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| Mom and Dad, at the St. George Utah Temple |
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| My mom and her Parents on the left, and my dad and his parents on the left |
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| I was the ring boy for my sister's wedding. |
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| Megan and I |
Mawage is what bwings us together
The prevention of a nuclear catastrophe akin to 9/11 is paramount.
- A nuclear 9/11 could result in fatalities on a far greater scale.
- Pragmatically, some sacrifices may be necessary to ensure safety. We can debate the extent of those sacrifices, particularly in terms of privacy.
- Attacking citizens is a cowardly act.
- Reasons that Muslims should agree: For the global Muslim community: a nuclear 9/11 won't achieve the results some might anticipate. It wouldn't lead to a withdrawal of America or Western culture. Instead, it could provoke an even stronger response. A nuclear 9-11 would not cause America to withdraw from the world stage. We would destroy any country that has people in it that smiled on the day that America was attacked, the rest of the world would support us in any vengeance that we wanted, and our culture would not be the one that would go up in flames afterward. A nuclear 9-11 would not stop the spread of Western culture. A nuclear 9-11 would not stop the spread of women's rights or gay rights. A nuclear 9-11 would not stop the spread of democracy. A nuclear 9-11 would not accomplish any of the goals of the Muslim community.
- Countries don't need nuclear weapons as a deterrent. We will prevent one country from invading another country. Iran doesn't need to obtain them. A nuclear weapon would make them less secure, not more secure.
- While we lack examples, our platform will encourage robust discourse once fully developed. Users can challenge various arguments, further dissecting these discussions by categorizing similarities, identifying logical fallacies, and uncovering unstated assumptions. As we evaluate each statement based on its relevance, truthfulness, verifiability, logical soundness, and importance, collective and artificial intelligence will help us maintain a score-based system. This approach ensures that weaker arguments naturally fall by the wayside over time rather than being prematurely dismissed. Embracing diverse perspectives is crucial for effective dialogue.
The interest of those who agree:
- Environmental preservation.
- Humanity's wellbeing.
- Prevention of human suffering.
- Halting the potential cycle of violence that could ensue if America were to seek retribution.
- Mitigating the fear of terrorist attacks.
The interest of those who disagree:
- Freedom from expansive government surveillance, particularly those resisting the CIA and FBI's powers.
- Autonomy from international pressures and constraints on their national security decisions for countries like Iran seeking nuclear capabilities.
- Addressing perceived grievances applicable to individuals who may wish harm upon America.
- Resistance to the global dissemination of Western culture, particularly amongst individuals who believe a significant attack on America would prompt its withdrawal from the world stage.
- Opposition to the spread of women's rights, sexual freedom, divorce rights, and LGBTQ+ rights, particularly among individuals who believe an attack on America would halt the global progression of these freedoms.
- Fear of aggression from other nations, particularly if they lack a substantial deterrent like nuclear weaponry.
- Revenge for perceived wrongs from religious Muslims who want a nuclear 9-11 in America
- Stopping the spread of Western Culture, from religious Muslims who want a nuclear 9-11 in America and think a nuclear 9-11 would cause America to withdraw from the world stage.
- Stopping the spread of women's rights, from religious Muslims who want a nuclear 9-11 in America and think a nuclear 9-11 would cause America to withdraw from the world stage.
- Stopping the spread of sexual freedom from religious Muslims who want a nuclear 9-11 in America and think a nuclear 9-11 would cause America to withdraw from the world stage.
- Stopping the spread of the right to divorce from religious Muslims who want a nuclear 9-11 in America and think a nuclear 9-11 would cause America to withdraw from the world stage.
- Stopping the spread of homosexual rights from religious Muslims who want a nuclear 9-11 in America and think a nuclear 9-11 would cause America to withdraw from the world stage.
- Fear that someone would attack if they don't have a bomb to scare them away.
- Protecting innocent lives.
- Preventing injustice.
- Concern over potential escalation or unforeseen consequences of actions.
