Firestarter 0 Report post Posted November 13, 2003 Nuke the Moon Finally, a plan for world peace that will really work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jobber of the Week 0 Report post Posted November 13, 2003 This sounds like my yammering for a Cold War "crazy man with a big stick" mentality. LOL. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jobber of the Week 0 Report post Posted November 13, 2003 You mean after oh say the last 12 years or so? Hilarious. Why yes. We have a strong economy and did, for quite a while, make quite a few things here. Refusing to trade with a country could have been a bigger threat if all our jobs weren't going off to India, China, etc. At this point it's going to be the other country that will refuse to trade with US. And I support peace through superior firepower. It's a great deterrent. I just don't think it should be used because someone looked at us funny. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Cerebus Report post Posted November 14, 2003 I believe the problem with Marney's comments (and the appearant beliefs of this administration) is the idea that you can change the culture of the entire Middle East region by using guns to keep out the unwanted elements. I know this is a risky comparison, but the Taliban did much the same thing, destroying museums and demolishing national treasures because they were considered an unwanted element in their rule. No nation on Earth will part with it's culture easily. Although it can be removed from everyday life, it cannot be totally forgotten. The best possible scenario is that Middle East governments stop sponsoring Islamic traditions (such as the honor killings discussed above) but that isn't going to happen without making quite a few enemies out of other nations, and I'm not just talking about the middle east here. I hate to agree with Jobber...but I agree with Jobber. I think the reason the Middle East is more vulnerable to fanatical religious governments isn't for any cultural or religious reason, but purely political and historical. If we're talking about the Arab world (not including Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey etc.) you only see the huge rise of Political Islam after the 67 war and the fall of Nasser as any real political force. Combine the and the fall of the Ottoman Empire (the last bastion of true Islamic greatness), the creation (and scapegoating of) Israel, the failure of pan-Arabism, the problems always present with post-colonialism, and bam, you have a recipe for Islamic radicalism. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Firestarter 0 Report post Posted December 12, 2003 Wahhabis at the Gate - by Stephen Schwartz A brief but encouraging look at the Saudis' (for now) vain attempts to radicalise Albanian Moslems. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Cerebus Report post Posted December 12, 2003 One could argue, quite eloquently I believe, that this is, in part, thanks to US & NATO intervention. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Corey_Lazarus 0 Report post Posted December 13, 2003 Just one quick comment, and then I'll leave. Do not throw around the term "democracy" so easily. The United States is not, and has never been, a democracy. We are a republic, as the Pledge Of Allegiance ever-so-blatantly states. That's just been getting on my nerves ever since 9/11, because every single would-be and true patriot (and the true patriots I have nothing but the utmost respect for, but the would-be's need a kick in the head; buying a flag does NOT make you a patriot) threw around "democracy" like it were a ragdoll. I await the complete owning of myself by Marney, Tom, and various others. Good day. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted December 13, 2003 I await the complete owning of myself by Marney, Tom, and various others. Good day. Own you? Never. Rent you? Perhaps... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricMM 0 Report post Posted December 13, 2003 Dude you got rented. Hmmm Doesn't have the same ring... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Cerebus Report post Posted December 13, 2003 Um...ok then what, sir, is a democracy? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Firestarter 0 Report post Posted December 13, 2003 Do not throw around the term "democracy" so easily. The United States is not, and has never been, a democracy. We are a republic, as the Pledge Of Allegiance ever-so-blatantly states. What do you think the word "democracy" means? It isn't a system of government; it's a principle of governance. There's a difference. The United States is a representative democratic republic comprised of a confederation of states. It's perfectly appropriate to refer to her as a democracy, a republic, and a confederacy. Honestly, just what would you be willing to call a "democracy?" If you mean the usual semiliterate garbage about mythical pseudo-Athenian universal suffrage with every citizen having an equal voice on every issue, no such system has ever existed. No such system has ever been proposed. No such system will ever exist. Next post, try a little more substance and a little less boldface. I await the complete owning of myself by Marney, Tom, and various others. Hope I didn't keep you waiting too long. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Corey_Lazarus 0 Report post Posted December 15, 2003 I dunno...you were about two and a half hours (2 hours and 36 minutes, to be precise) late with your ownage of me, so your points for this round aren't as high as they would be had you replied with your full-out "bitch mode" reply that you reserve for more annoying replies. And I use the term "democracy" as "a system of government where each citizen has a vote in what happens." To equate democracy, as it is, with Americana is, I feel, wrong. No true democracy has ever lasted outside of, say, a small club that children who are friends would form (where, if democracy failed, all discussions were settled with Rock, Paper, Scissors), and I know that saying "democracy" is easier than saying "democratic republic of a confederation of states," but just flat-out saying "democracy" helps spread ignorance among the weaker-minded. Which, as we all know, overpopulate this island Earth. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Cerebus Report post Posted December 15, 2003 I dunno...you were about two and a half hours (2 hours and 36 minutes, to be precise) late with your ownage of me, so your points for this round aren't as high as they would be had you replied with your full-out "bitch mode" reply that you reserve for more annoying replies. And I use the term "democracy" as "a system of government where each citizen has a vote in what happens." To equate democracy, as it is, with Americana is, I feel, wrong. No true democracy has ever lasted outside of, say, a small club that children who are friends would form (where, if democracy failed, all discussions were settled with Rock, Paper, Scissors), and I know that saying "democracy" is easier than saying "democratic republic of a confederation of states," but just flat-out saying "democracy" helps spread ignorance among the weaker-minded. Which, as we all know, overpopulate this island Earth. Ok so democracy is an overought definition that can't possibly exist? Then what's the point of having the word around? You're just showing off how "smart" you are by making up a defintion of an, admittedly, vague word and claiming it as Gospel. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Corey_Lazarus 0 Report post Posted December 15, 2003 ^ Exactly. What's the point of having the word "nothing" if it's impossible for NOTHING to be happening? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
