theloniusfleabag

Dear all, The 'supergun' was a development of Richard bull, a Canadian. If you'll recall, he was assassinated outside his apartment by the Mossad. If you'll also recall, the French were instrumental in developing Israel's nuclear capabilities. It would seem that 'free enterprise' is under attack here.

Dear KK and Hohenzollern, When I say 'colonialism' being viewed as worthy, I mean just that. I did not say 'practiced', though it is not far from the truth. When the British controlled India, mass immigration of Brits did not occur. They nly needed the top few percent of each industry, backed by military might, to reside in the 'colony'. India, at the ime, (and the world's nations today) depend on security to uphold order. Britain (and now the US) offer 'military security' in exchange for the right to control the profits of indigenous business. Indeed, it has been said, that free enterprise is 'economic anarchy, plus the police'. The British placed a few CEOs and a few police officials in each colony, or 'kingdom' in India to ensure that the companies remained 'onside' with the goals of the British Empire. They also offered 'security', so that each 'kingdom' would disarm and rely solely on the British military to save them from 'insurrection'. They even pitted 'princes against their fathers and kings' with the promise of wealth and power. this is not that much different from the US promising Halliburton 7+ of the 18 billion dollars earmarked for the 'restructuring of Iraq' if they ensure that the CEOs remain 'onside' with the US benefitting from the future profits. They also promise 'military security' to this end. Halliburton could be renamed 'The East Iraqi Trading Company' without too much difficulty. If you keep in mind that the Bush Family and Dick Cheney (and Condoleeza Rice, etc) owe all their allegience to oil money, (above freedom, democracy and justice) this is not a great stretch of the imagination.

Dear righturnonred, Are you describing the US? Or was that yesterday that the US did that? Or are you describing Free enterprise?

Dear KK, Which countries or lands that were not 'oppressive' did Alexander bypass and leave alone their idiomatic laws and customs? (not sure myself, actually)

Dear KK, Actually, sharing would be the opposite of greed. Perhaps being greedy on behalf of all mankind would be an acceptable form of greed, but in the US it is solely individual greed that is their 'foundation'.I have wondered about the founding fathers of North America, those that lived in 'mud huts'. Sod houses were the first dwellings of yours and my farmer great++grandparents, (after they killed off those pesky 'indians' who had no idea what property ownership meant) so I wouldn't be too quick to judge those that succeded despite conditions.

Dear Hohenzollern, Old fashioned alliances went out the window when the dollar bill got invented. Just ask the Weimars or the Hapsburgs. If one wants to keep one's 'house' in order, one must concentrate on one's house. Interesting that KK would use the word 'conquer' in one sentence, and 'free' in the next, to describe the same action. Non-intervention, or isolationism, in America, ended pretty much the same time as the end of global colonialism. The US, and others, still believe colonialism is worthy. It's just easier now, because you don't have to control a whole country to get all the profits from that country. You just have to own the dictator.

Dear rightturnonred and Mr. Read, er, Rasputin, So it seems that Iraq's great folly was to buy arms from France instead of the US? (not to mention trading exclusively in euros) No wonder they got labeled 'terroristic'. One used to be labelled 'red' if one didn't allow the US to rape one's country. Now the euro is gone and the mighty (and over-inflated) US greenback rules in Iraq once again!

Dear Rasputin, Read "The Politics of Heroin", I forget the name of the author, because I read the book while on 'rent' from the library. Yes, indeed, the CIA peddles heroin. And cocaine. How else do you think the Pathan Tribesmen of Afghanistan paid for $75,000 stinger missiles? Hashis and opium. Also read "Soldiers of God" by Robert Kaplan. Not as telling as the first book I listed, but very ggod regardless. The main character focused on in Kaplan's book is one Abdul Haq, a 'freedom fighter' against the soviets. If you'll recall, he was the one the CIA/US gov't sent in at the beginning of the Afghan incursion, and poor Abdul Haq was captured and hung in Kabul.

Dear KK, Actually, the warlords and Mullahs are still very friendly with the US. One of the reasons why the west only controls Kabul. If it were 'democractized' and modernized, heroin production would stop. Can't have that. It would also not be 'money well spent' if someone else got control of the heroin trade. Would you give a billion a year away?I refer you to the article someone posted here, from Gwynne Dyer. The US is trying to make it look like they are helping Afghanistan, without actually doing anything. When this ploy is used in the west, (such as building multi-million dollar homeless shelters and rehab centers without addressing the problems) it is called "conscience-salve".

