BS: Bush's *Big Stick* Foriegn Policy...

Subject: RE: BS: Bush's *Big Stick* Foriegn Policy...
From: Troll
Date: 20 Jul 06 - 11:27 PM

Ebbie, I know the difference between bi-lingual and multi-cultural. I do not believe that Canada comes under the definition of Bi-lingual. To be that, a majority of the citizens would have to speak two languages, in this case, English and French and I don't think that this is the case.

I speak a little French, Spanish, German and Japanese. When I traveled in Russia and Mongolia a few years ago, I learned not only a little Russian and Mongolian but also to read the Cyrillic alphabet.

I know what arrogance looks like too. I have traveled extensively in my life and have never been treated like I was treated in both France and Quebec. I did not demand anything. I asked for a little understanding because of the differences in language.
What I got was something else. I do not say that all French speakers treat non-french speakers the way that I was treated. But I have heard too many people - and not just Americans - talk about the complete distain with which they were treated because they were not fluent in French.
I do not demand to be catered to, at home or abroad, but I do expect that other people treat me with some small amount of respect. I will afford them the same courtesy.

You seem to be quite intolerant of people who don't agree with you and somewhat prone to stereotyping. It does not make me want to try to understand your point of view.

LH, you are right. I am not Jewish.

Call me paranoid, but when a group of people, whatever their reasons, say that their aim is the destruction of the State of Israel and the extermination of the Jews, I get just a little concerned.

So, yes, it's personal. I guess that I'm just not civilized enough to have any fellow feeling for someone who would kill my family if he had the chance, regardless of how justified he might think himself.

If you want to try to negotiate with such people, feel free. But don't put me down because I fear them and their stated policies. I will defend my family if attacked and I will try to neutralize those who threaten my family.

Please remember that it has only been in the last 60 years that the Jews have had any power to retaliate against their attackers. I think that most Jews are well aware of what it's like to be the poor and opressed and they have sworn "Never Again".

As far as radical Islamists taking over North America, remember that the aim of terrorists is to destabilize the government to such an extent that the people lose all confidence in it's ability to protect them. So the people overthrow or elect a government that will be more amenable to accepting the demands of the terorists and , gradually, they take over, either by proxy or by actually getting their people elected to posttions of power.

A pipe dream? Consider Mao. Consider present-day Spain. Sure, we've got the physical power, but if we won't use it, it's useless.

As I see it, that's what the Islamists are counting on; that the US is a paper tiger who will negotiate rather than fight or will try to buy off enemies with promises of aid etc. And then the aid money is used to outfit and train more terrorists.

Read "Danegeld" by Kipling.

We are in a similar situation today, trying to buy off people who use cease-fires to regroup and resupply and who regard negotiation as a sign of weakness.

I know that I'll never convince you that my attitude has any basis in reality and I hope and pray that we never find ourselves in a situation that will prove its validity.

But I'm not betting the farm on it.

troll

Subject: RE: BS: Bush's *Big Stick* Foriegn Policy...
From: Ebbie
Date: 21 Jul 06 - 01:19 AM

This is getting bizarre. Troll, are you putting me on or do you really NOT notice that it is NOT I who is saying the things you respond to?

THIS one is EBBIE. THAT one is DIANAVAN.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush's *Big Stick* Foriegn Policy...
From: dianavan
Date: 21 Jul 06 - 03:06 AM

Ebbie - He is not putting you on. He is very, very confused.

He is also, "...somewhat prone to stereotyping."

Subject: RE: BS: Bush's *Big Stick* Foriegn Policy...
From: Troll
Date: 21 Jul 06 - 03:07 AM

Ebbie, I appologize. As Pogo would have said "I is covered with rue."

troll

Subject: RE: BS: Bush's *Big Stick* Foriegn Policy...
From: Ebbie
Date: 21 Jul 06 - 10:12 AM

Ahhhh. That feels better.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush's *Big Stick* Foriegn Policy...
From: Bobert
Date: 21 Jul 06 - 08:49 PM

Well, hey, self defense is one thing and bullyin' is another...

And what the heck is wrong with negotiation???

At some point all wars come to an end and guess what??? It all comes down to talkin' terms... So why go fightin' 'um if you have choices???

What I resent is a foriegn policy that is based 'round bullyin' and threatenin' folks 'er demandin' that adversaries march to yer orders before negotiatin' with 'um...

This is what we've had with Bush and guess what, part 2???...

...It ain't workin'... All it has done is rile folks up and start more wars...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Bush's *Big Stick* Foriegn Policy...
From: Little Hawk
Date: 21 Jul 06 - 10:09 PM

I understand your viewpoint, Troll...although we see it differently. I don't see the USA as a "paper tiger" at all, and I'd be very surprised if anyone did, because the USA is an exceedingly aggressive nation which is in the habit of bombing and invading places, and has been for a long time, not because those places are a real threat to the USA, but because they are an opportunity to control markets and resources...if they will just surrender themselves to America's complete control willingly.

If not, vilify them, embargo them, sanction them, threaten them, bomb them, and invade them.

That's classic big power imperialism. It's been practiced by every major power...lately most notably by the USA.

That's not a paper tiger, it's a ravening beast.

But I know we won't agree on that. Well, it's okay. We don't have to agree on everything, after all.

You figure the USA is protecting you, so naturally you are in support of their foreign policy. I understand that, and I respect your right to have that opinion if it makes sense to you.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush's *Big Stick* Foriegn Policy...
From: Greg F.
Date: 22 Jul 06 - 09:00 AM

even if its nonsense.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush's *Big Stick* Foriegn Policy...
From: Amos
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 12:06 AM

Bush changes NASA mission statement - no longer interested in protecting our home planet
by John in DC - 7/22/2006 08:38:00 PM

After having given the shaft to blacks, women, Latinos, gays, people who have Parkinsons and Alzheimers, the budget, the environment, the military, veterans, New Orleans, Iraq and oh so many more, now they're giving the shaft to the entire planet Earth.

NASA quietly had its mission statement changed last February by the White House, who deleted the phrase "to understand and protect our home planet." NASA scientists were surprised to learn of the change. "Without it, these scientists say, there will be far less incentive to pursue projects to improve understanding of terrestrial problems like climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions."

As we quoted Charles Barkley the other day, "I used to be a Republican, before they lost their minds."

http://americablog.blogspot.com/

Subject: RE: BS: Bush's *Big Stick* Foriegn Policy...
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 01:03 AM

"NASA climate scientist James E. Hansen was following the space agency's stated mission. For years, his reports, lectures and interviews have helped people "understand and protect our home planet."

But his urgency about global warming in a December lecture earned him a threat of "dire consequences" for speaking out. After he advocated a remedy the Bush administration opposed, the NASA public affairs department decided to restrict his media interviews and prescreen his lectures."

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