posted
The sad fact is, as has been pointed out, the mistakes made in the Middle East over the course of the 20th century cannot be repaired easily. Hussein did not wave his hands and magically produce anti-American and anti-Western sentiments throughout Iraq. Those sentiments already existed, and have existed since...well, probably since some Pope got the bright idea to send the armies of Europe to capture the Holy Land. Hussein has taken those sentiments and molded them, focused them, and in general employed them towards his own ends. But removing him does not remove that antipathy towards the West.
It is foolish to assume that all people everywhere will choose to be friends of the United States if only they could be allowed to choose. We have seen Middle Eastern nations throw off undemocratic regimes before. Iran, for instance. As you may have noticed, the U.S. isn't very popular there.
The entire area, in other words, is a mess. And it's one that I fear we are powerless to clean up.
People are looking to Tom Clancy for polticial guidance? This speaks volume for the faith placed in the President if you go to an AUTHOR for political policy.
------------------ "Am I not destroying my enemies when I make them my friends?" - Abraham Lincoln
"America is a large, friendly dog in a very small room. Every time it wags its tail it knocks over a chair." - Arnold Toynbee
"Fighting for peace is like f***ing for virginity." - Anonymous
"Our bombs are smarter than [George W. Bush]. At least they can find Kuwait." - A. Whitney Brown
[This message has been edited by Right (edited February 20, 2001).]
posted
CATS: ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US. CAPTAIN: THIS SPEAKS VOLUME! CATS: YOU HAVE NO CHANCE TO SURVIVE MAKE YOUR TIME. CAPTAIN: MOVE SIG. RIGHT SIG EXCESSIVE.
------------------ "...screw logic, let's go for a theory with no evidence!" - Omega.
------------------ I should've known you were the only one stupid enough to kidnap you! Now get down here so I can spank you in front of this gawking rabble ~ C. Mongomery Burns
posted
I'm Canadian, and we don't have porn here. I sometimes read Tom Clancy, but as I'm Canadian, and because of my Canadian birth, I don't get the joke. (I'm Canadian). Would someone mind telling me (Canadian) what the joke is? (Because I don't get, and I'm Canadian.)
------------------ "...screw logic, let's go for a theory with no evidence!" - Omega.
------------------ I should've known you were the only one stupid enough to kidnap you! Now get down here so I can spank you in front of this gawking rabble ~ C. Mongomery Burns
posted
I speak some Canadian. Hockey is great, eh? J'aime beer et poutine!
------------------ Frank's Home Page "I picked up a magic 8-ball the other day and it said 'Outlook not so good.' I said 'Sure, but Microsoft still ships it.'" - ancient proverb
posted
I knew that, actually, from Babelfish, but I wanted all the non-Deviltongue speakers to know what I was talking about.
------------------ Frank's Home Page "I picked up a magic 8-ball the other day and it said 'Outlook not so good.' I said 'Sure, but Microsoft still ships it.'" - ancient proverb
Well, most of the language seems to consist of the phrase "We're NOT the United States!" repeated over and over hysterically until the speaker passes out from a frenzy-induced ministroke.
------------------ The government that seems the most unwise, oft goodness to the people best supplies. That which is meddling, touching everything, will work but ill, and disappointment bring. - The Tao Te Ching
posted
And mispronouncing the word "about", with hilarious results.
Still, at least they can say "aluminium", without sounding like twats.
------------------ "And Mojo was hurt and I would have kissed his little boo boo but then I realized he was a BAD monkey so I KICKED HIM IN HIS FACE!" -Bubbles
Shik
Starship database: completed; History of Starfleet: done; website: probably never
Member # 343
posted
Simple effective "non-bad" concept for removal of any anti-American person of power: Contact gangmembers. Infrom them that they will have clemency if they agree to work for the "gubb'ment." When they agree, pack them up, ship them to [INSERT TARGET NATION DU JOUR HERE]. Point out image of [INSERT NAME OF NAUGHTY LEADER OF TARGET NATION DU JOUR HERE]. Tell them he wants to move in on their turf or some other such nonsense that enrages gangmembers. Hilarity & "democratic processes" ensue.
On a highly different tangent, remember when a nation simply invaded another nation without having to rationalize, quantify, & explain their so-called "good intentions" to the rest of the world? I miss the simple heady days of "Hey, we're the Romans! We're really cool & funky & bitchin' & wouldn't you like to join up with us? Because if you say no, we'll overrun your ass anyway, but we'll be a whole less nicer about it."
Now it's "Oh, well...we bombed/invaded/insurrected because of a mandate from [INSERT NAME OF OPPRESSED GROUP DU JOUR HERE]. Yes, I know they've never heard of us & they just want to farm. But someone needs to blow things up for them because despite all work to the contrary, cows & sheep are still non-explosive."
------------------ "Gee, the public whipping didn't quite convey their fascist culture, I need something more straightforward. Ah, leather hats!" --Nimrod, on National Socialism fashion design.
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