marcinmoka

Do you honestly believe that the political, business and media elite, not to mention, millions of regular Americans and decision makers from other nations supported this operation so that Bush can "make his daddy proud", at a cost of billions, if not more, indirectly? Kinda of a crappy ROI, no? While it may not be overly PC to say it, the quest for resources and future financial stability lay at the very root of this. Whether to secure supplies for themselves, or at the very least, prevent future rivals such as China from acquiring all that their hearts desire, this one should be a no-brainer. Sadly, some are still stumped. At least Greenspan had not been so coy about it.

Bush & Cos, biggest mistake? Dumbing down the message with regards to what is at stake. While they obviously had to sell the issue to an often naive and happy-go-lucky public, painting the world with nothing but childish dichotics and catch phrases (good/evil, liberty, freedom, etc) hardly do the matter justice. Explaining that our prosperity and very way of life would of been far more reaching (though obviously less pc, granted, they never seemed too preoccupied with that issue in the first place). I find knowing that my children risk greater economic hardship to be far more persuasive argument. Shame they didn't.

The name escapes me, but I do recall hearing of a satirical novel in which the world is plagued not by ethnic conflict but inter-generational, and in which the older generations are bombarded by ads touting the benefits of euthanasia and such.

Is it? I thought it was quasi-popular in the 60's-80's, and relegated to US & Canada. Or are Europeans & Latino's excluded from the party?

"Superpower" or "Superpower like the US"? Obviously they are not the latter. In fact, no nation is, apart from the US. But a superpower on par with the likes of the other perm. SC members, of course. With that in mind, it may be high time to grant them a seat, along with India and Brazil.

Answer: Simple. Consumer preferences. People want more room, more gadgets, more everything. All this means more weight, which in turn needs more power. So while engines are far more efficient per unit of power output, people either want or need more of this power. A modern 4 Cyl produces as much power as many V8's from the 70's, yet consumes significantly less fuel. Whereas if you want to re-create that spartan, cramped feeling you felt in your 79' Civic, you could opt for a Smart FourTwo, and even than, you would have much better performance while getting 1.5 - 2 x the fuel efficiency. *As per your 50-60 mpg, where? I'm quite sure that the Chevette of yesteryear was still in the 20's, though I would love for you to prove me wrong.

I'm a little shocked that there are not certain elements on this board publicly expressing her support for the Chinese government in creating a secular paradise at all costs.

Patience is a virtue! Luckily our laws adapt to the situations they face.

No. Many people, if not most, people suffer such hardships, but very few seek it to justify violence. As per technology? You miss the point. When I referred to the 'manifestation', it had nothing to do with bombings, or hijackings. What makes modern terror so different is the target, which is sadly, civilians. Prior to, the targets were most often upon some organ of the state, or at least a representation. In life, as in politics, you often must sacrifice a pawn to win the match. Its no pretty, but you can never loose sight of the big picture. Are you seriously implying that your little anecdote is somehow the universal truth? If this was truly, the case, than the bulk of terror suspects would hail from Chad or Ethopia, and not Saudi Arabia, or even worse, Leeds and Mississauga. Considerable compared to the incomes generated by these disenfranchised peoples. 9/11 supposedly needed 0.5 million easily in direct, operational funds. While the 'cost effectiveness' was unprecedented, it still took considerable resources upfront.

Was this directed at me, or did you mis post an I.M convo?

The 'source', in absolute terms, perhaps not. But the way it manifests itself, absolutely. At least you've made no attempts to hide your occidental masochism. Though why is the West to blame? It takes two to tango, no? On the domestic level, I'm not so sure. On the wider geo-political level, I agree. Data? Not to mention, terrorism in most cases requires considerable financial means. Yet the financing for such operations obviously doesn't come from the deprived.

Who would of thought a very specific question would've resulted in your life story. Wow. Good for you! I guess one can never have too many copies of Dr. Suess or the Bernstein Bears. That's fascinating. Please, oh please tell me more! You're right. What's the point. Who am I to be arguing with your excellency, the Hon. Kuzadd, B.A, B.Sc, M.A, J.D, Ph.D, Nobel Laureate, Pullitzer Prize Winner, overall Master of the Universe and gatekeeper to all knowledge and the singular truth.

I take it reading is not your forté. Did you even read the reason WHY they republished it? I bet you Mr. Westergaard cares about this. As do journalists around the globe. Oh, such as using satire to examine the misappropriation of religious tenets for geopolitical gains? Why would anyone want to do that.

