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 : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Nadine Carroll who wrote (117708)	10/25/2003 11:40:21 PM
From: Sun Tzu	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

I don't know what the majority of Muslim people want - but the majority of Muslim governments are clearly anti-modern and anti-globalization, which is leading very many Muslims to pursue modernization by emigration. Great! Then we are in agreement that in general their populace does not hate our way of life too much, or else they would not have emigrated. To be sure they do not want to lose their identity either, but what you just said is a hell of a lot better than the clash of civilizations crap I hear from some people. The issue then is why are we supporting so many of these regimes? And don't you think that our support of these anti-modern governments rubs the Muslims the wrong way? You can make the case that by perpetually meddling in the conflict and imposing cease-fires and "peace processes", America has hurt Israel more than helped it I actually considered this point, but from a different perspective. I would say that if America had not intervened at all, one way or another the Arabs and Israelis would have settled their differences by now. You don't need to convince me which side would have won and how. It is enough for me to agree all concerned parties, including us, are better off if we respect others' right to solve their own problems. Of course they have been affected by the general tide of history for the last 200 histories. They're not alone... Ah, but it did not end with WWII or there abouts as it did with Japan and Korea. As early as a decade ago, we restored a corrupt monarchy to power in Kuwait without as much as even insisting they give women token right to vote. Now if that doesn't say we support the Emir (and all he stands for) I don't know what does. I would have found it far more acceptable to turn Kuwait into the model Arab state than invading Iraq for that purpose. Whatever the mistakes, it's real tough to argue they were better off under the Taliban. One would expect so, especially given how low you are placing the bar. But I think if you fallow up on that closely, you will come a very sad and different conclusion. If that should happen (G-d forbid), it's that Arab world that will change the most, and the fastest. You should worry more for them. Actually I worry about all of us on this planet. I really do. There are not many things that worry me, but the current trend towards the increase of hate, decrease in flexibility and tolerance, combined with the ever increasing destructive power at our hands is something that worries me every day. After the cold war there was a window of opportunity to move towards lasting peace on earth. The US was uniquely qualified to lead the world through that challenge. That window is now mostly closed. And I regret that deeply.