- The propagation of American cultural values and practices.
- The dissemination of Islamic cultural values and practices.
- National pride and self-determination.
- Perspectives on morality and what is considered "sinful."
- A sense of equity or parity, akin to the sentiment of "keeping up with the Joneses" in national security matters.
We should take Ahmadinejad at his word
We should take Ahmadinejad at his word.
Reasons to agree:
- No one took Hitler seriously, but he tried to do all the crazy stuff he said he would, about trying to kill all the Jews, and take over the world.
- Thursday, August 3, 2006 Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the solution to the Middle East crisis is to destroy Israel (The Associated Press, By SEAN YOONG).
- "It is no longer acceptable that a small minority would dominate the politics, economy and culture of major parts of the world by its complicated networks, and establish a new form of slavery, and harm the reputation of other nations, even European nations and the U.S., to attain its racist ambitions, (Speech at UN by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, 24/09/2009)
- Ahmadinejad denied the murder of 6 million Jews. This is serious stuff.
- Ahmadinejad's speeches are a cry for truth from a Holocaust denier, a cry for democracy from a leader who shoots freedom seeking protestors, and a cry for peace from the word's biggest sponsor of terror, who aspires to annihilate a UN member nation.
- Ahmadinejad says the Jews are a small and greedy minority that controls the world through slavery. That's classic anti-Semitism which exposed the true face of that regime, to anyone who still in doubt.
- Ahmadinejad tortures his own people and represses citizen protest he has the courage to say Israel was committing genocide
Reasons to agree:
- Ahmadinejad doesn't really doubt the Holocaust, he just has to say stupid stuff like that in order for his stupid population to re-elect him.
- Ahmadinejad doesn't really care about the Palestinians. He just uses them to distract his people from their own crappy lives under his rulership. The Palestinians are refugies from the 6-day war that the Muslim nations started. If Iran cared so much about them, they could let them live in Iran. When you start a war, and loose it, you loose territory. Israil ganed land from the Palestinians when the Muslims lost the 6 day war, and the Palistinians have been bitching about it ever sense. That is what happens when you loose a war that you start: you loose property, you loose your homes, you loose your homeland. It is your own dumb fault for starting the war. The Palestinians should blame the Aarabs for starting the war, and loosing it so profoundly. They shouldn't blame the victim of the war (Israil) for winning it, and then taking some extra land after the end of the war. Ahmadinejad knows all this, but the Aarabs don't want to be told that the Palestinian's problems are their fault, and so he tells them what they want to hear, and what gives him more power. But we should never assume he is so stupid to believe his own words.
- Preventing the people with the most hate and anger in the world (Arabs) from attacking their "enemies" the Jews.
- The desire to avoid the mistakes of the past.
- Economic prosperity as a result of peace
- Ahmadinejad wants to be taken at his word, so what are his interest?
Interest of those who disagree:
- Feeling like they are smarter than those who use words to communicate.
Do you know a lot about the Arab Israil conflict? I just made all this stuff from what I hear on the news, but I would love your help.
We should take Ahmadinejad at his word.
Reasons to agree:
Reasons to agree:
Interest of those who disagree:
Do you know a lot about the Arab Israil conflict? I just made all this stuff from what I hear on the news, but I would love your help.
Unraveling the Impact of Sanctions: Do They Truly Hurt a Country's Rulers?
Arguments against 'Sanctions do not harm the rulers of a bad country'
- Logical Arguments:
- Reasons to disagree:
- Sanctions can destabilize an unjust regime by fomenting internal unrest and decreasing its financial resources.
- Even if they don't destabilize an unjust regime, they prevent the unjust regime from getting more power and being able to, eventually, do more harm.
- Opposing Evidence:
- Historical examples, like South Africa's apartheid, where international sanctions have proven effective.
