"Very balanced "analysis" in this report. I especially enjoyed how Iraq's use of chemical weapons is reported as such: "Iraq responded to Iranian victories on the ground by making use of its advantage in technology: it escalated the tanker war, employed chemical weapons, and launched attacks on civilian targets", yet the US is harshly judged in every other sentence for even the slightest of mistakes." _____________________________________________
The point that is missed is that we were instigating and supplying both sides of the war and claiming to be neutral. Moreover, the US complained much latter of the use of WMD. ______________________________________________
"Do you know what one of the great things about this country is (oops, more patriotism, sorry)? It is the fact that one can have open and free discussions such as we are having, and the truth can be revealed." ______________________________________________
The truth will not come from only one source. Yes, I know how good it is here. Yes, I know what is like to live in a Communist/Dictatorship regime. Not that I need to validate my opinion. I am also a proud American. And I resent when people label you as Anti-American anytime one disagrees with the current"US policy", norm or criticizes the government. Just a thought Benson: When people say they are American, are they thinking of the USA only? That may be a problemGǪ ______________________________________________
"The text you recommended speaks for itself. The point of departure and arrival for this author is that the US' actions are sinister - just connect the dots. The Anti-Americanism is so thick it drips off the page." ______________________________________________
Read it again with the US interests in mind. Who were our allies? These backstabbings have been repeated many times over. No matter how much we deny it, it is not the "people" we are trying to save. It is US interests. Mr. Powell was recorded as saying that he recommended the War be started as soon as possible otherwise it could be politically damaging to our President. Is this a good reason to go to war? ______________________________________________
"As I said, free discussion brings out the truth. And here is the truth in this matter. For just stating the simple wish that "God Bless America" you and RJMcMahon have unleashed your venom on me. I have been told to "grow up", "show some respect for others", and below you imply that I am a narrow-minded person who hides behind patriotic chant. Tell me, RafaelG, is this the way you hope to persuade me? Is this the way of "peace"?" __________________________________________________
I am not trying to persuade anyone. I am in search of the truth behind this and it doesn't look pretty. I am not a snake. __________________________________________________
"I'm enjoying this free discussion. It leads to all sorts of unexpected things --- like watching a "peace" movement that is bordering on neurosis, resulting in thugish behavior. Yes, RafaelG and RJMcMahon, George W. Bush is a tyrant trading blood for oil (how about those who call him a Hitler?), I'm a narrow-minded person, yada-yada-yada. This is "peace"?" __________________________________________________
Neurosis, in my opinion, is what G.W. Bush has. He wants to do better than "Daddy". _________________________________________________
"Do you know what the irony of this situation is? It was people just like yourself who have made a shambles of the UN, the forum you hold in such esteem. As you may recall, a few months ago the majority of Americans believed that the US should not go to war without UN approval. But after having seen the frenzy of anti-Americanism unleashed both within the UN and the "peace" movement, the majority swung to the other side, and decided we should just go it alone, if necessary." __________________________________________________
I was opposed to dedicate money to something that doesn't pose an immediate threat as Mr. Bush advertises, when we can allocate the funds for better use. Yes, we can spend 75B on a war effort but our Firefighters, Police and all victims of Sep 11 have to go to court due to the US gov. trying to squirm out of some measly compensation. And all of this while I watch the local schools closing on my neighborhood. Do you really know the meaning of Democracy? Do you know who is really doing the fighting in this war? Are people that express an opposition to the US hypocritical policies Anti-American? __________________________________________________
"Once again, I ask, is this how you hope to persuade people?
Also, once again: GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!" __________________________________________________
I did not object to the remark. I objected to the content within the remark. Yes Benson, I hope GOD BLESSES AMERICA!
re: The Effect of War on TelecomWe have an oil dependency which fuels fanatics. What are we going to do about it?
Start buying more oil from friendlier countries such as Mexico, Norway and Venezuela. Cut a deal with Mr. Putin so he can get his country's economy going.
Open up the Alaskan front for oil.
Open up more nuclear plants.
Invest in alternative fuels and provide incentives for companies to do so.
Talk of raising taxes as a way of discouraging use of oil is stupid. It is nothing more than a regressive tax on working people.
re: The Effect of War on TelecomThe button pushed is that these troops follow orders and put their lives on the line. Our leaders and our press should show enough respect to them and the rest of society by speaking truthfully. Hiding behind patriotism solves nothing (though it does make for a popular Jerry Springer TV show).
