US condemns UN referendum in Taiwan

[bush_cheney2004]

Whatever the faults of this country, there's only one nation on this planet and at this time, that is an unquestionable leader in producing democratic rhethoric, by weight, volume or any parameter and whether such teachings were requested or not (but mostly the latter).

America specializes in advertising and propaganda....a job well done! But make no mistake....plenty of empty gum flapping in this regard comes out of Ottawa.

Methinks it's that propensity to preach and profess that creates certain misunderstanding, and not practical cynicism or cynical practicism, whatever you want call it, per se. When British did their business at the time of empire, it was for the queen, empire and glory. With the US, same things are done, of course, for the universal good. Does it have something to do with its protestant origins, where things (especially, uglier ones) simply cannot be called by their proper names, but should be expressed in terms of piety and universal goodness?

No, it is not for the universal good. It is for universal corporatism, unfettered trade, and economics (aka "plundering"). Except we have come a long way from beaver pelts and King Cotton. The United States of America is not even a name....it is a description for a collection of incorporated divisions.

Edited September 18, 2007 by bush_cheney2004

[jbg]

I do support Israel as far as it can achieve peaceful existence with its neighbours in the mutually agreed borders.

At issue of this topic, however is the principle to support of legitimate democratic processes. Not unquestionable support for something legitimacy of which is can be considered highly questionable.

I support Taiwan but its cause is far more questionable. It was basically seized by the fleeing Kuomingtan (sp) after they lost the Civil War on the mainland.

Israel is a place where there are strong, non-questionable ties by one group to the area, and where many so-called "Palestinians" migrated to the area after the influx of Jewish capital made it habitable.

[jbg]

If we suffered an international disaster, America would be here fixing it a whole lot quicker than the Cubans or Palestinians, giving you a chance to snivel that they're trying to steal our logs or some such.

The Arab nations sure did a bang-up job on the Boxing Day Tsunami, given that Indonesia is a Muslim nation.

And they literally did a "bang-up" job on September 11, 2001.

[kuzadd]

Do you feel this is true of every nation, or only America? In other words, do other nations have friends? Does Canada have friends? And when other nations act on our behalf, to help us out, if they're not doing it because they are our friend, are they doing it only in their own interest?

I do not think any other nation should have "friends".

All nations will and ultimately act in thier "best interest", whatever that best interest is "percieved" to be, and by whom is ultimately being served.

example of this is the SPP: Obviously Harper et al, feel this is in the "best interest" of someone, anyway, though it is clear, it is not in the best interest of the populace in general, or the populace would be included, instead negotiations go on behind closed doors, with politicians and business leaders. That makes clear, who's "interests" are being served.

Does Canada have friends?

IMO, no.

And when other nations act on our behalf, to help us out, if they're not doing it because they are our friend, are they doing it only in their own interest?

It could be to help out,genuinely and humanely , it could be to gain favour down the road, (self-serving) It's the same as any other act of altruism, why does anyone do helpful acts?

There can be any number of reasons.

The case of the US is unique, in that it is the sole superpower at this time. That puts the country in a different position then say, Canada. Alot of "sucking up" goes on, and of course, alot of bribery on the part of the US also.

Look at the Iraq war, how was the US public interest served by that?

The public was under no threat, though, the public was manipulated into believing they were.

Yet the government, needed the populace to be fearful, to use them,for support, monetary and otherwise, to justify the attack.

Who's interests were really served?

Edited September 18, 2007 by kuzadd

[myata]

No, it is not for the universal good. It is for universal corporatism, unfettered trade, and economics (aka "plundering"). Except we have come a long way from beaver pelts and King Cotton. The United States of America is not even a name....it is a description for a collection of incorporated divisions.

I'd agree with that (after all nearly everybody in this world is guilty of some sort of selfish behaviour that creates problems for others somewhere we don't see or care), except for America's quick and often insuffieciently (in my view) questioned preparedness to resort to violence, a "trigger happiness" of a sort. If it weren't for that, I would agree that, by and large, we're all on the the same footing.

[myata]

I support Taiwan but its cause is far more questionable. It was basically seized by the fleeing Kuomingtan (sp) after they lost the Civil War on the mainland.

Israel is a place where there are strong, non-questionable ties by one group to the area, and where many so-called "Palestinians" migrated to the area after the influx of Jewish capital made it habitable.

I doubt there's any point in repeating over and again the basic facts of history (like which nation did "Kuomingtan" belong to - or maybe you think they were some kind of aliens, by the sound of it?).

In any case, it's not in the scope of this topic.