The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation deputy director Sherwin Smith is warning citizens to think before they start raising concerns about water quality because they could be charged with making terroristic threats. Smith told Maury County resident that unfounded complaints could be considered an “act of terrorism” and turned over the the police and the FBI. The meeting followed complaints about water quality in Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee where children have become ill drinking the water. That left residents with the sense that they were being given a Sophie’s Choice by the TDEC: live with sick children or face a possible charge of being a terrorist.
Smith warned residents “you need to make sure that when you make water quality complaints you have a basis, because federally, if there’s no water quality issues, that can be considered under homeland security an act of terrorism.” One audience member seemed to be in disbelief and asked “Can you say that again, please?” Smtih then repeated the warning.
The residents know something about terror. Joycelene Johns, 68, says that she has had no choice but to drink the cloudy, odd-tasting water for years. She added “I’ll drink it. but I pray before the first sip.”
The comments reflect a fear that the war on terror, like Saturn, inevitably devours its own. Criticism of the government is now viewed as a potentially terrorist act in our new society. The TDEC appears to be paraphrasing Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar: “The fault, dear Joycelene, is not in our water, But in ourselves.”
Of course, the worse thing is if Johns is arrested and water-boarded with the same contaminated water. The least they could do is use some bottled water so not to add insult to injury.
Source: Tennessee
Whine some more, AY.
It looks good on you.
“Many people will shrink if you just tell them they are wrong without even having to make an argument. They have such little confidence in their beliefs or their intellect, they shrink without so much as a snivel.”
Yep.
Or they go straight for the ol’ “you’re a dooty head”.
Gene,
Yes… You have….and on numerous occasions….
Gene H:
pretty much my point.
Many people will shrink if you just tell them they are wrong without even having to make an argument. They have such little confidence in their beliefs or their intellect, they shrink without so much as a snivel.
I say if you are a wall flower then dont post here if you dont want your ideas examined and criticized.
I enjoy it. The only way to get better at fighting is to have your a$$ whipped a few times.
The marketplace of ideas is a Darwinian process.
Good ideas and arguments survive, bad one don’t, and the thin skinned take it personally when their ideas and arguments don’t survive.
Big boy pants. Get some. Like Bron says, what chance do you have standing against a government if you can’t stand against one guy arguing? Not much.
And I don’t have to call people idiots nor do I, AY. Those that are often make that bed themselves. That’s why I attack their arguments. Just like I’m attacking your argument – which is still a weak form of “you’re just a big meanie”. Just because someone makes an idiotic argument does not mean they themselves are idiotic. Do I call arguments idiotic? It has been known to happen. I’ve certainly called them irrational, illogical and said they lacked evidence. I’ve seen me do it before. I’ll probably do so again.
See again what Bron said about heat and kitchens.
Free speech isn’t for the faint of heart.
Gene,
Sure it is…it is as you say or you wouldn’t say it…that’s the fact… And if someone disagrees with you…. You call them idiots or something else…. Don’t you see the delusion in your contradictory self…. I think Bron hit it square on…. You run otherwise good people off…
AY,
Yes, they are distinct, but the one with the problem discerning that difference is you. If you aren’t winning an argument, it’s because yours is weaker either substantively or rhetorically, not that the other person is a bully. That’s a common misunderstanding usually carried by amateurs at argumentation. But instead of learning from that, you choose more ad hominem. Like I said, at least you’re consistent.
Bron,
The only power I have is the power of logic, rhetoric, a knowledge of how to evaluate evidence and evidentiary standards, and a thorough understanding of the psychology of argumentation.
I’ve consistently said, “If you think I’m wrong, prove it.” Some do, many do not. Just like men, all arguments are created equal – everyone has one just like opinions, but not all arguments are equally created. Such is the way of things.
However, you’re right about one thing. Our country is doomed if people can’t exercise logic, rhetoric and evidence to substantiate their claims. No right was ever retained that wasn’t fought for.
If you think your logic (and evidence) is strong?
You should be willing to prove it.
Your ability to prove it will only improve with practice.
Your own personal improvement at argumentation has made leaps and bounds over the years. Do you really think that it would have done so absent the presence of challenge? Probably not.
