CB, the USA's vaunted military power is not all that much of a dissuader of attacks. 911 was an attack, in case you forgot. The "if you want to live" component was irrelevant. <In fact, it comes from the Monroe Doctrine, which, in short form, translates as, "don't mess with us if you want to live." (Ask Japan.)>
Sure, a whole lot of Islamic Jihad has been killed, but a whole lot haven't. Osama for example, 5 years later. Perhaps Monroe's doctrine is out of date as a military manoeuvre.
A better way of avoiding attack is to not make people want to attack one. Which of course is not always sufficient to avoid attacks, as rape victims [as just one example] can attest - it's just in the nature of the vicious brutes who just love to attack.
One of the ways of causing people to want to attack one is casual brutal power. Commonly called bullying. The USA is a bit prone to bullying; lack of empathy. There was some karma in Tim McVeigh's attack - follow the trail of his act back upstream to see where it came from. His choice of poem is instructive too.
<we're doing our bit to keep New Zealand safe, as well.>
Really? That's remarkably generous of you. What, precisely, did you do? I haven't noticed the USA go an inch out of their way to help NZ. Though the reverse has been the case at times.
Anyway, there's not much you can do to keep NZ safe. The main danger to people is usually themselves. As individuals, they choose to scoff health-destroying "food" and toxins and otherwise harm themselves. Whole countries vote themselves down the gurgler, of their own free will. NZ has not made it to the bottom of the heap yet, but we are working on it. I don't think the USA can do much to stop the process. The best they can do is stand clear and take in the talented who wish to escape [as they have been doing for decades].
Similarly, I guess the greatest danger to the USA is from Americans having dopey ideas. Islamic Jihad isn't really likely to go marching down Main Street, Peoria, demanding conversion to Islam, or battling on the plains of Kansas to take over by force.
Mqurice
PS: BTW, it was a bit of a joke you [president of the mathematically illiterate] suggesting that children should grow up and be glad to learn their algebra. Here's a test for you; if 2x + 4 = 10, what's x? Want to try the Schroedinger equation now? Fiddle with a Fourier function? |
