Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Formerly About Advanced Micro Devices -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: i-node who wrote (158822)	1/24/2003 2:37:12 AM
From: tejek	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1583737

Why do conservatives believe the opinions of our allies are not all that important? I can't really speak for ALL conservatives, obviously. But many of us have become frustrated with the notion that other nations really should have so much control over what we do in defense of our own nation. After all, France spends 1% of its budget on national defense, knowing full well we'll come to their defense if necessary. Same with Germany. So, while you and I pay for THEIR national defense, they side with Saddam Hussein for financial or political reasons. First off, you have to look at the notion that their opposition is not all politically or economically motivated.......particularly in the case of Germany. They really don't think Bush has come up with a good reason to go after Saddam. And just for the record, Germany has been one of the best in terms of going after al Qaeda terrorists. I don't care that much about the French.....they are comme si, comme ca......you never know where they will land and you certainly can't depend on them. But the Germans are solid, and will be important financially and in other ways once the war is over and Saddam is deposed. We are a big and powerful nation but no one and no nation can go it alone indefinitely. What colors all of this is that Europe doesn't like Bush. They like America but not its president. I am not trying to start a pissing contest here.....I am just stating the way it is. I think you might understand their attitude more if you see what they see when they look at Bush. I know, I know.......that would be a major undertaking for you. <g> I don't know your age, but you at least have heard of Randy Newman. One of his fine albums contained a song, "Political Science" -- a tongue-in-cheek look at this issue: leoslyrics.com It really has become a bit of an honest portrayal at this point. I know R. Newman from when I lived in LA. He lives in Malibu and wrote a song about LA. He's somewhat of a tricky guy and hard to read. I would suggest to you that you read the lyrics again.......I think their meaning is deceiving. At first, you get that he's saying let's show them....we'll nuke them off the planet. We don't need them and it will be fun to be without them. But in fact, if you look more closely, I think what he's really doing is mocking the imperialist attitude of some Americans. The attitude of the song is we are big enough and strong enough that we can do whatever we want and have the whole world to ourselves.....but isn't that the way a child thinks and acts; when he is ostracized, he wants to control everyone and determine everyone's fate. He says to himself: "I don't need them; I wish they were dead; I'll have fun playing by myself". The child doesn't want to look at what he's done wrong to end up getting ostracized. I think that's what Newman is really saying. The meaning of his lyrics is so obviously self serving, I don't think the first meaning one picks up on is the one he considers important. Besides, its real easy to blame others for our alienation but usually, we've done something to bring it upon us. That's why I worry about what the rest of the world thinks particularly at these times. We're a great nation but we are not perfect and can make mistakes. And btw, the Aussies who Newman wants to spare are not too enamored with us either......I found that out the hard way. ted