theloniusfleabag

Dear Hugo, If you have visited the UN website reaserching UN findings and recommendations you surely must have noted that 14 UN sanctions is a mere pittance compared to some of the big repeat offenders. The UN always will fail in crunch time as long as they fail to demand military support under exclusive UN command as a prerequisite to membership. The US since WWII has had the best equiped and funded military in the world, save perhaps Russia on occasion, but it is entirely staffed by trigger-happy idiots. All the way back to Stonewall Jackson, who was, typical of the US, shot by his own troops.

I for one do not desire anything the US has to offer except beer at 7-11 and voting on legislative bills such as capital punishment and decriminalization of marijuana. Everything else they can keep, such as drive-by shootings, wanna-be 'ganstas' and Jerry Springer. If this is what they count on as economic 'cultural' export commodities, they can rot in hell. Interesting, Dith Pran survived Pol Pot's brutal communist regime to emigrate to the US, only to be killed by a mugger in Chicago.

The US hasn't invaded N. Korea because they are generally full of BS. Iraq and WMD's? They went in there with only accusations, while N Korea offers proof and threats. It seems the only thing missing from the North Korea scenario is oil reserves.

No war you say, Craig? It has to be so, else the US violates international law. Mind you, the US has done so and flouted the UN before. Remember the UN mandate on the US invasion of Panama? "A flagrant violation of international law' but who cares, the US is above even the world police, because they spend the most money on guns. 'Don't mess with Texas' is the new world order.

Democratic socialism could work, and out-class free enterprise, if but one condition was met, and it is a very simple notion. Individual greed would have to be sated by knowing that what helps all, helps that individual equally. That is why christian values have no place in business. 'Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me ' is, by business standarts, communist claptrap. Except for 1 hr on Sundays, where one can buy front row seats in heaven.

Intifada has yielded no results except a rising death toll for years. (I urge you to read 'Intifada' by Ze'ev Sciff and Ehud Ya'ari, two Israeli reporters). Partly Israel and the US are to blame for rewarding terrorism by allowing it to foment negotiations. Both sides are to blame, to a certain degree, for both believe strongly in the notion of retribution above and beyond truth. Let it be noted, however, that all sides have no problem with murder to further causes.

Thanks, Fast Ned. To quote another politician, "If you pick up the paper in the morning and don't see your name attacked and besmirched , you didn't work hard enough the day before." Adolf Hitler. Another quote: If I had a choice as to whether your opinion of me mattered 'a little or nothing,' I would choose nothing, every time. Don' be afraid to think.

I find it difficult to believe that so many seemingly intelligent people can be so willing to turn a blind eye to the lies uttered by the US, and yet grasp so firmly to the few half-truths. While I agree Militant Islamic activists pose the greatest current threat to the world, (Actually I might give it equal rating with N. Korea) the battle can only be won by confronting Islam, not 'terrorists'. In fact, almost all religions have been guilty of mass murder at some point. Islam is merely the current offender. Israel was helped into creation by terrorism, notably the Stern Gang and the Irgun 'Freedom Fighters For Israel'. Terrorism is a method, not a place or a people. The so-called 'War on Terror 'is such a misnomer it is laughable.

To Truck Nor Trade With The Yankees. Anyone know who said that?

Dear FastNed, I do not have the particular book for an exact quote(it is at work) but "in 1986, Liberia was subjected to a military coup wherein almost the entire gov't leadership was liquidated, and a tyrannical dictatorship imposed. This dictatorship was supported by the US as it had large investments there." source: The World Human Rights Guide, 1987 by Charles Humana As to the other countries, especially Burma (Myanmar??) drugs are a major source of income for the country, a major source of disposable income back in the US. Afghaistan and Pakistan, and most of the 'Golden Triangle' have had their share of 'military advisors' and CIA make friends with the warlords at some point. For Burma, read "The Politics of Heroin" (I don't remember the author, I got it from the library)and for Afghanistan read "Soldiers Of God: The Mujahadeen in Afghanistan" by Robert Kaplan.

Adolish the IMF and the World Bank? The USA would never wear it, for that is 'the carrot AND the stick' with US foreign policy.

If one examines 'third world countries' and their regimes, especially the brutal ones, one will find the hand of the USA involved. Brutal dictatorships thrive if the profits go to US, civil war if not. There are countless examples, including Liberia from 1986 to today.

While I agree that the current conflict against 'terrorism' is a battle of right and wrong, I cannot believe that the US is claiming to be 'in the right'. One should examine what the 'summum bonum' is of each side. Both will be less than desirable.