08 Apr 2008, 3:11 am
08 Apr 2008, 9:23 am
Letting other countries vote for our president would be more pointless, and the result would be no different. And by the way, we have a variety of culture because many cultures from other countries become our citizens. I wouldn't be part Dutch, English, native American, Scottish, Irish, and so forth if this wasn't the case. Also, if you like France better, go to France. 
'sigh'
08 Apr 2008, 10:54 am
gekitsu wrote:
raggie:
i still dont think the holocaust analogy holds true for a comparison with 9/11.
i still dont think the holocaust analogy holds true for a comparison with 9/11.
As I've said, it was not at all the same situation. There are more contrasts than parallels, but some parallels can still be drawn, and lessons compared.
I think getting into a drawn-out debate about whether a particular analogy is correct to prove a part of my point or not is getting off the mark, so I'll leave it here.
gekitsu wrote:
and honestly... the resulting action of 9/11 had exactly one success, which was getting the taliban out of afghanistan. its up to armies with a proper plan to try keeping peace down there. the attack on iraq was pretty much without any connection to the declared war on terrorism - why attack a secular country that, albeit a dictatorial regime, is as much on the list of fundamentalist terrorists as the united states are?
Iraq was a mid-level terror supporter -- certainly not a bigshot at it, like, say, Saudi Arabia, which is the #1 supporter, exporter, and financier of global terrorism. Iraq was randomly targetted, it's true. Wasn't my decision. But you are misinformed if you believe Iraq did not participate much in terrorism, for, remember, when you're dealing with the Middle East, "moderate" carries a whole different meaning. It's relative to the fact that virtually all the Arab nations support and finance terrorism in major ways. So, Iraq was a "moderate terrorist" nation, and now that has ended. Your political opinions about the effects of the War of Terror are your own to have as you wish, but our soldiers in Iraq did not die for nothing.
gekitsu wrote:
i really just dont buy into american superiority...
Well, clearly! You're still over there.
All kidding aside, I don't believe Germany is a bad place to live (especially if you're white), and certainly under certain circumstances it's better than living in the U.S. I drive a BMW, and it's really sweet!
My favorite composer is Mozart, and has been since the Spring of 1999. I also love Bach's genius, and marvel at it almost daily. I probably enjoy more German products than I could number. But I am a patriotic American, and I have a very good lifestyle here in the states.gekitsu wrote:
great things happened in america (heck, id sure like donuts were more easily accessible over here) but not all and everything is golden over there, either.
you have a point of lauding those ideals of freedom and stuff... but why still reside in a stone-age version of pretend-democracy? why accept a legislature that forces a moral point upon its citizens instead of providing them a basic framework to live by their own (free!) moral points? why still attempt to force your ideas of statebuilding upon others? theres not much ring to the melting pot thing, when you make it a melting pot imperialism. (very much the behaviour we critizise NTs doing, by the way)
you have a point of lauding those ideals of freedom and stuff... but why still reside in a stone-age version of pretend-democracy? why accept a legislature that forces a moral point upon its citizens instead of providing them a basic framework to live by their own (free!) moral points? why still attempt to force your ideas of statebuilding upon others? theres not much ring to the melting pot thing, when you make it a melting pot imperialism. (very much the behaviour we critizise NTs doing, by the way)
Well, I think you're overwrought here in your thinking. America is not "imperial", and the presence of a moral conscience is not a drawback -- it is a strength. Europe is more morally lax than America (though we continue to slip down that slope, I'm sorry to say). In Sweden, families visit other families, take off all their clothes, and get in the jacuzzi. Most of us wouldn't do that here. It's not because we're "prude", it's because we have a sense of modesty, and that is grounded in our morals.
Last edited by Ragtime on 09 Apr 2008, 12:00 pm, edited 3 times in total.
08 Apr 2008, 3:19 pm
08 Apr 2008, 3:29 pm
09 Apr 2008, 11:26 am
09 Apr 2008, 11:28 am
Awesomelyglorious wrote:
Fred2670 wrote:
ALL FREE NATIONS DESERVE THE RIGHT TO
VOTE FOR THE LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD
VOTE FOR THE LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD
Why? The very fact that we are described as the leader is not a nominal position, but rather is a position based upon the nature of our nation. We aren't so much the leader, as we are powerful enough to get our way and I don't see a reason why our power, which exists due to American actions, belongs to those who do not belong to our group.
I totally agree with AG.
Awesomelyglorious wrote:
Why can't we stand on our own strength as we normally do? I mean, there are some recession worries but really the economy isn't *that* bad. The reason why everyone thinks we are collapsing is because of the media rather than looking at the facts, as our unemployment rate is still in a healthy range and we haven't dipped into recession. The major thing to worry about is a worsening of our conditions but likely we will recover.
Once again, 100% correct.
Last edited by Ragtime on 09 Apr 2008, 11:37 am, edited 1 time in total.
09 Apr 2008, 11:36 am
09 Apr 2008, 11:41 am
09 Apr 2008, 11:46 am
09 Apr 2008, 11:51 am
09 Apr 2008, 11:56 am
22 May 2008, 9:20 am
22 May 2008, 9:59 am
22 May 2008, 10:54 am
Fred2670 wrote:
The next President of the United States
should be elected by citizens of other nations.
If America is defined by its multitude of cultures,
and ethnic diversity and is truly the shining example
for other countries, then these other countries should
have more input and control over its direction. Only as
the states embrace globalism will they realize their role
as the worlds leader. Let America be the first world state.
Let its citizens be nothing more than "along for the ride".
The time has come for The United States to look outside
itself for the answers and acknowledge its brothers and
sisters on the world stage. The time has come to take
the first step toward peacefully coexisting with these
brothers and sisters instead of seeking the means to
rule over them. Give up your sovereignty baby..
a far greater thing awaits you
should be elected by citizens of other nations.
If America is defined by its multitude of cultures,
and ethnic diversity and is truly the shining example
for other countries, then these other countries should
have more input and control over its direction. Only as
the states embrace globalism will they realize their role
as the worlds leader. Let America be the first world state.
Let its citizens be nothing more than "along for the ride".
The time has come for The United States to look outside
itself for the answers and acknowledge its brothers and
sisters on the world stage. The time has come to take
the first step toward peacefully coexisting with these
brothers and sisters instead of seeking the means to
rule over them. Give up your sovereignty baby..
a far greater thing awaits you
Was I wrong to assume that this was a piece of satirical Sarcasm?
22 May 2008, 11:28 am