Bron,
I’m surprised and still awe struck…. Digesting what was said….wow…
Gene,
Being a bully and being able to argue well are separate and distinct concepts….. Most people can tell the difference….then some can’t…. But I have no say in the matter…..so you say….
nick:
I like Gene but he is pretty tough and has run off more than one person. Although if they cant handle the heat stay out of the kitchen.
When he doesnt comment for periods of time, more and different people post. I am amazed that there are so many woosies in the world.
“Oooh Gene H. told me my logic sucked, I am so insulted.” “Wawawa, Gene H. said dont poke the bear.” “(tears running down their face) Gene H. said I argue like a moron.”
When I was a kid, my grandfather told me to take a baseball bat to a bully. If people think Gene H is a bully? Then take a figurative baseball bat to him and thrash him. Just do it within the boundaries and if he steps outside them? Then copy and send to the Prof., I imagine if he gets enough of them from enough different people he will take appropriate action.
All this he said, she said stuff is getting on my nerves. If Gene H. has this much power over people, then the American public must be full of cowards. And we deserve to be wire tapped, taxed, intimidated and otherwise be made miserable by those in power.
People used to make fun of slogans like “better dead than red” and “live free or die”. I say who wants to live in a country full of cowards who are afraid to comment on a blog because one individual tells them their logic sucks.
No wonder America has serious problems with our government. If people cannot stand up to one lone individual on a blog dedicated to civil liberties how do they hope to curtail the massive abuse by a burgeoning totalitarian state?
Seriously, I can keep poking holes in your stance all day long. It’s riddled with contradiction and bad logic. If you’ve learned anything about me over the years, it should be that I can argue a boulder into gravel. And will.
Then again, some people just never learn.
Just like some people never learn that its usually bullies who scream the loudest about bullies when they run across someone who isn’t going to take any crap off of them.
So please, call me a bully again.
It’s funny.
You’re so right gene…. I have no say in the matter…. Now! Play nice and run along….and quit being a bully… It may be your style…. But stop it… Oh, that’s right… I have now say in that matter either….as John Prine sang… You are what you are and you ain’t what you ain’t….. Now move along….
Too bad you have no say in the matter, AY.
But it is funny you say you’re “not playing that game” is followed immediately by an ad hominem attack.
At least you’re consistent.
Gene,
Thank you for your thoughtful and well accepted comment…. I wish you luck….
Nick,
I used to respond to negativity with negativity…. I kept loosing focus…. Today…. I’m not playing that game…. Gene is a bully…. And abuses the privilege of being a guest blogger….. When he gets upset with something he can’t control or run off… He feels threatened and resorts to personal attacks… And threatens banning and or places one in moderation… This is abusive…it’s time for it to stop….
AY,
Next time you offer a personal opinion on someone else, especially in the form of ad hominem gibberish, perhaps you should try doing it to someone who doesn’t actually know you.
For those of us who do, it only makes us laugh.
AY, I think we need to be persistent yet patient. The true colors of some are becoming clear, and I trust and respect Mr. Turley. I am patient by nature. I have some natural persistence but that was improved by my chosen profession. Unfortunately, we have an impatient and quitter culture. However, if you don’t fall prey to that negativity, you are rewarded. Not today, tomorrow, next month or sometimes next year; but eventually you are rewarded. In the meantime stay positive and laugh. Be grateful for the small things. I just dropped a great deuce[quart of prune juice helped], and I’m happier than a pig in shit.
Gene,
You’re welcome….. The rest are your issues…. Grandiosity must be hard to live down… That’s the bully in you though …. But that’s what I’ve been saying all along…. You fail to grasp that that’s who you are….and that’s what this blawg does not need…. If you could make a point without being personal I’d have no issues… But you take it further than it needs to be by making it personal and then exercising your position to place for in moderation … Or threat of banning them….
And yes I still eat mass qualities of ice cream…. Thank you for asking….
Bron, I have lamented often of the lack of black folk here and I have tried to recruit some. Two guys I know have read this blog for awhile and said, “No f@cking way.” This blog is insular and cliquey, but I see some of the cliques breaking up, which is good.