We have an oil dependency which fuels fanatics. What are we going to do about it? --------------------
I guess we can go over the possibilities again:
1) Let the middle east go. Adapt to changes in the price and supply of oil as they come. This means a certain amount of economic instability and giant swings in the price of oil. The giant swings in the oil price will, as in the 1970's, hit small developing nations who don't produce oil the worst. The western oil companies could easily adapt by becoming trading and marketing companies for oil.
2) Abandon Israel. Cut the cord. Let them secure international loans on their own, let them pay for their military on their own. And (probably) let them conduct ethnic cleansing of the west bank and gaza on their own as a result.
3) Let wars break out in the middle east without any intervention. This would mean: - Saudi Arabia and the gulf states would be swallowed by their neighbors - Jordan would collapse - Lots of death and lots of refugees fleeing for the west. - War without end. - An end to the notion of human rights as even a minor issue in the region.
And maybe its not as bad as it seems. Experience in africa has shown that if the local governments disintegrate into bandits and warlords, its still very possible to extract the natural resources of the countries. And a poor, divided disfunctional government is far easier to rob than a powerful central government.
And even if some of the states ineviatably develop nuclear weapons, the US has very little to worry about. I mean the fallout would cause some difficulty outside of the region, but they would mostly be a danger to themselves, not probably to americans if we left them alone.
re: The Effect of War on Telecom"France, Germany and Canada are as free as the US, this is certainly true. How much of a hand did America have in ensuring the freedom of the people of these nations? And talk about starting reckless wars...I am not a professional historian, but I do seem to recall that our German friends have a penchant for global conflict."
I may not be a historian but
1. Canada DOES NOT owe its freedom to the US. The last I know, they were kicked out by the Brits for trying to invade- just have to visit the Northern states and eastern provinces to see the battle sites.
2. If my memory serves me right, the French helped the Americans to kick the Red coats ( British ) out of the US. Old Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson must be rolling in their graves when insults are directed at the French.
re: The Effect of War on TelecomCoincidence? It is recorded history my colleagues. Some instances to compare:
Dictatorship supported in the Dominican Republic. Changes in infrastructure to support investors. Excuse: Political instability. Need to "Americanize" no good immoral inhabitants. The Domain Principle.
Cuba; (Spanish-North American War) Revolution to be free from Spain. US claims neutrality but supplies arms to Spain and detain ships with arms to supply the uprising. Lots of support initially from the US until fighters want to have democracy independent of US. US gets involved with excuse of ship explosion and the Manifest Destiny paper.
Nicaragua; Somoza dictatorship planted by US
Panama Guess who liked the "Drug Lord?
Haiti; same as Dominican Republic.
I don't have the time or the incentive to detail all the history. I only hope that someone other than the US finds the WMD in Iraq.
Puhleeze with your "recent" gibberish. Who cares if it didn't happen yesterday, but the fact of the matter is that there aren't Swastikas hanging in the Eifel Tower because of the U.S.
Anyway, Germany and France are irrelevant in the great scheme of things.
re: The Effect of War on Telecom Abandon Israel. Cut the cord. Let them secure international loans on their own, let them pay for their military on their own.
This neglects the possibility, in fact probability, that their economy would collapse in very short order without US aid. Their economy is already in bad shape. Without the wellfare they would be history.
And (probably) let them conduct ethnic cleansing of the west bank and gaza on their own as a result.
It has already been going on. The bulldozers come, the olive trees get plowed. The Palestinians go. The settlers come. It has been happening for years. Jabotinski's vision of Zionism is the guiding vision of the Likud and it has been for some time.
re: The Effect of War on Telecom France, Germany and Canada are as free as the US, this is certainly true. How much of a hand did America have in ensuring the freedom of the people of these nations?
Recently? Very little. I love it when the jingoists start rattling on about how France should feel so thankful to America for WWII. As I told one of my French friends: "Don't take that crap from any American. We went into that war for our own reasons. Those guys buried in Normandy died for the US not France." And don't even think about bringing up the cold war! There hasn't been a credible Soviet threat in 20 years. And even though the original raison d'etre of NATO has been a moot point for 20 years the US still tries to maintain it. Some see this as a way of trying to maintain control over Europe. Finally France and Germany realize they don't have to do everything the US president tells them to. Don't like that? Get used to it. It is a much different world out there now. The old scarecrows don't scare anyone any more and the new ones are only made worse by America's actions abroad.
