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.

Strategies & Market Trends : Mish's Global Economic Trend Analysis -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: pogohere who wrote (107943)	2/5/2010 12:48:07 PM
From: SteveinTX	3 Recommendations Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 116555

Are you afraid of the politics of deterrence? Even a flimsy fence at the top of a cliff is better than a good ambulance at the bottom. We can't begin to imagine the number of really BAD things that did not occur during the last 50 years simply because the U.S. possessed the ability to project military power across the world. Granted, it's expensive and sometimes wasteful. But who can measure the savings (in treasury and blood) of all the bad things that didn't happen?

To: pogohere who wrote (107943)	2/5/2010 1:46:39 PM
From: Hawkmoon	Respond to of 116555

,i>I more frightened of how much of other people's childrens' blood you are willing to spill than of "100" bad guys in Afghanistan. And that means I'm afraid of the politics you espouse. Pogo.. the Taliban, and associated affiliates, have murdered over 500 innocent civilians in Afghanistan/Pakistan since last October. What cost in THEIR children's blood are you willing to pay by doing nothing to destroy those who would turn them into target, martyrs, or homicide bombers? The reality, distasteful as it may be, is that these corrupt regimes are extremely vulnerable to these religious fanatics unless we're there to stiffen their resolve as well as force their hand in creating progressive change. Pakistan is the greatest example of this today, as it's society is equally split between secularists and religious fundamentalists. Religious radicals have one potent selling point that appeals to many people, the belief they religious clerics are morally incorruptible and the only ones capable of bringing back honesty and decency in their society. It's a strong message that captures a lot of support. And it's primarily due to these secular regimes failing to establish and enforce a rule of law that displays accountability to the majority of the people. The problem is that these same religious fanatics ALSO believe that it's "the will of Allah" to force everyone else to follow their moral dictates and spread global Jihad. So you have a choice.. You can "invest" some capital now in trying to promote progressive change in these long forgotten backwaters in the global economy, or we can WASTE uncounted QUADRILLIONS in a future conflagration. We can assist/"motivate" the moderates and secularists in creating economic and political freedom in their societies now, or we can wait until we have no choice. Either way.. the children of those regions are the future. We can either assist in providing them opportunities for economic and political freedoms, or we can wait until they've become radicalized into becoming Martyrs. Your choice... Hawk