly.

Granted, the science is not perfect yet, and the bru-ha-ha is no doubt over the botched outcomes in trying to learn to get it right. Not that I don't believe this is already going on; you and I both know it is, probably under Area 51.

And what is wrong with using cloning to grow a new heart, pancreas, liver, etc.?

The only thing I can think of is that it will cost so much that Average Joe won't have access to it - only the preferred, upper class of Society.

As for cloning for the issue of sterility? (IF it were possible today, which it isn't.)

What's wrong with it? What's immoral about it?

You'd rather take the crap-shoot of combining some egg with a sperm and hoping the baby comes out right? I'd rather know what I'm getting in advance.

For instance, since I don't have a snowball's chance in hell of firing off a viable "Y" carrying sperm cell, I'd be thrilled to death and be the first one in line if Big Brother offered me a chance at having a clone made. In raising said child, I'd expect problems with keeping food down until age 2 or so. I'd expect allergies, to what, at what age, and know that asthma as a child was brought on by this. Ear problems? Age 4; head it off. And the list goes on...

Personally, I think there's far too much religious involvement and the belief that 'playing God' is going to offend Him.

Oh well...if He doesn't like it, then HE needs to come and DO something about it.

I could say worse, but I won't.

[DeaconBlues (imported)]

• If a politician never change

s his mind, how can we be sure he has one?

Anyone who wants a political job is suspect. Insane, greedy or just goofy... We should elect politicians based on two things. One if they want the position they can't have it. Anyone who wants the job has to be suspect. Two random selection. Pick a phone number at random and say "Congrats! Your the mayor!" After trying this for a few years we will see how much better the system works. Trust me! B

TW my phone number is unlisted so do NOT call me.....

You are exactly right on that one! As I often like to remind myself whenever I see anyone "volunteering" and so enthusiastic about doing something (especially cop wannabees and politicians who want "to serve thier community"), Jesus had twelve disciples, eleven were "drafted" into the position when he asked them to become his disciple.... but ONE wanted the job... care to guess which one "volunteered" for the job?

[devi (imported)]

The Eunuch Archives is the real place where students should be learning English composition. Going to college to learn that is just a big mistake.

[IbPervert (imported)]

• What exactly is so immoral about cloning?

Absolutely nothing, if done correctly.

If all that was done is to grow a new part then nothing morally is wrong with cloning. BUT, if one had to grow a 2nd identical body and it was self aware then it would be morally wrong to remove a body part to give to someone else.

[Paolo]

I agree, IB.

A good example of this is the movie "The Island".

I would never condone growing a full blown clone just for organ harvesting.

[DeaconBlues (imported)]

I think cloning COULD be a great new frontier for science. It COULD be used to clone a new healthy pancreas for a diabetic, regrow severed nerves for a paralized victim, it does hold out some beautiful and shining prospects.... However, I am FRIGHTENED, really scared that cloning and gene splicing technology will be something denied the masses, and available ONLY to the select few rich and powerful.

Look at the people today who do have access to the latest health care developments.... Consider the prospect of a cloned President Bush replacing the current president, or worse, a legion of Bush clones, filling in all positions of power or leadership. Are you scared of that? You should be.

[BossTamsin (imported)]

The only objections I have to cloning are objections to it's use in agribusiness. I have ethical objections to patenting life, and feel cloned plants and animals present too much of a risk for our food supply.

Cloning parts for human transplantation? Hell yeah, I'm all for that. It's one of the major medical advances I'm really anxious about.