[讨论]USC还是UT?

Lilac29

以下是引用xoxoacura在2007-5-3 22:33:00的发言：

-- Texans are cheerful and warm-hearted. Although lots of Texans like GWB, it was not difficult for me to find somebody who likes to bash that clown. : )

That's good. Should be more people there to change Texas to blue.

Austin可能就是红州中的“兰州”。呵呵。

Lilac29

以下是引用xoxoacura在2007-5-3 22:33:00的发言：

-- Texans are cheerful and warm-hearted.

我可能就是对Texas有偏见。小布什同学贡献多多呀。

还有就是觉得Texas大是大了，不觉得方便，上哪儿都得开车。上次去我Dallas的朋友那里，喝个下午茶还得开车去，太郁闷了。

估计有家的同学去Texas还是挺好的。单身女生适合住纽约，波士顿。

Expert123

以下是引用Lilac29在2007-5-3 23:30:00的发言：

Constitutions are evolving. It may be amended. And also the interpretation whether one thing is constitutional might be different from different era.

 

Gun control is in hot debate in United States. Rumor has it that Al Gore lost his home state Tennessee in 2000 election because of gun control issues.

 

Personally, I hope there will be more restrictions on gun purchasing etc.

I don't think one single gun law will prevent monsters from committing crimes but it will make harder.

Expert123

以下是引用Lilac29在2007-5-3 23:30:00的发言：

Constitutions are evolving. It may be amended. And also the interpretation whether one thing is constitutional might be different from different era.

 

Gun control is in hot debate in United States. Rumor has it that Al Gore lost his home state Tennessee in 2000 election because of gun control issues.

 

Personally, I hope there will be more restrictions on gun purchasing etc.

I don't think one single gun law will prevent monsters from committing crimes but it will make harder.

Certainly, gun control is an issue in hot debate in the U.S, and reasonable minds can differ on whether gun control will reduce crime. However, the fact the Constitution "may be" amended does not change where the law stands currently. After all, even the First Amendment may be repealed but no one doubts the freedom of speech for now. So far, it is also extremely unlikely the Supreme Court will change the interpretation of the Second Amendment.

If you are familiar with the history of the Constitution, you would know that the 18th Amendment ("Prohibition Amendment) was ratified in 1919 to forbid the manufacture, transportation and sale of alchohol. It did not manage to control the perceived ills caused by alchoholism. Instead, since it made alchohol hard to obtain and more desirable to the average man, a lot of illegal businesses started dealing with alchohol and caused crime rates to increase. In the book and movie Godfather I, illegal dealing of alchohol was the main "business" Vito Corleone engated in.  In the end, the 18th Amendment was repealed by the 21th Amendment, and the people )(21 and above) regained rights to have alchohol as they wish.

Similar illegal dealing of firearms would also likely to take place if "gun control" takes pace in the U.S. in the form of a legal restriction.

Also, I think it is too simplistic to think Chinese should prefer "Blue" state over "Red" state. I do not see a "Blue" area treat Chinese more favorably than "Red" area. Just remember, even Orange County is "Red".

千寻的神隐

one major problem on the capitol hill is partisan polictics. i don't see the point of blindly follow "red" or "blue". vote based on the issue at hand rather than along the party line, if you have the right to vote.

Lilac29

以下是引用Expert123在2007-5-4 0:18:00的发言：

However, the fact the Constitution "may be" amended does not change where the law stands currently.

With the same token, the fact the law protects gun purchase and use does not change people's opinion toward it and also doenot make it right or wrong. There was the time the enslavement of the blacks were protected by law. And women were not allowed to vote by law. We all see how wrong it was.

Expert123

以下是引用Lilac29在2007-5-4 2:23:00的发言：

With the same token, the fact the law protects gun purchase and use does not change people's opinion toward it and also doenot make it right or wrong. There was the time the enslavement of the blacks were protected by law. And women were not allowed to vote by law. We all see how wrong it was.

