Quote from candletrader: The USA is indeed a quasi-Empire, with military bases practically everywhere... Here's the definition: "the policy, practice, or advocacy of extending the power and dominion of a nation especially by direct territorial acquisitions or by gaining indirect control over the political or economic life of other areas; broadly : the extension or imposition of power, authority, or influence..." Point out where the US has a policy of "imperialism." ''My voice actually reflects the majority of the world, who have stacked up against the nonsense that America is trying to sell about Iraq being a threat..." List the nations that belong to this alleged "majority."
Gotta go with Max on this. (Politics indeed make strange bedfellows). But no doubt about it. The contention that the US is an "imperialistic" "quasi-empire" is ludicrous. Max's definition of "imperialism" is exactly accurate. And I cannot see how you can possibly equate US foreign policy with this definition. Never have we attempted to expand territorially, nor have we even seized any natural resources when we easily could have. Instead, we rebuilt the decimated countries we fought (and defeated) with money and manpower. And then left. Japan went to war because they did not want to be dependent on other nations for the resources they did not have. In the end, losing the war was their greatest victory (long term). Same with Germany. Different starting objectives, but same end result. Imagine what the world would be like if Japan and Germany had won. Imagine what the world would be like if somehow the USSR or China had managed to globalize communism (as was their intent). Now, the MF's want to globalize their way of life. You want to live in the eighth century? How will you trade? (assuming you do). Maybe the Mecca Camel Exchange will go on an ECN system. Open outcry on goat's milk. Hit the bid on a harem using SOES. (Only 5 wives at a time...). If you think Saddam is not a global threat, then I don't know how to respond to this. Whether he is or is not working in collaboration with the MF's is virtually a moot point. What is important is the alliance against everything "American" (meaning democratic, and free). And Saddam will certainly try and take as many of us down with him as he can when he knows the game is over for him. And it certainly will be his destiny to go down. So it becomes incumbent upon us to prevent him from destroying the world as a parting shot. There are differences between right and wrong. And the Iraqi government......meaning at this point in time, one lunatic...is just out of compliance with the laws of man, of god (if god exists for you), and of the universe. So while I agree that there seems no real reason to wage war with the Iraqi people now, there is all the justification in the world for getting rid of Saddam. If for no other reason than to bring a murderer to justice. Seems simple to me. Bin Laden...same deal. All those that encourage, support, finance, train and harbor the terrorists that kill innocent civilians....same deal again. Where is the money coming from that is given to the families of the suicide bombers? They who supply these funds are too our (and mankind's) enemies. The planning on ousting Saddam is based on a very real threat to civilization. Don't be fooled by what you seem to think is rampant worldwide anti-American sentiment. It is just a lot of noise by a very vocal minority. In the end, the French (as the most glaring example of a non Islamic "free" nation) will ultimately side with the US. Because it is their survival that is at stake as well. This is not the world vs. the US as you seem to suggest. This is freedom vs. theocratic extremists. Or insane dictators. Either enemy is worthy of our best efforts. And we will prevail. No doubt about that. "Live free or die"...."Give me liberty or give me death". .."I regret I have but one life to give for my country". The list goes on. Americans will die to preserve their freedoms. It's worth the price. And don't forget.....I am seemingly one of the more "liberal" and "anti-war" of the populace of Elite Trader. Easy enough to look back on all my old comments. I am sure Max will concur. Peace (whenever possible) rs7
The title of my thread relates to repercussions, just in case you didn't realise ... the USA is merely continuing to create enemies around the planet through her aggression, so don't complain when the victims of US policy hit back... it is pretty much an inevitability... next time around, very few global tears will be shed for the USA, cos the world will finally understand what US foreign policy is all about... instead the tears of the civilized world will be reserved for the Iraqis murdered by the USA in her pursuit of control of Iraqi oil...
http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/01/26/sprj.irq.nuclear/index.html These pathetic madmen must be stopped... the USA is the only country to have used these weapons of mass destruction and they are threatening to use them again... America remains a threat to the civilized world... she has weapons of mass destruction and has threatened to use them... It is the responsibility... no, it is the obligation of the civilized world to drum some sense into the beligerant (but somewhat empty) heads of the US policy makers... If the USA nukes Iraq, it will be confirmed as the dubious sole member of the "axis of evil", by global consensus...
candle, c'mon! don't you see what the US is trying to do? They are trying to scare the bejeezes out of Saddam and his cronies. Its just a threat. I can't believe you would take it at face value and not get the real gamesmanship going on behind the curtain.
Babak... once the USA has finished off with Iraq, Iran is very possibly next... The only thing at work behind the scenes is a coalition of powerful lobby groups (significantly, the Jewish and Oil lobbies who, respectively, want Iraq weakened and control of oil Iraqi supplies... so I would not be surprised if these two lobby groups are co-ordinating their efforts), which are aided and abetted by an amenable media machine, thereby securing enough support amongst the masses, who are fooled into believing that hitting Iraq is about killing terrorists or eliminating weapons of mass destruction... where the reality is that its actually about oil control and swimming in the gratitude of thankful lobby groups... let's not forget that both lobby groups hold the keys to very significant sources of funds for "helpful" politicians...