Dear Mr. Hardner, There was only 1 vial of botulin found. In a scientist's fridge at home. It was not 'weaponized', meaning it was about as dangerous as a WMD as expired sandwich meat. Hence it is only referred to by very few as 'evidence'.

Dear rightturnonred, While the excuse of the 'cold war' tries to justify the actions of the US in the past, it cannot. The reason should be plain. The US supported (and supports) many brutal dictators throughout the world to ensure profits from the resources from those countries went to the US. (The right-wing claims that it was only to keep it out of the Red's hands) However, the US did not once try to 'democratize' these countries. They helped keep people under these brutal dictatorships. The reason? If a country were to become 'democratic and free', there would be a chance that neither the US nor the USSR would have gotten the profits. The country might have had the audacity to use the resource profits for themselves. That was then, and still is now, anathema to the US' way of thinking. No one has been able to take Afghanistan. Not the Russians, not the British, and not the US. Mind you, the only ones 'friendly' to the tribal warlords in the countryside of Afghanistan who control the heroin trade have been the US. The tribal Muslims, such as the ilk of those that perpetrated 9/11, are still on good terms with the US. I guess they also are the ones that the CIA imports heroin from. What a funny coincidence.

Dear udawg, I now feel bad for disliking Hitler, Stalin and Tito. After all, they were only ambitious. If ambition was a good thing. Wait, should I hate ambition now?

Dear KK and Morgan, The Melting Pot vs. Mosaic are not that much different, truth be told. The immigrant goes where they can be understood, both linguistically and culturally. Barrios, Chinatowns, and Bungal-adesh exist in almost every city in North America. English is, now, heavily influenced by foreign words. Perhaps this diversity will even lead to a more 'common tongue' that will include words from every country and culture. It's progress will only be impeded by the 'coalition of the un-willing to learn'.

Dear Mr. Read,, I believe the CDN media has not run with the story because the 'whiff' causes one to wretch. Arms interdiction, especially of the WMD sort, would be a good thing. I would expect that dictators that are 'moderate' (to the US) should have no worries, though. The 'coalition of the willing' that are displaying loyal 'interest' aren't going to interdict supplies from US manufacturers, are they? Again, this sort of 'global policing' should be in the hands of a non-aligned group, such as the UN, or any other world body that could be somewhat recognized as 'benevolent'. It should not be controlled by a country that wishes for, and actively pursues, global domination.

Dear KK, I agree. I diagree. Ambition, I believe, implies betterment. For one' self, and for those around them. Greed is for those who wish to 'get rich quick' and then kick back and enjoy sloth and apathy.

Dear udawg, I have mentioned, in the past, the need for the UN to wield an effective and credible military force, through utilization of member's nation's armed forces. I don't believe anyone replied directly to this idea. The problem I would forsee with a world body with equal voting rights is that countries that are, say for example, religion A, would seek to enable other countries that have large 'religion A' populations to take control of that country's gov't. Then, demographics and base warfare would undermine democracy on a global scale. Whom would declare a 'junta' legitimate?

Dear KK, Actually, I must shamefully admit that the World Human Rights Guide I used was my own copy, and I did no research on the internet for it. Any 'fault' regarding my information is that it is 'dated', not deliberately misrepresented. ( I won't say how dated, but not much has changed for many countries) The countries were listed, in my book, with percentile scores, out of 100. Tops were 5 countries tied at 98%, Canada only made 96%, and the US was at 90%. Crime stats were not given great weight in my book, as they do not represent 'political rights and freedoms', as they are between individuals, and not between gov't vs. the people. More 'weighted' questions were regarding the 'peaceful right to assemble in public, to travel outside one's own country, capital punishment, police search and seizure laws, the ability to practice one's own religion, and the freedom to practice homosexuality between consenting adults', etc. I did not say that they are 'gone' from the US, only that greed has taken over the #1 spot. Obviously, the name 'Church of Mammon' is a metaphor of my own creation. Just as my church, 'The Church of Sh*t Happens', and my diocese, 'Our Lady of Perpetual Cynicism' is also of my creation. Doesn't mean it needs facts for it not to be true. I shall give due consideration to how I will explain how, not only myself, but most of the world, believe that America is 'the land of the greedy'. I suggest you look at what America spends most of it's efforts on, not most of it's rhetoric. I will get back to you soon. A question, though. Do you believe that there is truly no difference?

