"It's easier to stand up to the superpower that won't crush you..."

Exactly. It's why Judaism (to a greater degree) & Christianity (to a lesser degree) are so often the targets of the left. They're benign enemies, so it's safe & PC to attack them.

Criticize Islam? "Good heaven's man, you'll get us all killed!"

Snoop-Diggity-DANG-Wrong -

While I agree with the parent post, I think you are very mistaken about it being safe and PC to attack Judaism & Christianity. The Jewish and Christian lobbies are among the most powerful in the nation, and they don't take shit from would be attackers. No, they are not going to blow up our buildings, but they do lobby (pay $$$ and bribes) to enact legislation that takes influence and wealth away from their detractors.

While I believe that this is more the fault of corrupt politicians demanding these types of payouts (or else!), the fact remains that both Jewish and Christians lobbies pander to this sort of behavior.

The people who it is completely fine and PC to attack and admonish are not Jews or Christians, or Muslims - its Atheists.

And yet it's the third, America in case you were wondering

Aww, you ruined my smart-ass comment.

"The people who it is completely fine and PC to attack and admonish are not Jews or Christians, or Muslims - its Atheists."

Please, where in the U.S. do you see athiests being persecuted?

Jews & Christians are routine targets in everything from pop-culture to movies to U.N.-brokered peace talks.

Sure, the atheists have their fun at the expense of Christians and Jews but you'll see a homosexual President before you see someone who is openly atheist.

As for why the U.S. gets the bulk of the criticism, that criticism comes from two sources: (1) dictators (and their shills) and (2) liberals who, understandably, hold the U.S. to a higher standard than they hold Russia or China (or Syria or the Taliban for that matter). Not because you are wrong about China and Russia but because you are right. It is a given that those countries are willing to do anything in pursuit of power; it is not supposed to be a given that the U.S. is as well. How far the U.S. should allow itself to go is where the debate lies, not which country is the worst in the world.

I'm with Charles a bit on atheists even if I don't agree with his vehemence. I have seen job decisions based on someone being an avowed atheist. That being said, I've only met a handful of atheists who I would consider moral individuals--and in reality I would say they're more agnostic than atheist.

Eh... "zabood"?

"Eh... "zabood"?"

"Forget it", in Russian. It's actually singular, though, I think plural (as in Russia telling multiple countries they can forget it) would be zabootye.

Plural is "zabood'te"

"They exist on their own terms, as if they are not part of the greater world and they exist only in the present with nearly no eye on the future". Let me get this straight, you think the USA doesn't?
I think China's one child per couple policy, meant to reduce the population by half over 100 years has an eye on the future. It's just a pity it's such a grotesque government. As to Russia, well their treatment of Georgia in the last few days (and years) has been shocking. How come Perry isn't berating you Karol?

And why would I "berate" her, pray tell? Karol and I don't always agree, but this is a time when I couldn't possibly disagree, except in a very small way.

I think China's one child per couple policy, meant to reduce the population by half over 100 years has an eye on the future.

This the one thing where I might say Karol wasn't quite correct, but only because collective economies (which are compulsory by nature) do tend to plan long-term. Capitalist economies, on the other hand, are far more successful, far more prosperous, because of their required spontaneity. Central planners are too busy planning where Josef, Sergei and Svetlana are to work, and how many bolts they're to produce.

Now, whose future are you talking about? Oh, that's right, the government's future. Not the individual's future and his right to determine it himself. I don't suppose you'll ever understand this, but the concept of a "national destiny" is an absurd idea to anyone who believes in true human freedom. Whatever happens to a nation in the future is, well, should be merely the aggregate of every individual's lives. In other words, any future should be because it happened as the sum of free individual's actions and desires, not because some small group "planned" it.

You're correct to say, although it's an understatement, that China's is a grotesque government. Don't mince words: come out and say it's a totalitarian one. If parents have the income to support the number of children they desire, why should they be prevented? If it brings them happiness, and they don't harm others, why should anyone else have the right to tell them no?

And yet the U.S. is always made out to be the bad guy. Oh yes, we're evil because we have 40 million uninsured, most of which are illegals and the voluntary uninsured. Yeah, America's so bad because it won't pay for poor women to have abortion. Would you rather we be like China, and have taxpayers pay for every abortion, whether the mother likes it or not?

Did you see the interview with the Chinese gymnast who hasn't seen her family in two years, since she began training? She wasn't even sure if her family was watching.

Some vision of the future, huh? Reminds me of "The Mask of Zorro" where Alejandro asks Don Rafael, "So this is your vision?" Rafael answers, "Yes, this is my vision of the future of California," as the camera cuts away to shots of the laborers forced to work the mine. It's easy for collectivists to dream of a future: the only future possible is one of slavery.

"...the world 'can forget about' Georgia's territorial integrity...

Gee, isn't that the same principle upon which Russia protested the U.S. entering Iraq? Funny how "territorial integrity" is only relevant to Russia if there are weapons to be sold.

Perry, Too bad your Mom didn't have money for that abortion.. The world would be a better place.

Oh well, I'm sure when you wake up in her home every day you thank her for your pathetic existance.

*Out of breath from Victory lap #3 over Perry.....

Perry, Too bad your Mom didn't have money for that abortion.. The world would be a better place.

Funny you should say that. The rest of us were thinking the same about you from your first post.

Yawn, could you at least try to come up with something witty, rather than a cliche?

Oh well, I'm sure when you wake up in her home every day you thank her for your pathetic existance.

For your information, it's actually my home. After my old man died, she came to live with me, as no one else would take care of her.

Could you say the same? I didn't think so.

*Out of breath from Victory lap #3 over Perry.....

Winded after another of your self-delusions? Now we know why you're so obsessed about my weight -- you're tranferring your own 350-pound self onto anyone you're jealous of!

"Can we get some meatloaf?! Hey, Ma! The meatloaf! We want it now!"

LOL that line made me think of you for some reason...I do apologize however as I should not have wrote about your family.

Btw, the I know you are but what am I defense you employed is a cliche.

Speaking of obsessions look out below for a line by line nonsensical rebuttal.....

*Turning the corner on Perry RidesDAshortbus victory lap #4.....chugga chugga chugga choo choo!!!

No rebuttal of substance, huh. I figured as much. Oh, and IKYABWAI is not what I said, but we already knew you have a serious problem with reading comprehension.

Please go back to play with the other kiddies, ok? Adults are trying to talk here.

Perry, sorry for the tardiness of my reply. I disputed part of what Karol said, and was surprised you also didn't. Then you did.
btw, All my best wishes with your upcoming wedding. The best wedding advice I ever heard was "Just because she thinks you are 'mister right', don't go thinking that makes your first name into 'always'!" Away from any point scorings, good luck to you both.

Thank you, bryan. Three weeks from today! But this one is only on paper, just a civil wedding at City Hall. Next year we'll have a church wedding in the Philippines.