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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sebastian on April 14, 2007, at 14:32:39
We are just making the whole world mad. Whats your opinion on it? World war 3?
Posted by Declan on April 14, 2007, at 15:03:58
In reply to We need to end the war - Vote, posted by Sebastian on April 14, 2007, at 14:32:39
When the British soldiers were captured by Iran it looked as if it could easily blow up.
By the time climate change destabilises a few more countries, this Iraq business will look like Suez. Just ancient history. It will take less time than you think...the next big thing and people (outside the region) will forget.
Sir Jeremy Greenstock, the British something or other, suggested that the there needs to be a withdrawal so the Iraqis could get sick of killing each other. There's that sort of ending the war, and I suppose its the only sort we'll get.
Posted by Sebastian on April 14, 2007, at 15:16:12
In reply to Re: We need to end the war - Vote » Sebastian, posted by Declan on April 14, 2007, at 15:03:58
Either we will kill them or they will kill themselfs. Which is better? I say its not our war. Why exactly are they coming after everyone else? Is this a religion thing?
Posted by Declan on April 14, 2007, at 16:47:37
In reply to Re: We need to end the war - Vote, posted by Sebastian on April 14, 2007, at 15:16:12
Since the break up of the Ottoman Empire at the end of WWI, the Western Powers have been interfering in the region, mainly because of oil.
As in other unfortunately placed areas (like the Balkans) the result has been disasterous for the countries concerned.
The religious feelings of (a section of) the people have been inflamed as they feel their way of life has come under threat.
Additionally, the prowestern regimes (of Egypt and Saudi Arabia in particular) have sought to divert the resentment of their people against them to the Western Powers, which these days means the USA.
That's my take on it.
Posted by Declan on April 14, 2007, at 16:57:21
In reply to Re: We need to end the war - Vote » Sebastian, posted by Declan on April 14, 2007, at 16:47:37
I mean, in WWI, my grandfather (from Australia) was fighting in the Middle East, against the Turks, I guess it became.
All that Lawrence of Arabia stuff too.
Posted by fayeroe on April 14, 2007, at 20:43:25
In reply to Re: We need to end the war - Vote, posted by Sebastian on April 14, 2007, at 15:16:12
> Either we will kill them or they will kill themselfs. Which is better? I say its not our war. Why exactly are they coming after everyone else? Is this a religion thing?
i will never understand why Americans think that they have the right to go into another country and start messing with their government. it just blows my mind. it's all about money. that's all it's about.
and of course, religion does play a big part. we have no business doing anything to interfere with their culture.
years ago Ross Perot said it best. "the people in the east get into a big fight about every 20 years and we need to stay out of it"....he was running for president then.
Posted by Racer on April 15, 2007, at 1:08:57
In reply to Re: We need to end the war - Vote » Sebastian, posted by fayeroe on April 14, 2007, at 20:43:25
> >
> i will never understand why Americans think that they have the right to go into another country and start messing with their government. it just blows my mind.Where are you from? I guess I just assumed that you were American. Guess that'll teach me.
Posted by caraher on April 15, 2007, at 1:58:33
In reply to just curious » fayeroe, posted by Racer on April 15, 2007, at 1:08:57
My understanding is that fayeroe is a Texan. Whether that also implies American can become a source of contentious debate...
A guy named Stephen Webb, a professor of religion where I used to teach, wrote an awful book a few years ago called "American Providence." It laid out one kind of answer as to why the subset of Americans who share his religious beliefs think the US has the right, no, the duty to play its part in "God's plan" through interventionist policies. In his religious fantasy world, the US and Israel are two nations endowed with some kind of God-given magical status that places them above consideration of such concepts as international law (which only really applies to all the other nations, untouched as they are by the special status God bestows on His Chosen Peoples).
I was most disappointed by the profoundly anti-intellectual thrust of his explanation for believing this is so. The bottom line was that this is simply a fact that right-thinking American evangelicals grasp by the grace of God or something, and the rest of us pawns simply lack the vision to see. There is no argument at all, simply emphatic assertion. It's telling that he quotes with approval the work of Carl Schmitt, a Nazi political philosopher, though he does have enough of a conscience to try to distance the elements of Schmitt's writing her draws on from Nazi ideology.
I first knew for certain that I was dealing with a tome from beyond the reality-based community when his thumbnail biological sketch of the current White House occupant asserted that he'd been a successful businessman. Though I suppose if you define "success" to include gaining wealth through bailouts by your father's friends and allies and to exclude sending the companies you lead into bankruptcy it's possible to make a case for his having been a success in business.
Posted by fayeroe on April 15, 2007, at 8:47:31
In reply to Re: just curious... and America's special rights, posted by caraher on April 15, 2007, at 1:58:33
i am a fierce American.
i am one who believes that we take care of our problems and live a life of being stewards.....not meddlesome. and i'd prefer a president that doesn't brag about being "the war president".
i speak at rallies frequently in Texas that are sponsored by a large internet group.
and Caraher, i totally agree with you about that "entitlement" that we seem to feel we have......i'm glad you read the book, so that i don't have to. :-)
read my post about the heartbreaking link that i received yesterday. i've lost more than i was ever willing to think about losing in this mess and as far as i can tell, the only thing i "gained" was that my SIL made it out of Iraq alive...but has horrible PTSD that the military can't seem to find enough help to do anything about for him.
Posted by AuntieMel on April 16, 2007, at 14:11:10
In reply to Re: just curious... and America's special rights » caraher, posted by fayeroe on April 15, 2007, at 8:47:31
"speak at rallies frequently in Texas"
Ever make it down Chewston way?
Posted by karen_kay on April 16, 2007, at 14:28:28
In reply to Re: just curious... and America's special rights, posted by caraher on April 15, 2007, at 1:58:33
in regards to texas, ect? (believe me, i deeply regret that dan quayle was from indiana. see, i deeply regret reminding anyone he was.)
i've always heard that silly song 'american woman' in my head when i open fayeroe's posts...yeah, i think she's a real, american b*dass (watching birds adn chickens fight!).
Posted by fayeroe on April 16, 2007, at 17:50:50
In reply to i was assuming sarcasm..(ref to dan quayle?) » caraher, posted by karen_kay on April 16, 2007, at 14:28:28
i am rolling laughing....."american woman, stay away from me""""........
i only speak in the Austin area, Mel. however, i'm not opposed to getting out of this area if it would help anything. i'm amazed at how much i like doing it. i never can get up the nerve to meet the individuals but i can stand up and speak to a huge crowd and make sense. i'd really like to be brave enough to meet the people, but i always get panicky and think they will think i'm nuts or something. i KNOW they would think i'm nuts.
rememeber the Dixie Chicks and what they said about Bush? i loved it when they won all those Grammys this year! i was screaming at the t.v. i think i thought they could hear me. maybe they did hear me and they will contact me and i can give them a speech.....:-)
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