Understanding Terror Networks by Marc Sageman This seems as if it would be an interesting read. Shame I only discovered it very recently in a book review. Nonetheless, he attempts to define the modern day 'Terror Network', which according to him, is a loosely structured and diverse group, but with similar ideas, or "Freelance Jihad" But perhaps his most interesting bit is addressing the commonly mis-perceived notion that terrorists are blood thirsty, poverty stricken and ultra devout soldiers, which is odd, since according to most profiles, it is middle class, somewhat westernized and highly educated individuals ( most often engineers). According to summary in the Economist, they turn from these regular joes into terrorists via a 4 stage process: Source : The Economist Thoughts?

All while carefully ignoring small, but very vital qualifiers:"for certain small, but highly radicalized elements in Islam" But even then, what the %@ does this have to do with MY REACTION had westerners been depicted in such a manner. I for one, know how to take a joke, and (double whammy) respect the freedom of expression. Your 'logic' or lack thereof never ceases to amaze me.

Would it now?

I think my significant other summed it up best, upon hearing protests down Yonge St, she asked: Did I miss something? Did Canada invade Palestine?

For one, I highly doubt that Jews will turn this issue into a self-fulfilling prophecy. (i.e. ACTUALLY KILLING gentiles to make Matzo Balls.) But for certain small, but highly radicalized elements in Islam, they will only seek to strengthen the allegations against them. Apparently irony rubs off them.

Great. Now every pedophile and scum can just play dumb. In fact, their probably ditching their anti-virus software as we speak.

And was this unique to the aforementioned politicians? Preaching chaos, insecurity and poverty somehow strike me as having limited electoral appeal.

I've got trouble imaging a young M.Dancer rock the Hip Hop fashions of the day while rockin the electric boogaloo. http://www.geocities.com/lekdrol/gmf-blackandwhite.jpg As per rock. What was once the domain of countless leather jacket clad men riding their 10-speed bikes to the Beerstore to return empty bottles is now being resurected, and in a glorious fashion by the painfully tight pant wearing EMO generation. Rock on, Drea, rock on!

Yes, and any rational researcher would quickly realize that there was no remotely justifiable reason for those murders other than pure paranoia or sheer villainy. I agree. You seem to prefer it already wholly digested. Where honestly do you get your sources? Have you interviewed, spoken with any of the millions who have been sent to gulags? Refer to the above question regarding children. Does this by any chance, reflect current NDP policies for children? Anyways, I don't even know why I am arguing with you. You are either a little bit 'too special' to debate with, or merely, and most likely some attention seeking poster wishing to stir up controversy by saying the most blatantly stupid, biased, illogical and ill thought out ideas ever expressed outside of stormfront.org.

This "essay", plagiarized idiocy or inexucusable naivety? Dimitri, you into foreign films? You should check out this one, "Katyn".

Not very descriptive. While you may not AGREE with 'the system", you've failed to show how it does not work. But as always, whenever I meet an anti-capitalist who has grown up with the all the privileges only capitalism can provide, I'm inclined to ask: Can you actually define capitalism? 9/10 they can't. Can you? Can you differentiate it from Mercantilism?

While our freedom to assemble and protest our views is a cornerstone of our modern society, I can't help but feel revolted at how this privilege is all too often used and abused. Today, I was heading to campus at a particular Toronto institution and hoping for a quiet, uneventful night of studying. Yeah right. Simply getting to the doors was a battle. The reason: An expose on "Israeli Apartheid", with its usual collection of Chemagah wearing students and hippies, as well as its de rigeur "Pro-Israeli" opposition, waiving Israeli flags and placards. While in principle, it's but a harmless exercise of our political freedoms. But the reality was two large groups, an atmosphere filled with tension, shouting and a heavy police presence, and daunting for neutral students merely wanting to get into the library. Yet while I am relatively pro-Israeli, I'm just plain sick of these groups bringing a distant conflict, in such an in-your-face manner to a new front. And all this ironically, to a nation which attracts countless immigrants precisely because it grants so many a REPRIEVE from SUCH CONFLICTS. Hell, my parents and I moved here for precisely that reason. If you seek peace, why go to such lengths to bring your conflicts with you? Daily reports in the media are one thing, they help us keep tabs on the wider happenings in the world, all of which can have an implication on our daily lives. However, the posting of hate and promotion of divisiveness on what seems to be every other telephone pole, nonstop rallies outside of Indigo or Chapters, blocking access to school libraries and the obvious misuse of policing resources which could be deployed elsewhere, has to be addressed.