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Oh man, A4J...

Posted by: RogerMore on Oct 18, 10:46 in response to accountant_4_Jesus' post Does anyone want a $3.5B port? I think I'm done here.

I have a bunch of thoughts on this, so I'm just going to lay them all out.

It's disappointing that someone who has always called for greater tolerance of their own beliefs should make a post so intolerant of another religion. I'm actually struggling to think of a serious post that gets it wronger about a religion than the one you made. Certainly not by anyone who should be taken seriously.

You're saying that Islam is not a religion of peace, and that all Muslims support the killing of infidels, and that Islam doesn't share a God with Christianity. I hope you follow up with Moviesnob on the last part (but come on, Abraham, Moses and Jesus are all treated as prophets in Islam) - but please consider this - there are equally offensive statements in the Bible. There are even similar references to killing infidels in Deuteronomy. That doesn't change my view that Christianity is (generally) a religion of peace. When I meet a Christian, I don't automatically think "they believe in the dinosaur parts of the Bible, like Deuteronomy and Leviticus". I assume that person believes in Christian virtues like love, compassion, charity, faith in a higher power etc because almost all of the time it is true. (Obviously, if a person goes on and on about Deuteronomy and Leviticus and forgets about "love thy neighbour", it's a different story) Anyway, Islam is no different, and assuming that all Muslims are OK with the killing of infidels is insulting and offensive.

You should learn more about the social causes behind what is happening in the Middle East. I'm talking about things like millions of unemployed men who don't see a future for themselves, people who strongly identify with a religion because they feel there is nothing else for them to identify with and governments that encourage protests against the West so that people can let off steam in a way that doesn't challenge those in power. Obviously, I'm not saying this means that attacks on American embassies or persecution of Coptic Christians is right or justified - I'm saying that there are bad people who are using religion to get what they want, and these factors enable it.

The people who are actually upset and rioting are a reasonably small portion of the population. It's like A Tale of Two Cities - or The Dark Knight Rises - most people are bunkering down and trying to avoid the conflict until it passes. It's not particularly brave, but I think most people would do the same thing if the same circumstances existed here.

The media gives us a very small window on Islam. Stories about protests and riots and bombings are always covered. Generally not covered? Stories about religious leaders calling for peace, or about protests saying that the attack on the US embassy in Libya was wrong.

You might have a different perspective on this if you knew how the North American media presents about Australia. Several times a year there is a news story that goes "look at this new racist thing someone in Australia has done". The impression several of my friends have is "what a racist place Australia must be." As an Australian living overseas, this embarrasses me and hurts me personally. I have given up defending Australia as not really being a racist place because while similar things happen here, it doesn't change the fact that the things reported are indefensible.

Personally, I don't see Australia as particularly more racist or xenophobic than any other country. But my point is this: if North Americans have this limited a view of Australia, a place that basically shares the same language, culture and values as them, imagine how limited our view of Islam is. (And imagine how limited the view of the West from the Islamic world is - a weird combination of drone strikes, the Crusades and Hollywood hedonism)

The "sorry if I offended anyone" apology is bollocks. Sorry to bring this up, but in your own words it's an apology said to prevent a fight, not an apology because you've thought about what you said and are actually sorry.

For all other posters' talk of freedom and liberty being infringed, your posting privileges are intact and you can still say what you want on the boards. I expect being a fund manager comes with greater responsibilities because you're being endorsed by HSX.

Throwing RH under the bus - whatever your relationship with him - is not cool.

Comments (not made by you) comparing HSX practices to the Nazis are also not cool.

I still think you're basically a good person - but please, talk with some people who have different beliefs and perspectives than you do, and learn from them.

You were talking about your goals for your port just the other day. Don't give up on them in a hasty decision. Take some time to reflect.

Hope to see you back some day. You have my email address if you want to use it.

Does anyone want a $3.5B port? I think I'm done here. accountant_4_Jesus Oct 18, 00:35

A4J, it would be a shame if you left. You have contributed a lot to the game. {nm} tatoufan Oct 18, 00:49

Couldn't blame you. Good luck with things. {nm} hawkfanatic2 Oct 18, 00:57

Maybe up-up-and-away can take another successful port and have another garage sale of assets {nm} blaze223 Oct 18, 01:43

Hey, if he is willing to give it to me, I will be more than happy to accept it. {nm} up_up_and_away Oct 18, 05:17

Sell it it on ebay {nm} mike255 Oct 18, 02:07

You keep taking everything way too personal... slappydavid Oct 18, 06:25

hang in there buddy. Oleg Max Oct 18, 06:51

Don't give up and walk away on 14 yrs of playing because of this. {nm} NOLEAFCLOVR Oct 18, 06:58

oops.....continued NOLEAFCLOVR Oct 18, 07:02