Dear Morgan, Sexual abuse and the church are indeed a touchy (sic) subject. It is the church that represented the trust which was betrayed. If one were 'abused' by, say an employee at McDonalds, I guarantee the corporation would be sued, and not the individual. The individual could be tried for the crime, but for litigation purposes it would be the corporation that was 'delinquent' regarding insuring the safety of the customer. For aboriginals, it is a different ballgame altogether. They were forced to attend church operated schools. The children were often forcibly removed from their homes, under the auspices of the church, and subsequently had no choice in the matter.

Dear KK, I was asked to compare ONE country that was equal to the US on these points. I provided many who were above. As for the 'thousands of other things', I have yet to find one.The US has enshrined freedom, democracy, and equality, to be sure. But that shrine is a tomb. Are you asking how, 'in America itself' these virtues have been usurped, or how they falsely claim that their 'enshrinement' gives them the 'right' to 'free the world'? Moreso, I meant the latter, however, I can argue the former also. In America, Mammon is God. All things are guaged now on their serviceable value to this new god. The media does not report news that would conflict with HIS purpose. The fact that a JC Penny factory manager was charged with slavery (and sentenced to 10 years) does not make news in American mainstream media. Why? Because that sort of news would not serve Mammon. If there were only space for one story on the front page, and the choice was "US factory manager charged with slavery overseas" versus "Madonna french-kisses Brittney Spears", which story would I find printed? The one that serves Mammon. Always. To do anything else would be un-American. I have to go cook dinner for my wife. Once upon a time, this would have been news-worthy.

Dear KK, I will go out on a limb, here and make an actual prediction. IF Bush Jr. gets re-elected, men on mars will be cancelled as a project within 1 year. They may use the term 'postponement of development funding' but claim planning is going ahead, because dreaming costs nothing. The moon bases will be deemed 'too costly at this time' within 1 year, because there will be no 'foreseeable return on investment' unless they find oil on Mars. I expect that Mr. Bush, should he be re-elected, will use the vast expenditures required to finance these projects 'on the American People' to bolster his popularity in the time remaining in his 'possible' term. I love steak. Alberta Beef, if you please. I will buy you and the 'missus' KK a steak dinner or something of equal value if this does not come to pass(Within plausable limits).

Dear Elder, I agree with the first part of your statement. I shall just list the countries that rated higher in my 'world human rights guide' (they account for freedom, justice systems, and equality measures)Higher than the US for freedom, eqaulity and justice: Australia Austria Belgium Canada Costa Rica Denmark Finland Greece Netherlands New Zealand Norway New Guinea Portugal Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom Uruguay I deliberately left off France and Germany as these would be highly debatable to the right wing.

Dear KK, I do try to bash the US as a whole first and foremost. When I refer to Pres. Bush, it is because it would be silly to say Mr. Kennedy was responsible for the illegal acts of the US today. (Even though the US still honours 'dead presidents' images more than anything) I also read and think a great deal. I mostly despise talk shows, as they are sensationalist ('cause they need the money) and the host skews the results of debate, whether they be 'right or left'.

Dear KK, Witty. While Bush approaches another election, he must promise the American public 'the moon', greencards for wetbacks and the conquering of space. (Since he has so much between his ears). After the election (and here is another 'leftwing prediction for you) the space exploration ideas will be deemed 'too costly' (since there is no inherent value in men on mars) and someone will accidently ask him "you didn't just print more money to pay for this, did you?"

Dear KK, Ok, I did read this post previously. I didn't, at the time pay it special attention. Some points... The IDF, fighting against the Intifada in the 80's, hated camera crews that accompanied them on missions. The sight of cameras always drove people to actions they might not have otherwise commited. I understand this is called 'Jackass' in the US now. This part is true (Mostly, the part of Iraqis welcoming the US is dubious). Not sure where the clown part comes in.The rest seems to be run-of-the-mill biased reporting. Nothing out of the ordinary, except that if it was from a US reporter, he would be fired. The entire rest of the world sees it all to be true. You wouldn't beleive the anti-US sentiment in the rest of the world today. Actually, you probably would, if you didn't listen to US 'news'.

Dear KK, When I refered to Iraq being another Afghanistan, I was not kidding. The predictions have not been proven wrong, (I admit I do not know what Peter Jennings may have said) because Iraq has not been 'subdued' yet.