And talk about starting reckless wars...I am not a professional historian, but I do seem to recall that our German friends have a penchant for global conflict.
That would be past tense: "had" a penchant. Today they are one of the most peace loving and responsible of global citizens anywhere in the world.
"Very balanced "analysis" in this report. I especially enjoyed how Iraq's use of chemical weapons is reported as such: "Iraq responded to Iranian victories on the ground by making use of its advantage in technology: it escalated the tanker war, employed chemical weapons, and launched attacks on civilian targets", yet the US is harshly judged in every other sentence for even the slightest of mistakes."
_____________________________________________
The point that is missed is that we were instigating and supplying both sides of the war and claiming to be neutral. Moreover, the US complained much latter of the use of WMD.
______________________________________________
"Do you know what one of the great things about this country is (oops, more patriotism, sorry)? It is the fact that one can have open and free discussions such as we are having, and the truth can be revealed."
______________________________________________
The truth will not come from only one source. Yes, I know how good it is here. Yes, I know what is like to live in a Communist/Dictatorship regime. Not that I need to validate my opinion. I am also a proud American. And I resent when people label you as Anti-American anytime one disagrees with the current"US policy", norm or criticizes the government. Just a thought Benson:
When people say they are American, are they thinking of the USA only? That may be a problemGǪ
______________________________________________
"The text you recommended speaks for itself. The point of departure and arrival for this author is that the US' actions are sinister - just connect the dots. The Anti-Americanism is so thick it drips off the page."
______________________________________________
Read it again with the US interests in mind. Who were our allies? These backstabbings have been repeated many times over. No matter how much we deny it, it is not the "people" we are trying to save. It is US interests. Mr. Powell was recorded as saying that he recommended the War be started as soon as possible otherwise it could be politically damaging to our President. Is this a good reason to go to war?
______________________________________________
"As I said, free discussion brings out the truth. And here is the truth in this matter. For just stating the simple wish that "God Bless America" you and RJMcMahon have unleashed your venom on me. I have been told to "grow up", "show some respect for others", and below you imply that I am a narrow-minded person who hides behind patriotic chant. Tell me, RafaelG, is this the way you hope to persuade me? Is this the way of "peace"?"
__________________________________________________
I am not trying to persuade anyone. I am in search of the truth behind this and it doesn't look pretty. I am not a snake.
__________________________________________________
"I'm enjoying this free discussion. It leads to all sorts of unexpected things --- like watching a "peace" movement that is bordering on neurosis, resulting in thugish behavior. Yes, RafaelG and RJMcMahon, George W. Bush is a tyrant trading blood for oil (how about those who call him a Hitler?), I'm a narrow-minded person, yada-yada-yada. This is "peace"?"
__________________________________________________
Neurosis, in my opinion, is what G.W. Bush has. He wants to do better than "Daddy".
_________________________________________________
"Do you know what the irony of this situation is? It was people just like yourself who have made a shambles of the UN, the forum you hold in such esteem. As you may recall, a few months ago the majority of Americans believed that the US should not go to war without UN approval. But after having seen the frenzy of anti-Americanism unleashed both within the UN and the "peace" movement, the majority swung to the other side, and decided we should just go it alone, if necessary."
__________________________________________________
I was opposed to dedicate money to something that doesn't pose an immediate threat as Mr. Bush advertises, when we can allocate the funds for better use. Yes, we can spend 75B on a war effort but our Firefighters, Police and all victims of Sep 11 have to go to court due to the US gov. trying to squirm out of some measly compensation. And all of this while I watch the local schools closing on my neighborhood. Do you really know the meaning of Democracy? Do you know who is really doing the fighting in this war? Are people that express an opposition to the US hypocritical policies Anti-American?
__________________________________________________
"Once again, I ask, is this how you hope to persuade people?
Also, once again: GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!"
__________________________________________________
I did not object to the remark. I objected to the content within the remark. Yes Benson, I hope GOD BLESSES AMERICA!
We are going to need itGǪ.
RG