Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Hijack

A plane is hijacked with terrorists aboard and they are demanding the release of several convicted criminals in custody and I am faced with a decision on how my nation should respond. There are basic moral principles involved with the personnel and their family members. On the other hand, giving into the these demands will show them that we do have a weakness. With the way that the world is today, I would decide to ignore the terrorists’ demands. Why would I come to this decision? Would moral thoughts affect my overall decision? What is my country’s actual policy on terror?

When it comes to my own beliefs and morals, I firmly believe in preserving all human life. I do not believe that all violence is necessary but like I said, in today’s world, you have to make strong and touch decisions. Some might believe that losing one hundred passengers is better than several thousands. Down the road if terrorists, meaning Islamic "Extremists", truly believe that by causing harm to the Americans and losing their lives for a more rewarding after life, then there is nothing or no one who can stop them. I, myself, just retired from the military so I have been informed about the U.S Counter terrorism polices. I have to say for this country to protect itself with these policies like making no concessions to terrorists and striking no deals have to be up held. In today’s world, it is not like World War I and II where we were up against specific foes where we had a pretty good idea of what it would take to achieve this task. This war in Iraq is totally different. In simple terms, we are fighting in the middle of a civil war in which we are getting shot at by both sides. I believe that if we pulled out completely right now, it would be a catastrophe and be a safe haven for the terrorists that we are discussing right now. The United States Government believes that paying ransom or making other concessions to the terrorists in exchange for the release of hostages increases the danger that others will be taken. Its policy therefore rejects all demands for ransom, prisoner exchanges, and deals with terrorists in exchange for the release of hostages. At the same time, it will make every effort, including contact with representatives of the captors, to obtain the release of the hostages.

So, after all is said and done, maybe because of the eight years in the Air Force and being deployed to places like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Pakistan, and South Korea, I tend to support my commander and chief.

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Write or Wrong?

In determining what is write orwrong can be different for everyone. I feel that I am 95% a morl relatavist but some issues I feel very strongly about. I do assesss the situation before I determine if iI believe if it's write or wrong.

The basic building blocks of your decison makng is based on your childhood and the way your parents brought you up. Even the environment plays a role in the way you view the situation. A person growing up in the city will have diffrent views than a person growing up in the country. For example when it comes to the strictness of your parents you may look back on your childhood and decide whether or not your parents were hard on you. You may or may not take into consideration your childhood friends and the way ther parents treated them. By doing that yoy are taking diferent situations from different elements a putting a decision together. Overall when you are a kid you don't always want to be told what to do, and when ther parents are always screaming at them it's just because they are mean. Thats not always true , parents just don't want bad thibgs happing to ther kids.

Now the small part of me that I truly believe that I am a "absolutest" comes to the social situation of "gay Marrage" and ther right to adopt children. Overall I believe ehat I am an easygoing individual but when it comes to this issue I almost feel the hairs on the back of my neck stick up! Now again even with my strong view I have sat back and and thought of differnt views that society might bring to the table. Some people might say that what if ther was a young child ready to be adopted and the only one's qualified were a gay couple, would I rather that child be parentles or have a loving family? To me that answer is noty hat simple, my deep down concern is the evironment that child would be brought up in. That issue itself opens up a whole new can of beans. But I believe deep down that a new born child brought up 18-20 years in a house with two gay men, believe that the chid has the chance to be influenced into testing the waters in a gay invironment. this situation deeply troubles me.

Everyone is human an can be right or wrong. It come down to your own beliefs and everyone entitled to them. I decide by thinking about the situation and how other people think about it. What are your views about right or wrong? What meathod would you use?

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Perception

I Stephen Butler believe that socrates had the right idea- It can be hard but if you can see the position of both sides of an issue then Objective Perception is possible! Gorgias asserted that objective perception is impossible. Socrates agreed that it is highly unlikely, but claimed that through knowledge of the self, through knowing where we individually are the most likely to distort data, we can come ever closer to perceiving the truth.

The world is a crazy place these days and it seems that Republicans and Democrats have totaly different views about the war in Iraq. Those who support President Bush like myself on the issue of sending more troops to "FINISH" the job, but there are also people who totaly disagree and say that we should pull out. Thes people should know that this would be the biggest mistake in American history, because leaving an unstable Middle East is leaving an unstable world!!!!!!

I see myself as an easygoing guy and try not to judge people, especially on first impressions. I myself try to see the good in people before I make a final judgement. In todays society it is getting harder, especially with Muslum stereotypes.

Today anytime I go to the airport and fly to New York, I look around for men dressed in Muslum attire. I believe that all the CNN that I watch contributes to this fear. For example I was watching a special on 20/20 about the Air Marshall Program in witch one of the criterias for them is to identify themselves before each flight. In my opinion that is the dumbest thing that I have ever heard. Hopfully 9/11 will never happen again!!!

We are always fearfull of the unknown. What we can't understand for ourselves makes us prejudice in out judgment!

about me!!

My name is Stephen Butler and I just been Medically Discharged from the U.S. Air Force. You can say that my life has turned 180 degrees in a short amount of time!! While I was in South Korea from June, 2005 till June 2006 without my wife with me, I was told that I have what's called Ulcerative Colities witch is known more as Croans Disease, I basically have trouble with my digestive system. Medications have helped control my symptoms but I will have to deal with this disease for the rest of my life!!! The only bright spot about this situation is that I am now considered a Disabled Veteran witch helps me very much in trying to get a Government job when i finish my Business degree, because of what is called the 10 point preference system. Over all I firmly believe that Uncle Sam is trying to help his men and women of the armed forces Thank You for your time STEPHEN BUTLER