- Opposing Books:
- "The Sanctions Paradox: Economic Statecraft and International Relations" by Daniel W. Drezner
- Opposing Videos:
- Opposing Organizations:
- Opposing Podcasts:
- Unbiased Experts:
- Robert Pape, political science professor at the University of Chicago
- Benefits of Belief Rejection:
- Physiological: Supports global human rights efforts
- Safety: Enhances international security
- Self-Actualization: Upholds principles of justice and accountability
- Ethical Considerations:
a) Fundamental beliefs that must be rejected to reject this belief:
- The belief that economic pressure can lead to political change.
- The belief that foreign governments have an obligation to intervene in countries with bad rulers.
c) Criteria to demonstrate the strength of this belief:
- Knowledge of historical cases where sanctions didn't affect rulers.
- Understanding of economic and political theories that explain the ineffectiveness of sanctions.
d) Shared interests with potential dissenters:
- Desire for global peace and security.
- Concern for human rights.
- Interest in effective diplomatic strategies.
e) Key differences that need addressing:
- Differing views on the effectiveness of sanctions as a tool for change.
- Different priorities regarding interventionist versus isolationist policies.
f) Strategies for encouraging dialogue:
- Promoting respectful, evidence-based discussions on online platforms.
- Encouraging diverse perspectives in forums or debates.
- Using resources like groupintel.org and github.com/myklob/ideastockexchange to facilitate informed dialogue.
g) Key resources for comprehension:
- Books: "Economic Sanctions Reconsidered" by Gary Clyde Hufbauer, Jeffrey J. Schott, and Kimberly Ann Elliott, "The Sanctions Paradox: Economic Statecraft and International Relations" by Daniel W. Drezner
- Articles: "Sanctions: Neither War nor Peace" from the Council on Foreign Relations, "Why Economic Sanctions Do Not Work" by Robert A. Pape.
- Debates/Lectures: "Do Economic Sanctions Work?" lecture by Richard Nephew, Columbia University, "Sanctions and Divestments" lecture by Khan Academy.
- Understanding will be confirmed through our forum's tests.
Miranda rights are stupid
Reasons to agree:
Reasons to disagree
Truth vs. Self-interest: Observations indicate that individuals are more inclined to speak truthfully before they read their Miranda rights. After these rights are presented, their responses tend to favor their self-interest. The quest for truth should outweigh any personal bias.
Avoiding 'Assembly-line Justice': The current legal system often falls into a pattern of "one-size-fits-all," leading to instances where individuals may avoid penalties based on technicalities, such as not being read their Miranda rights. This uniform approach lacks the nuance needed to address diverse situations and can disrupt the pursuit of justice.
Relevance of Statements: Miranda rights shouldn't impact the veracity of a statement. The information individuals provide before their rights are read should still be admissible in court, as it's not inherently untruthful.
Lawyers Evading Justice: Critics argue that Miranda rights serve as a tool for legal professionals to circumvent justice, enabling them to exploit loopholes and technicalities.
Encouraging Dishonesty: Reading Miranda rights may inadvertently remind potential offenders to deceive the police rather than providing an honest account of events.
Non-unanimous Decision: The Miranda ruling wasn't unanimous; it passed with a 5 to 4 decision. This close call questions its infallibility and the reverential treatment it often receives.
Benefits to Attorneys: Critics suggest that the "right to consult with an attorney before and during questioning" merely increases attorneys' workload instead of facilitating justice.
Unintended Consequences: Although Miranda rights were created to address coercive interrogation, some argue they have inadvertently led to more deceptive practices by reminding potential criminals to consult an attorney before speaking.
Shock vs. Self-interest: In the immediate aftermath of an incident, individuals are often shocked into answering truthfully. However, reading them their Miranda rights can shift their focus towards self-preservation.
Flaws in Law: Laws that don't penalize the guilty are flawed, argue critics. Many guilty individuals have avoided their lawful punishment due to technicalities involving Miranda rights.
Questionable Necessity: There are instances where it's clear that a confession was given voluntarily and was not coerced. Critics argue that Miranda rights seem irrelevant in such situations and do not serve their intended purpose.
Reasons to disagree
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