 

The current gun laws are not necessarily "right" in everyone's opinion. Citing previous instances that the law was wrong or even immoral does not change the "rightness" or "wrongfulness" of the gun laws today. It is more helpful to see concrete evidence supporting gun control instead of bold assertions of it being right or wrong.

As a Chinese woman, you might see more restrictions on guns as protections of your safety. However, given the difference in physical strength and fighting abilities between you and an average violent criminal, it is hard to refute the argument that, at least with a gun, you will have a fighting chance against criminals who may threaten your personal safety and property. This is especially true since criminals are already armed with guns in the states. If law-abiding citizens suddenly lose such rights, it will only give criminals a huge advantage and do whatever they want without fear of effective self-defense.

You are most certainly entitled to your point of view even if half of the country disagrees with you. However, keep in mind that this very right is based on the "freedom of speech," the scope of which is still debated today.

Let's take Roe v. Wade as an example. As of today, women have rights to abortion (with certain restrictions). Many Americans "all see how wrong it is," but it does not change the validity or enforcement of the law. It is necessary to respect the law without giving up rights to disagree with it. Otherwise, if everyone does whatever he wants, only anarchy would remain.

Lilac29

以下是引用Expert123在2007-5-4 0:18:00的发言：

Also, I think it is too simplistic to think Chinese should prefer "Blue" state over "Red" state. I do not see a "Blue" area treat Chinese more favorably than "Red" area. Just remember, even Orange County is "Red".

I agree that " it is too simplistic to think Chinese should prefer "Blue" state over "Red" state."  In fact, it is hard to even define that since it is dynamic. And in every state, there are Rep and Dem. Differences are just which one prevails.

"I do not see a "Blue" area treat Chinese more favorably than "Red" area". I think the reasons for that might be that 1) Americans still view Asians as foreign; 2) Asians usually live a good life especially the immigrants since 1980s with good education; 3) Chinese usually have not much interests in politics. （可能每个人都在想，梁园虽好，不是久留之地；但还是一年一年，滞留此处。）

我觉得大城市还是相对对外来移民更宽容些。我一个朋友刚从纽约搬到波士顿时，就觉得不适应。觉得波士顿不如纽约宽容。

Expert123

以下是引用千寻的神隐在2007-5-4 2:22:00的发言：
one major problem on the capitol hill is partisan polictics. i don't see the point of blindly follow "red" or "blue". vote based on the issue at hand rather than along the party line, if you have the right to vote.

This is the problem of a bi-partisan system. You have to choose the party you agree with more, or at least disagree with less.

If my vote would actually count, I'd rather vote for the Libertarian Party in most cases. (http://www.lp.org/)

But no, it won't count unless it is in a very local election. So I will pick the major party that I have most agreements on issues more important to me.

Expert123

以下是引用Lilac29在2007-5-4 2:51:00的发言：

I agree that " it is too simplistic to think Chinese should prefer "Blue" state over "Red" state."  In fact, it is hard to even define that since it is dynamic. And in every state, there are Rep and Dem. Differences are just which one prevails.

"I do not see a "Blue" area treat Chinese more favorably than "Red" area". I think the reasons for that might be that 1) Americans still view Asians as foreign; 2) Asians usually live a good life especially the immigrants since 1980s with good education; 3) Chinese usually have not much interests in politics. （可能每个人都在想，梁园虽好，不是久留之地；但还是一年一年，滞留此处。）

我觉得大城市还是相对对外来移民更宽容些。我一个朋友刚从纽约搬到波士顿时，就觉得不适应。觉得波士顿不如纽约宽容。

Very insightful observations.

Asians tend to be view as the "model minority" that have certain "advantages" over other groups. LIke you said, Asians who are immigrants since 1980 tend to be highly educated professionals. Asians are also more likely to believe "hard work," "family values" and do not often involve in politics or civic activities. In fact,  many greencard holding Chinese do not want US citizenship, and many Chinese immigrants with US citizenshps do not even vote.

I personally prefer a smaller city and a Red State. I especially do not like New York City. I'd be OK with Boston if it is not so dominated by biases of "liberal elites." But again, each is entitled to his own opinion.