Believe what you feel to believe Bob, but I am disappointed that you decided to take to using rhetoric.
The colonials where indeed in many cases "fat cats" although I couldn't claim that Benjamin Franklin had created anything close to a swivel chair.
Although it makes for a more dramatic picture historically, the colonies at that time were a thriving economical entity. Thus the difficulties for King George to accept the separation of such wealth.
We were able to beat the British troops by using this wealth to support the war machine. We were not a bunch of farmers with sticks as may be believed.
My questions about the state of the Sudanese economical situation for individual citizens was directed towards the severe and long drawn out famine in that country. Those that worked at that factory were the lucky ones.
Yes it is likely that decisions made by the peoples of the Sudan many years prior to the famine which if I am not mistaken began in the early 70's, have had a negative effect on todays governmetal system. Of course one could argue that this was in effect brought about by the European imperialism of Africa, where imaginary bounderies were put up by the European colonists to declare sovereignity over their "chunck" of Africa. This was done without regard towards the traditional boundaries set by the native peoples. This has resulted in much of what you see today in Africa. Tribal conflicts as these people have been forced into living with each other as being the same. We are guilty of the same behavior when we instituted the reservation program for the native Americans. There was at one time over 30 different tribes represented on Oklahoma reservations. Many of these were bitter enemies forced to live in a tight place.
I have seen first hand the effects of starvation on an individual. There is no way that a small child can be held accountable for what their parents and or government decides to do.
I hope that your "could have fooled me" comment was tongue in cheek.
I would be interested to know if you have ever been in a foreign country for a longer period of time. Preferably a 3rd world country.
If so, did you have a chance to spend any time amongst the people. Get to know them on a personal level.
Is it your habit Bob that when applying for a job, that you inquire if your employer is a known criminal? Even outside of work, is that standard operating procedure for you?
Walking a mile in someone elses shoes tends to widen ones perspective.
"THis analogy is so far removed from having any semblance to the Sudanese situation I can't even comment on it."
I believe my Columbian analogy to be quite valid. You do not wish to comment on it, because you feel it is not valid. It would be nice to understand why in your opinion it is not valid. Do not drugs destroy peoples lives. Cause deaths to users and innocent bystanders. What is the difference between a bomb killing 6 in a cafe, and a cocaine user killing 6 in a car wreck. What is the difference between terrorists mowing civilians down in the street with automatic weapons, and a group of drug trafficking gangbangers mowing civilians down in the street. It is a different kind of war tactic, but it is still a war.
Do other countries who wish to war on terrorism in their country and to their allies have the right to bomb our country if their intelligence shows cause to do so? You will argue that we don't support terrorism, but what if we do according to the country in question. I heard a song driving home yesterday, and some of the words stuck in my mind. "...you can have live in freedom if you live like me."
My comments about Nicaragua went unanswered, but the words of the song apply. As the single most powerful nation in the world, we have a responsibility to be a light. A beacon that other countries can follow. No they do not need to adopt our belief system, or our attitudes, even our laws, but the difference between politics and common decency can sometimes become obscured.
I have been on the position of being able to kill someone, I have also been in the position where one pull of the trigger would have ended it all for me, unfortunately the one holding the gun took his own life instead.
I understand that we disagree Bob, but I would say that it would serve you better to avoid blanketing statements over the events of our global family.
Just so you don't blanket me with the stamp of Liberal:
Yes I am very conservative. I do believe in the death penalty, but I believe in swift due process. 3 appeal system with a maximum of 5 years total to get appeal. I think it is cruel to lock up someone for 20 years and then throw the switch. Death is a means of paying back what you took, not revenge.
I am anti abortion(except in cases of incest and rape, or where the life of the mother is in danger)I am more for a free market and less for social welfare programs.
I believe that we need to develop the family unit more by putting the resposibility on ourselves. I remember a Bill Maulden cartoon a while back, that showed a shiny new abortion clinic and a run down slummy old folks home, and the caption read. "A society is judged by how they take care of their children and their elderly" Kind of bites into a serious can of worms.
There is one program though that I would support that I would be willing to pay taxes for, and that is maternity leave. I think it would be great to let the mother stay home with their baby for 1 year after birth. Meanwhile someone else who was unemployed could take her place while she is gone.
Strengthen the bond between mother and child, and provide a years worth of employment and experience for another person. It is only because I value the family unit above all other entities that I take this posture. (Yes, dads can stay at home too if that is what the family wishes.)
I am anti feminist, and pro equality. I don't care if you legs are better looking then mine, I should get paid just as much for the same job. (grin)
No, Bob I am not a liberal, just a God fearing man who believes that everyone on earth is my brother and sister, and I am not so eager to see anyone die regardless, since it is such a waste.(that includes my stance on the death penalty)
Who would I vote for President: Orrin Hatch
No I am not a republican or a democrat.
Dug |
